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One of the things that authors rarely do, at least in my experience, and which they should do, is provide the editor with a stylesheet. And if you are going to self-edit, a stylesheet is imperative. If the author provides a detailed stylesheet to an editor, that can save significant sums; it isn't going to reduce the editing costs to near nothing, but it will reduce it.
The stylesheet is many things. But the simplest way to begin is when you first introduce, for example, a character. Describe the character in bullet points on the stylesheet and as you add to the character's persona, add bullet points. This can help prevent name changes, color changes, style changes, etc.
The stylesheet should also list madeup names and terms, their spelling and definition. In addition, it should indicate when (and where) places and characters are introduced and discussed.
The stylesheet should not be a narrative fleshing out of anything. It is for the salient points that need to be consistent chapter to chapter.
You'd be surprised at how many errors you can catch with a good stylesheet by your keyboard.
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