Spellcheck policy

[Dark_Logan_]

What’s the policy on Spellchecking applied on posting by Mods?

Being recognised/certified from an early age as mildly dyslexic I always ensure that my work runs through a word spell check at a minimum for corrections and amendments

I also use a colleague to proof read/editing of tales, and while it might not suit the grammar pedants I appreciate the odd typo can slip though every now and then, even with the upmost of scrutiny

My only thoughts being are Americanised spellings - where a z is preferred over a s far too often - counting against me. The only other red squiggles appearing in my work are against unusual character names/name variations. There’s a Lyndsay for example, over a Lyndsey in my most recent submission.

Not looking to draw argument but intrigued as my last two lengthier submissions have been ‘Sent Back’ for spelling errors but when I’ve run them back through words it’s just the above that are flagged. And then the end up at the back of the queue

Equally I’m not starting a fight with anyone from over the pond but I’m never swapping my S’s for Z’s either

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I normally used proper British spelling. As RubenR notes, that is not an issue.

If you are regularly having problems with odd names, you could make a note in the administrator box when you submit.

I would, if you wish, be willing to look at some of your manuscript, provided it is in a format I can handle and isn't inordinately lengthy. PM me with your email address and I will send you mine.

 

[Dark_Logan_]

Thanks for the offer - As mentioned I’ve already a proof reader and sacking her might prove tricky.

I’ve run the returned content through a Word spellcheck and resubmitted (genuinely no spellings flagged/amended) this was no different to what happened in the first instance and effectively the exact same text was then published.

I’ll just scratch it and put it down to experience.

 

[NotWise]

Thanks for the offer - As mentioned I’ve already a proof reader and sacking her might prove tricky.

I’ve run the returned content through a Word spellcheck and resubmitted (genuinely no spellings flagged/amended) this was no different to what happened in the first instance and effectively the exact same text was then published.

I’ll just scratch it and put it down to experience.

I just read parts of your most recent stories, and spelling didn't seem to be a particular problem.

Spell checkers don't find every problem. I have a special issue with homophones--cite vs site vs sight, taut vs taught, roll vs role, and so on. Those would be considered spelling problems, but the spell checker won't find them. A grammar checker can.

That said, there are numerous other technical problems, especially with punctuation and sentence construction, that Laurel could have cited as reason to send the stories back.

 

[Dark_Logan_]

See there lies the part of the problem I find. While styles differ universally from individual to individual without context, as an amateur, it’s hard to learn.

I used to make cakes, they were awful despite having all the equipment and the finest ingredients... nobody pointed out to me how you had to measure and mix the ingredients.

 

[KeithD]

While Briticisms are accepted here as they are recognized, this is a U.S.-based site and the sole submissions editor presumably is American as well (with any check programs she has being set to American standards). So, whereas a word might be spelled quite correctly by British style standards, it may be unfamiliar to the Lit. editor/programs. If spelling really is the problem in stories, it should be straightened out simply by noting the British-spelled words in a note in sending the rejected story back.

 

[NoJo]

I use Brit spelling on the whole, but happily use a few U.S. spellings too, such as "-ize" suffixes, which are generally acceptable in the UK.

I noticed that the "dialogue" v "monologue" thread used what I consider British spellings of those words. Or am I wrong?

 

[Emirus]

I write using UK English and have never had a problem. Which is gud beecos UK English is the ownly way to spel correktlee.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Some of my stories are written in an Aussie bastardised version of Pommy English, and I’ve never had a drama.

 

[PennameWombat]

<snip>
Equally I’m not starting a fight with anyone from over the pond but I’m never swapping my S’s for Z’s either

I’m an American who lives in Australia. I write stories set in both countries.

If it’s set in America, I set my word processor (Google Docs, Libre Office) to US English (color not colour, organize not organise, etc.) My American characters use American slang and I favor American English idioms (sidewalk not pavement, breakfast not brekkie, beer can/bottle not tinnie/stubby.)

If it’s set in Australia or other English-speaking countries, I switch my setting to Australian English. I use some Australian/British slang and idioms.

Note that in either a non-native character will use “their” slang but the spelling will conform to whichever setting I’m in.

I also have stories with aliens whose dialogue is very broken English, but the narrative is always proper grammar/spelling.

Just don’t mix.

Never had any acceptance issues on the grammar and spelling fronts. And readers don’t seem to mind although I assume they appreciate consistency.

 

[PennameWombat]

I use Brit spelling on the whole, but happily use a few U.S. spellings too, such as "-ize" suffixes, which are generally acceptable in the UK.

I noticed that the "dialogue" v "monologue" thread used what I consider British spellings of those words. Or am I wrong?

Both are acceptable in American English and are both used. Style guides differ, I personally tend to use the longer forms. Dialogue seems the more common one although I always saw/used “dialog” in reference to computer usage but “dialogue” for people speaking.

And for some reason, “monolog” has never looked right to me... even though I’m an American by birth.

On the other hand, I’ll never use “analogue” instead of “analog.”