A question for the NaNoers (or anyone else)

[Icingsugar]

Hi, I'm Icing, and I'm a writer.

And I have a question.

Right now I'm writing on a novel that got started as a NaNoWriMo project, but that has recently taken over my life completely. Since I'm a novice novelist, I'm not going to rely on my own inner critic as I complete the thing, and now I'm at a stage in my writing where real reader's input is most valued. My writing method is an assembling of snppets, and finally I have a coherent first third of it, about 35k of words or 90-100 book-pages all ready as chapter 1 - 8.

A handful of my friends have agreed to read it and come with suggestions. But to do that, I'll have to get it out on paper.

Question is, how sould this be formatted for best readability? My first guess, and how I've been writing it, would be to fake a printed book. Print it out on it's 99 A5 pages, formatted and bound as if it was a pocket book. (see picture) But then I saw this guide on how a manuscript for a publisher should look, and it was all about big fonts, Courier and double line spacing on business sized paper.

So what do you suggest? I can get a handful of copies printed and spiral bound for free, and I want to make the best of it.

Someone well versed in readability and typography who knows their stuff? Or who can guess?

unformatted,
/Ice

(Since I was arsed about it: If anyone is curious, PM me and I'll mail it as a word file, but you'll have to print it yasself.)

 

[Black Tulip]

I used to work with a publishing firm years ago. But I do remember that double spacing is practical because of the room for coding errors and putting in comments.

 

[pop_54]

Hmmmmmmm

Yes mate that will give you and others an idea of how it will look in book format, it may not make the best format for editing and critique but will be a nice little excercise.

Publishing houses usually insist on manuscripts being submitted on A4 sheets printed in a common font like times or arial with double line spacing so each individual line can be scrutinised easily.

I've printed my entire NaNo tale 'as is' on A4 sheets in times and std single line space, a hundred and four of the buggers so far, and am about half way through reading it and anotating mistakes and alterations in the margin.


Good luck with it mate. pops........

 

[oggbashan]

If your friends are amateurs then give them space to write comments, query things and make suggestions.

The left margin should be wide so that no text is lost in the comb binding; the right margin should allow space for comments and markings; the text should be double spaced and at least 12 point in an easily readable fontLike this one - Times .

You should number the pages and chapters so that they can refer to page numbers or chapters. Give them a copy on a floppy as well so that they can do their comments on a computer.

To sum up - Give them space to tell you want they think.

If they are professional reviewers/readers, they can tell you exactly how they want it presented.

Hope that helps.

Og

 

[Wills]

Ice

Are you putting it out for feedback/editing or as a preliminary to a small print run?

If it is the former, I suggest you go the double line spacing route, easier to mark up with comments, corrections etc. If you can send out for editing/proofreading on a computer, so much the better. It is easy to use Word to highlight, insert etc.

If it is the latter then go with the book format, and see what your amigo's think.

Really pleased to see you sticking with it, I reopened mine for the first time today, post NaNo, I felt I needed the break. I'm am currently reading someone elses draft, it is a mighty impressive read and will absorb my next few days. After that, if you want to send me anything I would be honoured to cast my unprofessional eye over your words, certainly the extracts you posted show it will be more than worth a read.

Will's

 

[Icingsugar]

I used to work with a publishing firm years ago. But I do remember that double spacing is practical because of the room for coding errors and putting in comments.

Well, what I'm looking for is not really any edititng, not even remarks on grammar or language. THe feedback I ask for is more general: "Is any character not introduced properly?", "Do I linger too long on this or that passage?", "Does the chapter transitions work?", "Do you spot any lapses of logic?", "Do you follow the story so far?", "How bad do I suck?"

ANd I'll get it in person from them, so there is no need to write much shit doewn, I hope.

 

[Guest]

Hi, I'm Icing, and I'm a writer.

And I have a question.

Right now I'm writing on a novel that got started as a NaNoWriMo project, but that has recently taken over my life completely. Since I'm a novice novelist, I'm not going to rely on my own inner critic as I complete the thing, and now I'm at a stage in my writing where real reader's input is most valued. My writing method is an assembling of snppets, and finally I have a coherent first third of it, about 35k of words or 90-100 book-pages all ready as chapter 1 - 8.

A handful of my friends have agreed to read it and come with suggestions. But to do that, I'll have to get it out on paper.

Question is, how sould this be formatted for best readability? My first guess, and how I've been writing it, would be to fake a printed book. Print it out on it's 99 A5 pages, formatted and bound as if it was a pocket book. (see picture) But then I saw this guide on how a manuscript for a publisher should look, and it was all about big fonts, Courier and double line spacing on business sized paper.

So what do you suggest? I can get a handful of copies printed and spiral bound for free, and I want to make the best of it.

Someone well versed in readability and typography who knows their stuff? Or who can guess?

unformatted,
/Ice

(Since I was arsed about it: If anyone is curious, PM me and I'll mail it as a word file, but you'll have to print it yasself.)

Hello, Mr Icing, good on you for being a writer. I am Tatelou, I am an aspiring writer. You are cool.

As for yer questions, buddy, I don't have a bloody clue!

I'd just print it out on A4 paper on 12pt Times, with wide margins, double spacing for paragraph breaks, but just single spacing for line breaks. HOWEVER, if you can get these spiral bound jobbies done for free, GFI!

Lou, still writing her novel!

 

[Svenskaflicka]

As a person who has worked with typography, I can tell you that the only time you should use Courier, is when you want the editor to read no more than one page before tossing the manuscript into the garbage.