5/29/2023 0 Comments Jutoh cafeIf you use double dashes when you’re writing your first draft, now is the time to replace them with Em dashes. When you end sentences and speeches abruptly, “Hey-” she began, for example-these are where Em dashes should be used. Em dashes : convert double dash to EM dash.Ī double dash - is different from a hyphen, which is different from an En dash, and different again from an Em dash-of which this is one. ![]() Use the Advanced Search functions (CNTL/CMD+”h”) to find all tabs and remove them (they sprout mysteriously, so even if you’re sure you don’t have any in your document, search anyway). Tabs in your document can make some ebook compilers crash, or give error readings and refuse to import your Word file. They will automatically format themselves, when you do. In MS Word, make sure your options are set to replace quotes with smart quotes, then search and replace all single quote marks, then all double quote marks. Curly quotes give a better reader experience and most bookseller platforms require them. “Curly” quotes are formatted to enclose the speech, while “straight” quotes are the same for front and back. Single and double quote marks - be sure they are curly Last slow read through to catch all grammar changes, typos, etc. If you leave xxx’s or other marks in your manuscript to flag your attention for later research (and for why you might do that, see here), now is the time to search for all of them and replace them with the correct spelling/reference/fact. When I’m asked if I know any other languages I say “Yes, I can read and write in British, Australian, Canadian and American English.” Search all xxx’s and replace However, I’ve published both ways – native and US – and found it much less hassle to use US English, as readers raised with all other versions of English are quite comfortable with US English. There are valid arguments for publishing in your native version of English, and I’m not discounting them. Non-US authors should consider publishing in US English to avoid negative reviews and reader unhappiness. If you’re not familiar with the Search & Replace dashboard check out Tom Corson Knowles video for Mac users, or this resource for Windows users. Most of the cleaning up requires the use of the Advanced Search and Replace function in Word. These steps can also be reproduced in other text editors, but the functions might be called different names, or the process required to complete the step performed slightly differently. If you pay for someone else to compile your books, giving them a clean Word file will make them very happy and you will get your ebooks returned a lot faster.Įditors at traditional publishing houses will also appreciate a well-formatted Word file, for the same reasons you or your compiler will. If you use compilers such as Jutoh, Atticus or Vellum, the clean file will also reduce bad results when you import to those apps. ![]() Following these suggestions will give you a “clean” MS Word file that compiles to ePub and Mobi without mysterious blank pages and extra lines in it, and with chapter headings properly formatted.
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