No, I'm not going deaf. I just wish I had some way of knowing when they'd changed requirements in formatting out in the publishing world.
When I first thought about writing a book, I bought several books on how to get published, and inside included sections on formatting. NO! I will not tell you when this was. And NO! I didn't use a chisel and stone tablet. ::sigh:: You're worst than my children. Anyway, the rule (yeah, one of the few rules out there in the writing world.) was to type in Courier 12 and each page with typing on it had an average of 250 words. Thus, a 400 page manuscript would be 100,000 words.
Well, then computers took over and now they say, the above was for typewriters and no longer valid, unless you still use a typewriter. Then I wish you luck with the White-Out and just as messy white strips. Hated those things. The agents and editors might think it to be charming that you typed it on an old fashioned typewriter. Problem is, they'll think how chaming it looks in their old fashioned trash can too.
Now, you have to use the word count in the word processor. For example, MS WORD (2007) can automatically count the words as you type and show them to you at the bottom of the page on the left. Cool. AND, they tell us NEW Courier 12 is a true sign you're a newbie. Times New Roman is the preferred font. But of course they also say anything that is easy on the eyes are acceptable too. Myself, I rather use TNR until my agent/editor tell me different. That is, when I get a agent or editor.
If you wonder who THEY are, the internet. I read about twenty different websites to get this information. The one I trust the most was AGENT QUERY.
Oddly, I've found in contests, when I submit a entry in Times New Roman, I normally have higher scores (good thing) than if I submit it in Courier (bad thing).
And don't get me started on where the chapter should begin on the page, or where my stupid address on the title page should be or where I should place my damn name in the header of the manuscript! ::deeper sigh:: I do need my little pink pills more some days than others.
The really sad thing is now I have to add 15 to 30 thousand more words to one of my finished books. Hmmm, I guess that means, technically, it isn't finished, is it?
Oh, Carla. Sorry to hear that. I saw a discussion over at Evan Marshall's blog/Forum as well that most of the publisher's were switching to TNR and computer generated word counts. I guess the printing presses are finally coming into the current century.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about adding words. Although, I'd much rather add than cut always.
Good luck!
I would think if they are using computer word count, they would cut the number of words they want. Because using computer word count means a big manuscript especially if you write a lot of dialogue and then they say the trend is going to shorter, leaner books. I don't understand how that would work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post!!! I am behind the times because I didn't realize this and I plan on submitting this year!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! It's so nice to know I'm not alone.
ReplyDeleteNope never alone m'dear! LOL. The times they are a changing eh?
ReplyDeleteNow, this I don't agree with. I'd be very careful who I sent TIMES NEW ROMAN to. The manuscript could get rejected. Always check with the publisher. This should not be a general rule.
ReplyDeleteSince posting this, I've read on an agent's blog it isn't necessarily so. So here I am again, just befuzzled. And hoping I'm doing thorough research on what the agents like and are looking for in a manuscript. Since an agent is what I'm shooting for on my current book.
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