*Word limit* When you’re commissioned to write a feature, you will be told how many words you should write. Take this seriously! There’s rarely much leeway because a print publication especially will have allocated a space to it. They’ll know how many words approximately fit on the page. It differs from one title to another because of things like font, number of pictures used, headline size and so on. Some freelancers think that it’s fine to send in copy that’s too long so that the commissioning editor can choose what they want to include. But it’s YOUR job to ensure that you have followed the brief within the word count. A commissioning editor’s heart will sink if they’ve asked for 800 words and you present them with 1200. Editing that down will take a lot of time and effort. There’s a high chance they will just send it to you and ask you to cut it. As a general rule, unless specified otherwise, copy in a sidebar or box will be included in the overall word count. Having said all this, it’s fine to go very slightly over the word count – 50 words or so for most features. Never go more than 10% above the word count. Judy Yorke Senior Tutor