Underlining instead of italics

M. Scott · Sep 10, 2011

Greetings. This question is short and simple.

About 10 months ago I was going over some instructions about MS formatting. On one of the pages belonging to an agent at Curtis Brown, which is a very reputable agency, it mentioned it'd be best to underline in a manuscript, not use italics. The logic was that the agent wouldn't miss it and the changes would be made later if published. I was under the impression it was somewhat standard. However, I don't see that habit happening in the SYW pages and it seems like I'm the only one doing it.

Is there something I'm missing or does it not make a difference altogether?

FabricatedParadise · Sep 10, 2011

From my understanding it's pretty standard to underline instead of italics. I believe that's for the type-setter (but I could be wrong). I personally change what I post in SYW to show italics instead. Maybe that's what others do to?

Chase · Sep 10, 2011

The manuscript guidelines I follow also require underlines where I want italics.

In try-and-see swaps of first chapters for sample writing and critics, I'm surprised at how many challenge underlines as holdovers from when my mobile laptop in my horse and buggy was an early Royal typewriter.

Worse are the ones who don't know underlines means italics and use them to indicate different things.

rainsmom · Sep 10, 2011

Underlines *are* holdovers from the old typesetter days. Not all guidelines require it anymore, and I've specifically seen agent blogs that say they prefer italics. (That wouldn't be everyone, of course!) When I turned in my manuscript nearly ten years ago, the editor specifically requested that I use italics instead of underline (and that I single space after a period). Otherwise, that was just additional work for their layout people to do.

I'm using italics. If I want to sub somewhere that requires underline, I can go back and make a separate copy. Somewhere way down the line when I've exhausted every other opportunity.

Smish · Sep 10, 2011

I use italics. And Times New Roman font. I'm a rebel.

Seriously, though, it's okay to use italics. You're not likely to be rejected based on your use of italics, any more than you're likely to get rejected based on use of TNR. Time's have changed.

That said, it is always a good idea to follow specific guidelines, of course.

Deleted member 42 · Sep 10, 2011

The reason for using underlining is that it's much more visible to the typesetter.

Secondly, there's more room for visible copyeditors' proofers' and typsetters' marks.

The typesetter, if the book is printed, is going to have to hand-set all italics passages, using a true italic font (your average end-user has an obliqued variant, and not the full italic suite with kerning pairs, ligatures, etc.) and hand kern.

I suspect in another ten years, this will no longer be the case, as printer technology changes, but for now, it's still fairly standard.

M. Scott · Sep 10, 2011

In which case, I'm not going to change my habits on it anytime soon. I prefer underlining myself.

-to smish -- I also prefer Times New Roman. Calibri is fine when drafting, but if I can get by printing a full in TNR to mail it, I do. On an 80k-word MS, it saves close to 20 pages and makes it easier to fit in a flat rate envelope

Elijah Sydney · Sep 10, 2011

Personally I use italics on SYW, as that’s how it is on my PC, and will be until it’s time to submit to a publisher/agent. When that happens I’ll do a find and replace, as, unless they specifically say not to, I’d rather use underlines to be sure they are not missed. On SYW, however, it’s not critical that the italics are noticed. Though I’d imagine that generally they would be. After all, when you read any published online literature, italics are used rather than underlines.

Dr.Gonzo · Sep 11, 2011

In the last short story I submitted before starting my novel I underlined instead of italics. When the editor got in touch to tell me I'd been shortlisted, she told me I didn't need to underline and that italics are now fine. However, that doesn't seem to be the trend.

blacbird · Sep 11, 2011

In these latter days, it probably doesn't matter. Underlining is somewhat easier for an editor to see, and it dates from the days of typewriters when italics weren't doable. And you had to do it with a pen or pencil.

caw

Underlining instead of italics

M. Scott

2024 will be my year!

FabricatedParadise

Can be bribed with circus peanuts

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

rainsmom

Feeling like an old timer

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

Deleted member 42

M. Scott

2024 will be my year!

Elijah Sydney

Delusional and loving it

Dr.Gonzo

Wonderfully Irreverent

blacbird