What’s a Style Sheet and Does Your Book Need One?

8 Sept

You’ve written a book. You’ve pored over every chapter, polished your prose, and now you’re working with an editor, or maybe editing it yourself. But have you created a style sheet?

If you’re not sure what that is, you’re not alone. Many first-time (and even experienced) authors haven’t heard of style sheets. But this simple tool can make a big difference to how polished and professional your book feels.

So, what is a style sheet?

A style sheet is a custom reference document that tracks editorial decisions: everything from spelling and punctuation to capitalization and hyphenation. It’s like a personal style guide, tailored specifically to your book.

It typically includes:

Spelling conventions (e.g., US or UK English? Realize or realise?)
Hyphenation rules (e.g., decision-making vs. decision making)
Capitalization preferences (e.g., job titles, terms like internet or Black)
Punctuation guidelines (e.g., Oxford commas, em vs. en dashes)
Numbers and dates (e.g., spell out one to nine, use numerals for 10+)
Key terms and names (especially important in nonfiction or memoir)
Formatting notes (e.g., bullet points, block quotes, heading styles)

Quick sample:

Spelling: US English

Hyphenation: self-awareness (n), self-aware (adj)

Numbers: one–nine spelled out; 10+ in numerals

Punctuation: Use Oxford commas; en dashes in number ranges (e.g., 1999–2005)

Why does this matter?

Because readers notice inconsistency, even if they don’t realize it.

If Chapter 1 uses “email” and Chapter 3 switches to “e-mail,” or if quotation marks change from curly to straight halfway through, it can create a subtle sense of confusion or lack of polish. Consistency, on the other hand, builds trust. It signals that your book has been carefully crafted, not rushed.

Who should use one?

Every author! Whether you’re self-publishing or submitting to a press, whether your manuscript is 20k or 120k words, a style sheet helps keep your book clean, clear, and consistent.

If you’re working with a professional editor, ask if they include a style sheet. (I do: it’s standard for every copyediting project.)

If you’re editing solo, it’s still worth creating your own. Even a basic Google Doc or spreadsheet can do the job.

Bonus: it saves time and money

A style sheet is a gift to your future self and to anyone else who touches your book (proofreaders, typesetters, even future you working on a second edition). It reduces the need for repeated decisions or rework. It keeps your editor from asking the same questions twice. And if you’re building a series or author brand, it ensures continuity across your work.