Music journalism question: words to column inches?

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

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..

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)

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.

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

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.