Do I have any control over the grammar of my novel?
English grammar is generally pretty black and white, but there are a few areas under debate. For instance, should a series of three have one or two commas? For example:
The coach was black, dusty, and large.
OR
The coach was black, dusty and large.
What happens if I write a novel using the first example, but the publisher/editor 'corrects' it to the second example? Do I have any say in the matter?
Note: I realize this is a hotly debated topic for some people, so please refrain from debating which example is correct. That is not the question.
1 answer
English grammar is anything but black and white. Everything is debatable, even the definition of "word".
Punctuation is not grammar. This is a punctuation question, not a grammar question.
Your publisher probably has a preferred style guide that they want their authors to use.
Everything is negotiable. Negotiations are all about who has the most clout. If you say, "Use the Oxford comma or I take this to Penguin," then if they say "Don't let the door hit you on the way out," you know who has the most clout in that relationship. Cormac McCarthy uses unorthodox punctuation. Cormac McCarthy has clout. Depending on the potential of your book, you may or may not have clout. Or they may just not care whether you use the Oxford comma or not.
Oxford comma FTW.
0 comment threads
0 comment threads