Type Setting for Titles of Book Series

WITS editor Barbara Milbourn was asked a common question about how to set off titles of books and series of books.

I know that book titles are set in italic font, but in this next sentence, does the title of a series of books need to be italicized as well? She was a recluse, who spent all her time in her room under a pile of Sweet Valley High books and Archie comics.

Barbara answered: Consulting The Chicago Manual of Style, beginning with Books and Periodicals at 8.178 Freestanding publications through 8.186 Series and editions, this particular sentence should have the series names italicized as follows:

She was a recluse, who spent all her time in her room under a pile of Sweet Valley High books and Archie comics.

If you need a good editor for your nonfiction manuscript, Barbara is a great choice.