Do Indie Authors Really Need Style Sheets?

No, style sheets are not required. As an independent author, you have the freedom to steer your writing and publishing in the direction you want and you have the freedom to cut corners! Will this impact the quality of the final product? It is likely. It means the memories of the editors and proofreaders need to be relied upon more. It also can set up the awkward situation of a proofreader “correcting” words and style that were the author’s choice. In a complex or unusual manuscript, this is a frustrating time-waster that can produce inconsistencies. Inconsistencies can eventually present as mistakes to readers. If you are submitting to a publisher, their copy editors will usually create a style sheet. If you are hiring editors so you can self-publish, I recommend asking the editors whether their service includes a style sheet.