Word count question

[klwilliams]

For me, proper manuscript format for submitting for publication is Courier font, 12 point, double spaced. The word count is 250 words per page, or ten words per line. My question, though, is that these days the word processor will count the number of actual words. For print magazines, my understanding is that what matters is how much space is filled rather than how many actual words there are, which is where the 250/page came from. Is this still true, or should I claim the number of actual words when submitting? (I'm not worried about payment. As usual, I just don't want to appear stupid.)

Comments

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Give them the actual number of words. "Casting off," as it's called, is the art of figuring out how those words will fit in terms of column inches. And it is an art, though I suspect that these days editors have computer programs that help. Either way, it's their job.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

I submit the actual computer count. As everything is written and submitted via computer these days, that's what seems to be done. You couldn't look stupid.

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

Actual word count. I do believe most publishers have a certain "style" they prefer to use, and would use the word-count to calculate space needed. No sense in confusing the issue.

And yes, there is no way you'd ever be considered stupid!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

What they said. You give 'em the actual wordcount*, and if they want to cast off any other way they can do it their own selves.

*I note in passing that different WPs will give the same document startlingly different wordcounts, dependent on how they count; but that too is someone else's problem, not your own.

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Most tend to be a little low. I always round up a bit, ie, if I get something like 4389, I call it 4500.

[fighter-chick.livejournal.com]

Word count, as counted by your word processor. Print mags live and die by word count. Newspapers used to go by column-inches, but now use word counts too since all layout is done online.

The formatting you're describing is not needed nor wanted by magazines unless their submission guidelines *specifically say otherwise*. They're taking your text and dumping it into whatever layout program they use--extra formatting on that text only causes more headaches for them. Frankly, using Courier and double-spacing as you describe will mark you as an amateur. Not stupid! Just not pro writer.

When you submit to print magazines, you almost never submit the article. You submit a pitch for/about the article, with a plan for where it will fit into the magazine, and a persuasive paragraph about why you should be the one to write the article. The exceptions are personal essays, which are usually accepted on spec (full text submitted cold). Often the mag will dictate to you how many words they'd like--most mag writers don't write the piece before submitting the pitch because of this.

Oh, and almost no magazine on earth will take a piece over 2000 words these days. There's not enough space, and magazine readers have the attention spans of gnats.

To whom are you submitting?

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Funny. I always use Courier and double-space. I doubt if I qualify as an amateur . . .

[fighter-chick.livejournal.com]

What do you write? I always love to meet other writers!

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Oh, you'd love aberwyn's books. Her latest is License to Ensorcell (http://www.amazon.com/License-Ensorcell-Katharine-Kerr/dp/0756406560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301618064&sr=1-1), which just came out. She also has a great fantasy series known collectively as the Deverry series (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=deverry+series&x=0&y=0).

[fighter-chick.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I got a Kindle for Xmas--I'll grab a copy of License to Ensorcell. You're right--it sounds like something I'd like.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks. This is good to know. However, the magazines I submit to are fiction-only, such as Asimov's and Fantasy and Science Fiction. F&SF still asks for print copies for submission, in Courier font double-spaced. I see that the submission format they suggest does say that the word processor count is fine.

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Yes, it always pays to check the actual sources. :-)

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Next you're going to tell me to read a manual. *humph* The very idea. :-)

[fighter-chick.livejournal.com]

Ah gotcha--not my area.

Xtal sent me over here, knowing that I've published in numerous magazines. But I've never published fiction. Totally different animal.

Though, fun facts to know and share: I've never submitted anything in Courier 12pt double-spaced in my life. Not even my book mss. Must be a difference between the fiction and nonfiction worlds.