Play/drama score formatting

AlexBell · 10-20-2012, 04:36 PM

A publisher for whom I design ebooks wants to discuss adding stage plays to her catalogue. I vaguely remember seeing some discussion about formatting plays, but several minutes searching the forums has not found any relevant posts.

Could some kind soul point me to discussions of formatting plays for ebooks, please?

Toxaris · 10-20-2012, 05:05 PM

I think <dt> and <dd> can be used quite nicely for that...

AlexBell · 10-22-2012, 03:02 PM

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that.

MacEachaidh · 03-03-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toxaris

I think <dt> and <dd> can be used quite nicely for that...

Sorry if I'm being slow, but what does this mean? SGML, maybe? I've got no experience using it.

I'm interested in the OP's question too, so I'd be grateful to know about your suggestion. Thanks! :-)

SBT · 03-03-2013, 02:04 PM

@MacEachaidh: <dt> & <dd> are tags used for creating definition lists in HTML

I've used <dl>/<dt>/<dd> for drama (and also for endnotes). One big advantage is that the fallback formatting for reader systems that don't support CSS works well. With CSS, you can format them any way you like, of course, but I think it's a good idea to have something similar to the default, since screen width is a limited resource on most e-readers.

Remember to avoid page breaks after <dt> with page-break-after:avoid or an equivalent solution. Avoiding page-breaks inside the <dd>'s as well is something to consider.

An example of how I've used <dl> in dramas is here (in Norwegian, but CSS is CSS, wherever in the world you are)

MacEachaidh · 03-03-2013, 02:57 PM

Thanks for such a detailed reply, SBT. It's genuinely appreciated! ;-)

Edited to add: Yes, I've checked out your epub you linked — great job! — and I see why you're suggesting it. Perfect, thanks very much!

10-20-2012, 04:36 PM	#1
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Play/drama score formatting A publisher for whom I design ebooks wants to discuss adding stage plays to her catalogue. I vaguely remember seeing some discussion about formatting plays, but several minutes searching the forums has not found any relevant posts. Could some kind soul point me to discussions of formatting plays for ebooks, please?

03-03-2013, 02:57 PM	#6
MacEachaidh Browser Posts: 745 Karma: 578294 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura HD	Thanks for such a detailed reply, SBT. It's genuinely appreciated! ;-) Edited to add: Yes, I've checked out your epub you linked — great job! — and I see why you're suggesting it. Perfect, thanks very much! Last edited by MacEachaidh; 03-03-2013 at 03:04 PM.

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10-20-2012, 05:05 PM	#2
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	I think <dt> and <dd> can be used quite nicely for that...

10-22-2012, 03:02 PM	#3
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Thanks, I hadn't thought of that.

03-03-2013, 02:04 PM	#5
SBT Fanatic Posts: 580 Karma: 810184 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Norway Device: prs-t1, tablet, Nook Simple, assorted kindles, iPad	@MacEachaidh: <dt> & <dd> are tags used for creating definition lists in HTML I've used <dl>/<dt>/<dd> for drama (and also for endnotes). One big advantage is that the fallback formatting for reader systems that don't support CSS works well. With CSS, you can format them any way you like, of course, but I think it's a good idea to have something similar to the default, since screen width is a limited resource on most e-readers. Remember to avoid page breaks after <dt> with page-break-after:avoid or an equivalent solution. Avoiding page-breaks inside the <dd>'s as well is something to consider. An example of how I've used <dl> in dramas is here (in Norwegian, but CSS is CSS, wherever in the world you are)