Some fantasy authors italicize made up words, such as mithril and lembas in The Lord of the Rings, in the same way that most authors italicize foreign words in novels set in this world. Other fantasy authors do not italicize made up words, perhaps feeling that doing so serves no purpose since the words are not foreign in the world they are used. I prefer the latter method, at least partly for the reason mentioned. Which do you prefer, and why?

I prefer italicized words, solely for the reason that if it's foreign, or a part of the foreign world, I will know that it is. Not go scouring through a dictionary telling myself "I should know what that word is..."

I'm not really sure. I think in my novel I left it normal.

I usually italicize thoughts, so my words aren't usually italicized.

eruheran

In fantasy, you can usually assume if it's a noun and you don't recognize it, it's a word they made up.

Some fantasy novels have a glossary in the back of the book containing all the made up words, which is a good idea.

But if you have only one or two...

Then it isn't necessary.

I could see italicizing created words the first time you introduce them in the narrative, especially if that passage of narration is more encyclopedic and explanatory in nature. Ultimately, I think it depends on the feel you want for the book - and what is least confusing for the reader.

Hmm...that is interesting. Didn't ever think of that. I think I'm more in need of a Gazetteer...

It depends on if your words are foreign or not. If it's just something you invented that's every day ordinary than I'd say not. But if it's foreign to the characters, or of foreign origin, than it is a foreign word and it should be italicized as a foreign word. I use that with terms like Ras'hor. It's an insult, that's from somewhere everyone's forgotten, but it's not the common language or it would be in English, like the rest of the book.