Bluenoseuk

It might sound something simple, but I would really like to know what other people use when writing, what font is best? I've heard different things like, as long as the font is a clear one then thats fine. However, I've also heard that you can only use fonts like TIMES NEW ROMAN or COURIER. Does anyone know if this is true, or are there other fonts you can use? I usually use TIMES NEW ROMAN in 12pt.

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daniela

It is true. You have to use a monospaced font, and both Times New Roman and Courier are monospaced fonts. If you do not use a monospaced font, your word count will be completely thrown off, among other things.

--DM--

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Wyndham

I think any of the fonts with Times or Courier in the name work. Times is the default font for my Word program. I was once specifically asked to submit in Courier, but that was a long time ago. Requirements also vary a lot now because of on-line submissions.

Definitely 12 pt

Lynn

It's my understanding the submissions should be done one of two ways.

Courier or New Courier -- 12 pt.
Times New Roman -- 14pt.


I perfer the Times New Roman.



Happy Writing,
Lynn

Spudley

There's plenty of fonts available, but if you're submitting something for publication, it would be best to stick with the tried and tested Times New Roman font.

No-one ever got rejected for submitting with that, but there are editors around who will reject you for using something else.

In any case, when the time comes, it's going to be printed in their choice of font anyway, so why quibble about it now?

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Apsu

I am new here so first of all "Hello All".

I have been doing alot of research about submission lately and every single thing i have read says to make submissions in courrier 12pt and no other font. Really it doesn't matter to me because I'll just write in whatever I want and alter it when its time for submission, but I rather like courrier anyway. Its very clean looking

bobothegoat

For some reason I like the look of Comic Sans MS size 10, but though it looks nice, it propably wouldn't do well if I ever send anything to get published.

For that I'd say Courier. Times New Roman is not monospaced. I know because I lined them up on word and tested it. Courier and New Courier are the only monospaced fonts I know of

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Spudley

You're right there - Comic Sans is considered a major faux pas when submitting manuscripts, or for anything else where you want to be taken seriously. Don't use it!

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wgjones3

The conventional wisdom is a Courier font with 1 inch margins all around, because Courier is a monospaced font, and each page of text will contain roughly the same number of words (I think it's 200). Therefore, an editor will know if the manuscript sitting in front of him has 500 pages, it's a 100,000 word manuscript. In a day of electronic typesetting, this is becoming less and less vital.

I prefer writing in courier new because it's a heck of a lot easier on my eyes than Times or any of the other non-monospaced fonts.

cdm

I like ZapfEllipse BT 12 pt. and Goudy OlSt 12 pt. and have never had any objections. Comic Sans and Bernhard are no-no's.

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daniela

Now if I was still in high school I could rub this in my tenth grade English teacher's face.

--DM--

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Ralizah

New Times Roman is the standard for publishing, as others have already said.

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Emma LB

I should think they'd want Times New Roman or Courier New for another very basic reason - it's so much easier on the eyes. I would hate to read a whole book in Arial. Arial is much harder on the eyes because it doesn't have any serifs (at least that's what I think you call the little bits at the end of letters).

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bobgelinas

We require all submissions to be in Times New Roman 12 pt. font, which is a proportional True Type font. Many come to me in Courier, and we don't reject them for that. Our full submission guidelines are posted on our site.

Our books are not printed using TNR, but we ask for that to be used in submissions to give us a standard metric for judging length and production estimates.

My attitude is that if an Author or Literary Agent isn't professional enough to take the time to read our submission requirements and comply with them, that tells you a lot about what a potential working relationship might be like.

Best,

Bob Gelinas
Publisher, ArcheBooks Publishing

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sully474

They all are pretty damn close to the same. I honestly don't think it matters at all unless specified.

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