Project Type: Copyediting
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 92,000 words

Overview

This sample project demonstrates the creation of an editorial style sheet, a key tool used during the copyediting process to maintain consistency across a manuscript. Style sheets are particularly valuable for longer works or stories with multiple characters, locations, and historical references.

Purpose of the Style Sheet

A style sheet acts as a reference guide for both the editor and the author, ensuring that details remain consistent throughout the manuscript and reducing the likelihood of continuity errors during revision or proofreading.

Key Elements Included

  • Character list: names, descriptions, relationships, and spelling consistency

  • Place names: towns, landmarks, and geographic references

  • Timeline notes: tracking important events and chronology

  • Style decisions: capitalisation, hyphenation, and punctuation preferences

  • Special terminology: historical terms, titles, and period-specific language

Example Style Sheet Entries

Character List

  • Eleanor Whitcombe – protagonist; schoolteacher; mid-30s

  • Thomas Hale – railway engineer; Eleanor’s childhood friend

  • Mrs. Davenport – headmistress of the village school

Style Decisions

  • “railway station” (not “train station”) to maintain historical accuracy

  • “schoolhouse” (closed compound)

  • Titles such as Mr., Mrs., and Dr. include periods

Outcome

The style sheet ensures consistency across the manuscript and provides a clear reference for both author and editor during later editing stages. It also supports a smoother proofreading and publication process by documenting editorial decisions made during copyediting.

Screenshots of an Editorial Style Sheet

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