Assignment 14: Fiction Writing Assignment No. 3
Publication
EngC 1011 University Writing and Critical Reading
Kevin L. Callahan
EngC Writing Instructor
call0031@tc.umn.edu
(612) 623-7685
Educational Goals:
Students should know how to format and self-publish their fiction writing to reach their intended audiences. Professional publishing is an extremely long and expensive process so many writers have turned to self-publication either on the web, on CDs, or with self-publishing programs like Pagemaker (an inexpensive professional page layout program) to reach smaller audiences.
Students will learn to format their text for publication in a small permanent volume of their short stories that they can take away from the class. The volume will have 23 short stories which will take up approximately 23-30 single spaced pages, including a cover sheet, table of contents, and back sheet. This estimate requires that each story be single spaced and use 11 point font. The final production will also use two-sided copying so the publication will be about 15 pages long.
Instructions:
1. Using your previously submitted short story, correct any mechanical errors noticed by your instructor and make any final changes.
2. Prepare a "photocopy ready" final version of your paper on 1-2 pages according to the "publication style sheet" that follows. Also see the attached example of a story using the recommended format. Single spacing and uniformity in appearance for the publication will allow it to be published in a relatively small physical space (1 to 2 pages per story and about 15 double-sided pages). This is needed in order to keep down photocopying costs. A copy of the final publication should cost between $2-$3 for those who would like one. Please indicate in a note attached to your final paper if you would like a copy or not (you are not required to order one). You may also order more than one. (This might be a good "present" for anyone helping with tuition).
3. To reformat your short story use the select all function on your text and set your font from the usual Times New Roman font to the Garamond font. Selecting your font is usually located in a pulldown in your word processing program or on the tool bar. If you select all and change the font, everything on the page will change together. This is a standard font and should be on your computer. If for some reason it is not, then use Times New Roman. Garamond was the font used by many 19th century book publishers and has a "subliminal" effect on many readers who have the impression that they are reading a professionally published work (This is therefore a good font to use on research papers for your professors).
4. Bold your title and make it 14 point font (It is the only thing on the page at the larger font size and bolded).
5. Select the author's name (your name) and the body of the text by highlighting it and set the font size to 11 point font (not the usual 12 point font for other papers). Put the word "By" in front of your name.
6. Single space the text (not double spaced).
7. Indent the paragraphs. Do not double space between paragraphs.
8. Center justify the text (meaning it will line up on both sides in a straight line). This is a button on most word processing programs. Writers usually "left justify" on drafts and only the left margin is a straight line. The right side is not straight. If you have a problem with large gaps between words on the final line of a paragraph, left justify that line so it resumes looking like normal spacing. If you cannot get the text to "center justify" for some reason, then "left justify" the document.
9. Post your paper on the Class Bulletin Board. This will allow for any last minute corrections if errors in formatting are made.
The Self-Publication Assignment. (10 points).
Assigned: Tuesday, December 5.
Due Date: Thursday, December 7. The short story assignment in "Photocopy-ready" format is due on Thursday and the story should also be posted on the Class Bulletin Board on that day. The publication should be ready for you to pick up next week on the last day of class i.e., Tuesday, December 12th. Reminder: There is a weekly quiz on the last day, but there will be no Final Exam for this class.