Formatting question...

rubarbb · Jul 22, 2007

Sentence Spacing
Definition: When the end of a sentence is reached, a period is inserted, after which either one or two spaces are inserted using the space bar.
Use in industry: When formatting a book for press, the spacing between sentences is reduced to a single space because the full justification of the printed page will add or subtract microspaces to achieve the proper length. However, most people learned to type/keyboard using two spaces, which is the standard for business. For the purpose of submitting a manuscript, an author may insert either one or two spaces, as they choose. However, if an agency/publisher has a preference as to a single space after periods, they will state this. Word processing software allows for global replacement of this, if necessary.

I read this on Aw and read a few other formatting notes that said to use a double space after the period. My question is, what do most everyone here use when submitting a ms, one of two spaces? Thanks...Ken

Shady Lane · Jul 22, 2007

I don't double space after sentences. And I don't think I could be convinced to do so.

rubarbb · Jul 22, 2007

Thanks Shady and congrtats on the book...

rubarbb · Jul 22, 2007

Anyone else?

Haggis · Jul 22, 2007

I untrained myself (quite easily) from using two spaces, and now use one. While two looked better on the typewriter, one looks better on the monitor. Still, as long as you're consistent with whatever you choose, I doubt it will make much difference. It's the story that counts.

reenkam · Jul 22, 2007

When I was little (aka 6-12) I used two, because that's what we learned. I never liked it. I think it looks funny. So then I started using one. I supposed I could still type with two, if I needed to, but no one's ever asked. I hope they don't really expect me to use two spaces if I go into business. I'd have to explain just how weird all the white space looks in the paragraphs...

rubarbb · Jul 22, 2007

Thanks, I also like one...

jodiodi · Jul 22, 2007

I write a lot for work, hence, I use 2 spaces out of pure habit. Sometimes I catch myself and remember to use one, but it's hard for me.

rubarbb · Jul 22, 2007

Yes, but what is the standard for ms submission?

Birol · Jul 22, 2007

Rubarbb, you're looking for a hard-and-fast answer. In this business, those are rare.

Manat · Jul 22, 2007

I just sold my first novel in January. I didn't know a great deal about formatting, in fact I'm still learning, but my editor insisted I reformat with chapter headings a third of the way down the page,26 lines per page, two spaces after periods,and she wanted all the underlined words changed back to italics before she'd offer a contract. I was more than happy to do it for her, particularly since she seems to have few issues with the more controversial aspects of the story itself. I guess every editor/house had their own preferences and style. I just got an offer on another book from the same house as per first right of refusal, but my agent wants to try it a few other places. He says I may have to reformat again, which is fine with me. I'd much rather have to do that than do big structural changes.

Jamesaritchie · Jul 22, 2007

Double

As a writer, I always double space after a period, and as an editor I moderately prefer double spacing after a period. Anything that gives me more room to insert proofreaders' marks is a blessing.

But honest to God, no one really cares. This whole single/double space thing got started because some unknown soul tried transferring format requirements for electronic publishing to manuscript submission. Other have grabbed onto it like it's some sort of rule, when the truth is no one cares.

The manuscript itself is not going to be published, so it doesn't make a rat's behind worth of difference whether you single or double space after a period. You can triple space, if you want. Shoot, quadruple space. Then I might actually have enough space to slip in a proofreaders' mark without my glasses.

Really and truly, no editor who has a clue, who has ten percent of a clue, cares. It changes nothing. Double spaces do give me a minuscule bit of extra room to insert proofreaders' mark, but 99% of the time, I'm not even going to notice, and neither is any other editor.

I'll guarantee no editor is ever going to get mad, or reject you, or start cussing because of how many spaces you put after a period.

