So, I am Canadian, and proudly so, but I was wondering while submitting to an American agent should I put it in American spelling? (ie colour spelled color, harbour spelled harbor, ect.)
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Canadian, Eh? (A question about spelling)
- Thread starter darrtwish
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Dunno, I was told to write in whatever language I was comfortable in and submit in that since its pretty easy to change it.
I am also Canadian and actually caught heck from some critters for changing colour to color since a lot of them had read the original then the rewrites and noticed I changed it.
Cant get a Canadian agent (or are there any? I am not at that stage yet lol)
I am also Canadian and actually caught heck from some critters for changing colour to color since a lot of them had read the original then the rewrites and noticed I changed it.
Cant get a Canadian agent (or are there any? I am not at that stage yet lol)
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Leave it the way it is. If you sign with an agent or sell it to an American publisher, you can deal with the changes then.
Same goes for critique partners. I get helpful comments like "That's spelled wrong." Well it isn't wrong to me, so I gently tell them I'll leave it until instructed otherwise.
Same goes for critique partners. I get helpful comments like "That's spelled wrong." Well it isn't wrong to me, so I gently tell them I'll leave it until instructed otherwise.
It might depend on where your novel is set. If it is in the U.S., it might be a good idea to use U. S. English.
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Don't change it. I'm Canadian, published in the states, when I write my MS and send it to them I spell things the way I spell them, and then they change it to suit the American spellings.
Not worth worrying about it. Seriously.
Not worth worrying about it. Seriously.
What Toothpaste said. My publisher is Canadian, distributes in Canada and the US, and changes all my Canadian spellings to the American ones.
Well, it's a good question but not one to loose sleep over. ^_^ Keep your Canadian spelling in your submissions. In fact, maybe folks like us should add many neighbours, colours, theatres and centres to our stories to boast that we're proud to be Canadian. Just a thought, eh?
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I got my NYC agent with a manuscript using Canadian spellings. And for my first book (non-fiction, American university press) i insisted they keep the Canadian spellings and they did. Not an issue.
Woo-hoo! I love all the answers given on this thread.
I'm in Canada but originally from the UK. I use UK English and terminology for most things and I've never had a problem.
I'm in Canada but originally from the UK. I use UK English and terminology for most things and I've never had a problem.
I asked a similar question yesterday and the answers were pretty much the same as you're getting here.
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Don't worry about it. Those sorts of details are dealt with at the editing stage.
Linnea
I agree that it's not worth worrying about. This is a simple search-and-replace issue for the American editor if you prefer the Canadian spellings. For myself, I've been using American spellings for several years because I like to do whatever the hell I feel like most of the time, and the American spellings are a bit more brief overall.
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Loonies to quarters? Really? Why would they do that? That's not anywhere close to the equivalent denomination.
I am no expert, but I'd assume that you stick to your own spelling. There are many books published for American audiences from Canada or England, and the spellings are not changed to match North American traditions.
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Actually yes the spellings are changed (heck Philosopher's Stone was changed to Sorcerer's Stone in zee first HP) - I have personal experience with that. The point is, it isn't the author's responsibility.
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