A good book flows like a river with twists and turns in all the right places to keep it interesting. Words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and parts—all must flow naturally along a well-worn, structured path so that the reader can move along easily with the current. Consistent style keeps the reader afloat.

It’s essential to have a quality reference guide to refer to during the preparation of a nonfiction manuscript. (It’s less important for fiction since poetic license is often exercised, but consistency is still important.) Throughout the trade book publishing world, the essential resource for editors and publishers is The Chicago Manual of Style. It is available in print as well as online for a subscription fee. This is the style guide I use when working on a manuscript. The Copyeditor’s Handbook and Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary complement Chicago guidelines.

The Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition)

The Chicago Manual of Style is the authoritative, trusted source that writers, editors, and publishers turn to for guidance on style and process. For the seventeenth edition, every aspect of coverage has been reconsidered to reflect how publishing professionals work today. Though processes may change, the Manual continues to offer clear, well-considered advice, as it has for more than a century.

Of course it’s okay to deviate from Chicago’s preferred styles, but the key is being aware that you are deviating from a certain standard and being sure that you have a good reason for doing so. If there’s no good reason, it’s best to stick with the tried-and-true.

The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

Here’s what Chicago has to say: “A good dictionary is essential to a manuscript editor. Chicago recommends Webster’s Third New International Dictionary and the latest edition of its chief abridgment, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary; both are revised and updated online under the imprint of Merriam-Webster.”