Jamesaritchie · Jul 22, 2007

Manat said:
I just sold my first novel in January. I didn't know a great deal about formatting, in fact I'm still learning, but my editor insisted I reformat with chapter headings a third of the way down the page,26 lines per page, two spaces after periods,and she wanted all the underlined words changed back to italics before she'd offer a contract. I was more than happy to do it for her, particularly since she seems to have few issues with the more controversial aspects of the story itself. I guess every editor/house had their own preferences and style. I just got an offer on another book from the same house as per first right of refusal, but my agent wants to try it a few other places. He says I may have to reformat again, which is fine with me. I'd much rather have to do that than do big structural changes.

Was this a hardcopy manuscript? No editor in his right mind asks for underlines to be changed to italics in a hardcopy manuscript. Even if the editor likes it, the next person in line is going to hate it.

And it's completely abnormal for any real editor to ask for something like this to be changed before you're offered a contract.

rubarbb · Jul 22, 2007

Thanks to all who answered, guess I will go with one space. Congrats. Manat on your book deal. And Birol, yes I was looking for a quick answer. Jamesaritchie I agree about the underlines for the italics...everything I have read tells you to underline...

Manat · Jul 22, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
Was this a hardcopy manuscript? No editor in his right mind asks for underlines to be changed to italics in a hardcopy manuscript. Even if the editor likes it, the next person in line is going to hate it.

And it's completely abnormal for any real editor to ask for something like this to be changed before you're offered a contract.

Yes it was a hard copy manuscript, for a real print publisher and a real editor with a good distribution and books on the shelf in Borders and Chapters and B@N and the local Coles and Walmart and Zellers. Yes the editor was I believe, in her right mind. I was sent a style sheet and told to conform and resubmit, and THEN was offered a contract. One of my friends is a USA today best selling author and she told me that her editor is also asking for italics rather than underlined as well, as have the editors of some of the folk in my writing group. I was surprised as all the how-to books said otherwise, but it appears the times are changing. They can't all be abnormal or insane.

Broken Wing coming in November 2008
Judith James
www.judithjamesauthor.com

Ziljon · Jul 22, 2007

I double space.

JamieFord · Jul 22, 2007

Screw it all...I'm quadruple spacing from now on. (Kidding)

And yeah, weirdness on changing the underlines back to itals. But hey, you got the contract.

scarletpeaches · Jul 22, 2007

I'd never heard of double-spacing after a full stop before joining AW. I've always single-spaced and always will.

Susan B · Jul 22, 2007

I double space, can't seem to train myself out of it.

I think it doesn't matter much, as long as you are consistent.

Susan

Manat · Jul 22, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
I'd never heard of double-spacing after a full stop before joining AW. I've always single-spaced and always will.

I used to single space as well and I couldn't figure out how to change it with find and replace, so I went through all 102,000 words and did it by hand. A friend has since shown me how to do it, so now I'm writing with a double space, but if a different house wants it switched I can click and drink coffee while the comp does most of the work.

Cate · Jul 22, 2007

In writing for magazines I am finding many wanted double spaces when I began, but now more are asking for a single space...

Now, when assigned a piece, I just ask the editor what they prefer before I start if it isn't in their guidelines.

Birol · Jul 22, 2007

Manat said:
I used to single space as well and I couldn't figure out how to change it with find and replace, so I went through all 102,000 words and did it by hand.

That sounds painful.

Soccer Mom · Jul 23, 2007

I double space. I think I notice a generation gap in many of us who do that as opposed to you whippersnappers who only single space.

I submit a lot of short fiction and preferences vary. Unless submission guidelines specify (most of these are electronic submissions) then I just leave the double spaces. I've never had an editor complain about the double space.

Haggis · Jul 23, 2007

Manat said:
They can't all be abnormal or insane.

Yes they can. They're editors.

Uh, just kidding, all you editors out there. :gone:

rubarbb · Jul 23, 2007

Manat;1493345]I used to single space as well and I couldn't figure out how to change it with find and replace, so I went through all 102,000 words and did it by hand. A friend has since shown me how to do it, so now I'm writing with a double space, but if a different house wants it switched I can click and drink coffee while the comp does most of the work.

Manat, I write in Mocrosoft Word and wondered if I could switch from one to the other. What program do you use and if it is MS Word, how do you switch? Thanks...Ken

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