Non-US words/spelling

[allegretta12]

I got some unexpected advice from a freelance editor: that I should change my non-US spelling and word usage if I'm going to submit my manuscript to American agents/publishers. I feel really defensive about my Canadian spelling (I'm not willing to take the "u" out of "colour", etc.)

I'd be really interested to hear any advice, experience or opinions you might have on this issue.

[AnyaHarker]

Hm. Let me ask my own editor friend on that one and get back to you with what she says.

[Falen]

i don't know. I don't see why it would be a big deal. If they offer, they can discuss changing the spelling then, but i don't see it being a problem when you're just submitting.
It just seems like a lot of work for no reason

[AnyaHarker]

Spoke to Canadian editor friend and she said about the same as Falen did.

If they want to edit it once you get past acceptance, do it then. But look at HARRY POTTER. There's a US and a UK version -- both with different spellings... and in one case, a different title!

[allegretta12]

Thanks guys! Karma for your help I didn't know what to think ... if my story took place in the US with American characters then it would make sense to me to change it, but I don't think I'll be making any alterations to my Canadian spelling and phrases for now. I always thought it was strange that HP was Americanized. I think I remember reading somewhere that Rowling regretted altering Philosopher's Stone for the US market (unless I'm remembering that wrong).

[AnyaHarker]

If it took place in the US? I'd definitely say to alter it.

However, at the present, I don't think I'd do any sort of editing to Americanise it right now. (Yes, you can tell I'm a quasi-brit, can't you?) It was odd to change HP, but there's some words and phrases that Americans just don't know. Like jumper or vest -- we have different clothing for those words! ;^)

But don't look at me. I'm the American who has to remember to use American spellings while she writes right now. I'm just an adopted Londoner. 

[Mere Joyce]

I'm glad you've asked this question, because it is something that's only recently dawned on me (fellow Canadian) as well.  I can't even read a book without mentally placing the 'u' in words like 'colour'  so writing with US spellings seems really out of place to me!

My thought, however, is that it probably comes down to importance within the story, and personal preference...I definitely see an advantage to switching to US spellings for ease, but I think if an agent is really interested in the project, whether or not 'colour' has a 'u' in it shouldn't be that big of an issue.

[munley]

I'm a Yank living in Atlantic Canada. My fiction settings so far have been in the U.S., so I write in U.S. spelling. I work as a  in public schools here, so I spell the Canadian way when doing that.

I still have some U.S. checking accounts, so I spell it "check" when referring to them, mainly because it helps me keep it clear in my own head.  Bu I write "cheque" for the Canadian accounts or when writing to Canadians regarding a cheque.  My Facebook friends/family point out my "our" endings to me. After 5 years of living in Canada, it is more a habit so spell Canadian but I tend to end up with a mix of the two.  But Halifax Harbour, being an official name, always gets an "our" ending without my even thinking about it.

The advice not to worry about the spelling on submission is sound, I think. Somebody really interested in taking on your work has more of a say.  I can't imagine my first person American narrator getting put into British or Canadian spellings, though. It just wouldn't fit. Also have a novel going with an American character keeping a journal. Would not make sense to change that either. She simply would not write journal entries in anything but American spelling. I guess I wouldn't care for an anonymous 3-rd person narrator.

[ClaudeDancourt]

I don't think it matters. For me, the spelling should match the story. For an example, if you set your plot in Australia, use the australian spelling. If your MC are from the US, have them use the U.S. "or"... When you will receive a "sub" from an agent, simply tell him/her that the spelling matches this or that. If it is still bothering you, save your document with a different name (_spelling) and correct it. So you will have both versions. Good luck! 

[bodwen]

I have to write in American since I'm too worried about making a mistake in British.  Something embarassing like "he wore his lucky pants with suspenders to the job interview."  At least if the rest of the spelling is American they'll know that was a cultural misunderstanding and not intentional kink.

[MittensMorgul]

I think as long as you're consistent throughout the book, it shouldn't matter. The only time it would be a problem is what Anya pointed out: A jumper in the U.S. is called a sweater, and trainers are people who work with you at the gym (not shoes!). If the character is supposed to be from another country, be it Canada, the U.K., etc., they might use those terms, so it would fit with their voice. I read a lot of books by non-Americans, and I've never been bothered by the spelling or the terminology, as long as it's consistent.

And it bugs me, too, how they altered Harry Potter. I had no idea what a "sorcerer's stone" was, but we'd studied alchemy and famous alchemists in school, and I DID know what a philosopher's stone was, even though I grew up in the U.S. Some changes just might go too far. Keep it authentic for your character's voice, and it shouldn't be a problem.

[Midwest]

You could consider doing a simple find and replace for all the "our" words, then save the u-less doc as a U.S. version. I'm from Canada too, but I've been in the states long enough to have become indoctrinated to the spelling here and it doesn't bother me. But I'm here, and you're there, and if I were still there, I might be bothered.    I agree with whomever said to guide spelling based on location. If your book is set in Canada, stick w/ the "our" endings, eh? 

[munley]

  If your book is set in Canada, stick w/ the "our" endings, eh? 

Part of my orientation to Canada was that I should master how real Canadians spell the name of their country:

C, eh? N, eh? D, eh?

[Mere Joyce]

Ahaha, munley I've never heard this before!

Now...what do you do if your story is set in a non-descript /fantasy world?

[longknife]

This is going to be interesting.

My previous Canadian publisher wanted my novel in British spelling - even though it takes place in the Sonora Desert of the southwest USA.

My current New Zealand publisher hasn't said anything about it yet - and I'm waiting to hear from their editor. The novel takes place in 18th century California and I tried to write the dialogue in the manner of that time period - especially no 's.