Language is more than just words on a page—it’s a powerful tool for immersion in storytelling. When language doesn’t match your characters, setting, or time period, it can pull readers out of the story instantly. Here’s why it matters and how to get it right. Characters speak differently Every character has a unique voice shaped by their age, background, education, and personality. Your characters’ speech, thoughts, and internal narration should match who they are. A Victoria

This rule applies to American English and follows The Chicago Manual of Style. New Hart’s Rules, Oxford Style Guide, doesn’t address voice explicitly, but British English generally follows this rule too. “Avoid the passive voice” is one of the most commonly repeated pieces of writing advice and one of the most misunderstood. Voice tells us whether the subject of a sentence performs the action (active) or receives it (passive), and the passive can be a valuable tool when used

Before your project starts, we ask you to fill out a Style Sheet. Our Style Sheet is basically a personalized guide to your book. It is where you tell your editor and/or proofreader about your book, your characters, and your specific preferences regarding grammar, punctuation, etc. While we typically refer to The Chicago Manual of Style and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (unless otherwise noted for American English), there will always be certain style preferences that are at