Word Count UK

lucky8 · Jul 3, 2008

Afraid this is a bit of a jumble in my mind and I'm supposed to be working on my MS so I'll just post as it lays;

Do UK based authors use A4 paper in Word to write? If so how do you calculate your word count? I've been multiplying the number of pages by 200 which come out a little short but that's no biggy.

Also I assume that in the UK it is best to submit printed material in A4?

Thanks all

Reilly616 · Jul 3, 2008

Yes it is.

And you get your wordcount by clicking the button that says "wordcount".

Seriously, that's the easiesy, quickest and most accurate way.

alleycat · Jul 3, 2008

This might help:

http://www.romanceaustralia.com/articles/wordcount.htm

Old Hack · Jul 3, 2008

Don't worry about page formatting in order to count your words: I've never known a UK editor be that picky (and I used to be one). Just use Word's built-in word count facility, and you'll be fine.

Print out on A4 paper, double-spaced, etc. There's a sticky somewhere around which details it if you need it. Perhaps in novels? Not sure, have a look around.

dpaterso · Jul 3, 2008

This is kinda rough rule of thumb, but what you gain in height with A4 over Letter-size paper, you lose in width. Word count works out much the same regardless of paper size. But, assuming the pages are double spaced with a default 1-inch margin, I'd multiply number of pages by 250 words instead of 200.

-Derek

Mr Flibble · Jul 3, 2008

I can only naswer for me but:

Do UK based authors use A4 paper in Word to write?

Yes.

If so how do you calculate your word count? I've been multiplying the number of pages by 200 which come out a little short but that's no biggy.

I use the wordcount function, and I suspect most agents would expect that count, rounded to the nearest thousand.

Also I assume that in the UK it is best to submit printed material in A4?

I use A4, but I doubt it's a big deal. It's the writing they are interested in so as long as it's formatted well ( wide margins, double line spacing) and it's easy to read, I suspect it'll be fine.

As always, if in doubt, check the agent submissions guidelines.

lucky8 · Jul 3, 2008

Thanks guys, that's a big help. Guess my novel is going to be a lot bigger than I'd thought.

seun · Jul 3, 2008

lucky8 said:
Thanks guys, that's a big help. Guess my novel is going to be a lot bigger than I'd thought.

Most first books are. Speaking from experience, I could have cut 25,000 words from my first book. OK, I still would have been left with a waste of paper but at least it wouldn't have been bloated.

Word Count UK

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