Which English? |
Author: Dave Pearson (---.252.208.159.Dial1.Chicago1.Level3.net)
Date: 07-10-08 14:02
Hello new person here, just joined. Currently writing a fantasy; I'm about halfway through.
The first question revolves around the fact I am in America, but English, and I'm spelling (and checking, etc) in my native language. If this gets as far as a printed submission, am I creating a problem for myself?
Will an American agent dismiss something not spelled in American English? I know that is thinking far ahead, but it is something I need to know before I finish and then embark on the really hard part.
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Derek Wayne (---.mooreindustrial.com)
Date: 07-10-08 14:29
Dave,
I am Canadian, and have had things pointed out by American readers that they think are spelling mistakes. They're not wrong, and I was told that if I want to appeal to the American market, it need to be aware of the subtle differences in language.
DW
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Dave Pearson (---.252.208.159.Dial1.Chicago1.Level3.net)
Date: 07-10-08 14:41
Okay, just to clarify.
I want to write in my own language unless I really CANNOT do that because anything other than American English is unacceptable to American publishers and agents.
Is there a hard and fast rule on this?
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Gravity Fades (---.43.18.203.nw.nuvox.net)
Date: 07-10-08 14:55
I don't think there's a hard fast rule, Dave, unless it's "story trumps all." In other words, write it the way feels most natural to you. I doubt anyone will get hung up on, say, "colour" vs "color", as long as the red blood draws them in! *G*
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Re: Which English? |
Author: nom de plume (---.ptldor.dsl-w.verizon.net)
Date: 07-11-08 09:21
I agree with Gravity and suggest you write in what it's most natural and comfortable to you. Changing the colour-color and centre-center conventions will be easy fixes. The danger is that sometimes we use different words altogether and you may not know all these differences. If you in your Americanized novel write about the bonnet of the lorry, this would come across as rather strange.
My mouth fell open when a new expat from England asked me at work whether i had a rubber for him. We had a good laugh when i learned that he wanted an eraser and not safe sex in the workplace at ten in the morning.
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Christopher Chance (---.range86-139.btcentralplus.com)
Date: 07-13-08 12:42
Hi Dave,
when in Rome...
Regards, Chancer.
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Dave Pearson (---.252.134.91.Dial1.Chicago1.Level3.net)
Date: 07-14-08 14:35
Well I need to clarify again it seems.
What I mean is, I don't want my English spelling "fixed" later.
If it ever gets as far as being accepted, I want it published in English.
My story is not set in America so I don't want my work "redone", unless it cannot be published without giving in to that.
Hope this is finally clear.
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Gravity Fades (---.43.18.203.nw.nuvox.net)
Date: 07-14-08 14:42
Your request doesn't seem out of line to me. Tellthem what you'd like done at the start of negotiations.
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Donna O'Dwyer (71.239.131.---)
Date: 07-15-08 07:52
Hi Dave,
I'm new here too, but I have experience with this issue of British vs. American spelling. I've edited many dozens of books for publishers, and there is a standard rule that I was required to follow:
Always change British spelling to American spelling for American publishers.
Many authors argue with their publishers over this point, but I haven't seen one win yet. It just gives the author a rep for being arrogant--insisting that his or her country knows best. (Not saying you are arrogant--just that I've heard publishers say it many times.)
If this issue is very important to you, it may be easier to sell your book to a British publisher.
Good luck with it.
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Re: Which English? |
Author: Dave Pearson (---.252.212.20.Dial1.Chicago1.Level3.net)
Date: 07-18-08 14:52
Thanks Donna,
Well thats bloody depressing. I didn't really want to swallow the extra postage to send manuscripts home, but I suppose I do not have a choice now.
England it is then, sod America.
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