First, a few of you are probably like What the hell is a CMoS, Jenn? Sorry. Totally fair question. CMoS = the Chicago Manual of Style, which is the industry-standard style guide used in North American publishing. It's a brick of a book, in iconic orange (though the 18th edition has a spunky yellow dustjacket), and "serious writers" usually have a copy on their shelves, even if they don't have the first clue how to use it. (LOL, maybe that was just me back in the '90s ...)

Since I'm a FT editor, CMoS is very much part of my day-to-day practice; I've even gone so far as to call it my bible. I mean, it is pretty holy to the editorial minded among us. SO MANY ANSWERS to vexing questions.

BUT if you are looking for quick, helpful answers to common conundrums, they have a very cool section in the Shop Talk section of their website called Fiction Plus. It answers some of the most common questions I get asked, from punctuation and grammar to manuscript preparation and fair use. Give it a gander at https://cmosshoptalk.com/fiction-plus/.

Hope this is of use!

xo