Music journalism question: words to column inches?

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I'll keep it brief: is there a standard formula for converting words/characters to column inches? What do folks here usually do when they're writing something that's supposed to be X number of inches long?

lurker #2421, inc. (lurker-2421), Saturday, 5 August 2006 16:53 (nineteen years ago)

all depends on column width and font type and size. for me, 200ish words equals six inches at nine point nimrod font.

Emily B (Emily B), Saturday, 5 August 2006 17:10 (nineteen years ago)

Boo to Editors who specify "column inches". Word counts are where it's at. Unless you're a staff writer of course and not some slumming freelancer..

Major Alfonso (Major Alfonso), Saturday, 5 August 2006 17:23 (nineteen years ago)

A slumming freelancer am I. First assignment @ this particular publication.

So, um, if I need to write a story that's 12 column inches long, and I can't get a hold of my editor...

(gulp)

lurker #2421, inc. (lurker-2421), Saturday, 5 August 2006 17:25 (nineteen years ago)

i'd say 400-450 words is a safe bet. when you send it, specify a few sentences to cut if it's too long.

Emily B (Emily B), Saturday, 5 August 2006 17:35 (nineteen years ago)

Cool, that's along the same lines as what I was guessing (350-500 words was my thought). Thanks very much!

lurker #2421, inc. (lurker-2421), Saturday, 5 August 2006 18:53 (nineteen years ago)

Get a copy of the paper you're writing it for (layout may be quite diff online), and (re Emily's mention of font etc),count how many words they get in a (vertical) inch, and estimate, allowing for indents etc. (guess if you matched the font and other specifics, and fixed your margins just right, you *might* get an exacto, but better to just allow for a few cuts, re xpost)You could also count how many words they get in 12 inches, but still an estimated match with your own "lay-out," but you're already cool with that, so far, so good.

don (dow), Sunday, 6 August 2006 03:24 (nineteen years ago)


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