how do I create and retain a custom style?

In Word, I had a standard, blank document with my custom style. When I wanted to download text from an internet site, I’d copy the text from the browser page and then apply my custom style.

Is there a parallel in LibreOffice?

I tried to do this with a document, but when I saved it and then opened it again, the custom style was not available.

It should work in the same manner as for Word. I assume by “custom style” you mean you defined a new paragraph style and applied this to the pasted text? Can you please edit your question and provide a link to an example document?

I’ve to say the same, You can’t keep Page-styles and so on, or anything custom, i hope they easiliy intergrate that into the next version of Libre-office … That’d be greatly appreciated.