Would you adapt the spelling in your short story for a submission to an American publication? My gut feeling is that it's a little contrived, yet it should be tailored to their audience.
Would you adapt the spelling in your short story for a submission to an American publication? My gut feeling is that it's a little contrived, yet it should be tailored to their audience.
Hello Dan
1. If the publication is open to writers of any nationality (but written in English), then I wouldn't automatically assume that you need to change anything. Similarly if the submission is for a competition.
2. Character nationality and setting are crucial parts of your stories. A character from East London with cockney speech patterns would read/sound ridiculous in Californian 'Valley' speak; unless it was part of the character's traits. Keep it real - as the Americans say. If you use a term(s) readers might not be familiar with, e.g. "Shall I be mum?", show what that means leading up to or just after you use the phrase.
3. Of course if the publication has rules that you need to 'Americanise' your manuscript then do it (within reason). If not, be true to your character(s) and setting.
Good luck.
Seeing as I recently heard Philip Pullman on the radio and read Partick Ness on Twitter both mention having to "Americanise" their work, I'd do it! Neither were at all happy about it, though, and PN is American!
Good luck.
Thanks all, very useful advice