Page Count and Trim Size

[C.]

Please, I need some understanding. My manuscript which was written using the novel function of Movie Magic Screenwriter, has a line count of 25 lines per page.

I am planning to publish using a 5.5 x 8.5 trim size, but I've noticed published books in that trim size have a line count of 28-33 lines per page.

How will my manuscript translate to the later line count? Or do I need to do some adjusting based on the trim size I'm planning to use?

[C.]

Robert, the line count I'm referring to is on the draft and PDF

[C.A.]

Hi, I use an 8.25 x 8 trim size with Times New Roman 12 point font and 1 inch margins and have 30 lines per page, so you might have to go for a smaller trim size than that.

[C.]

Smaller than 5.5 x 8.5?

[Micah]

I think the trim size you pick should dictate the formatting. A draft is not a formatted manuscript. IMHO, you should take the draft and reformat it to fit the trim size you want, make sure it looks right, and create the pdf from there.

[Michael]

I agree with Micah. Formatting should be the absolute last thing you do. I do my own formatting, using Scrivener for the Kindle, and Adobe InDesign for the paperback. Scrivener compiles automatically, but in InDesign, I create a template based on my desired trim size and copy/paste from the manuscript as I build it.

[C.]

I just read something about InDesign today... I will look into it. I played with changing the line count yesterday by adjusting the line spacing. That may be the way to go if the templates don't adjust based on my trim size selection.