Preparing manuscripts for electronic distribution
From: david.lee@[removed].net
Date: 30 Dec 1989
I am preparing a short novel for electronic release. Plain text seems safest but some readers want formatted. What works on the early browsers?
From: robert.hayes@[removed].com
Date: 13 May 1990
Keep it plain. Use short lines. Avoid tabs. Many read on vt100 and small screens.
From: carol.bennett@[removed].edu
Date: 08 Sep 1990
Send ASCII first. Offer a typeset version on disk if the editor asks.
From: helen.park@[removed].org
Date: 12 Jan 1991
For electronic, stick with 7-bit ASCII or simple 8-bit if the platform supports it. Line length 72 or less. No control characters.
From: mark.torres@[removed].com
Date: 05 Nov 1991
I tried sending a manuscript with tabs and smart quotes. It looked terrible on the recipient's system. Lesson learned.
From: susan.vogel@[removed].net
Date: 12 Apr 1993
We now ask for plain ASCII plus a printed copy for reference. Disks in 5.25 or 3.5. Label with exact format.