what font size should I use?

Question

I'm working on a novel and I was wondering what font size and text I should use. Right now I'm using Times New Roman and 12. I've looked at books and searched online, but no clear answers. Also, if you know what spacing to use that'd be great.

Answer 1

While you're writing it, format it however you want. You're the one who's going to be staring at it until your eyes turn crispy.



When the time comes to submit it to a literary agent or publisher, format it how they want it. If they don't give any specific instructions, you won't go far wrong with the following:



- Paper size A4 or nearest equivalent in your country.

- Print on one side of the paper only (if it's a printed submission rather than an electronic one)

- White paper, black ink.

- Generous margins all round (about an inch)

- Font is 12-point Courier or Times New Roman, or something that looks close enough to pass a casual inspection

- Double-spaced.

- Each chapter starts on a new page.

- Header is your surname, a one-word version of your title, and the page number. Eg "Dickens / Expectations / 75"

- No footer, because there's nothing for it to contain.



That's if you're hoping to get published by a commercial publisher (the sort that gets your book into bookshops and does some marketing for you). If you go for self-publishing or print-on-demand, you'll have to make it look the way you want. The company will give you a template to fit the book into.



Learn how to use paragraph and page styles. They'll save you a huge amount of time when you have to reformat the book.

Answer 2

I used Times New Roman for a while but now I use Courier New. While it's not the prettiest of fonts, it's practical for me when I need to skim over a page, as it's a monospaced font. Each character takes up the same amount of horizontial space. An "m" has the same width as an "i" and that makes the page easy to skim over to find mistakes. And I use it at 12 pt font.

Answer 3

It completely depends on what kind of document you're typing it on, and what font you're using. I use Open Office, and when I checked, Times New Roman was good on 12. You just need to be able to read it when you print it, and I've used Times New Roman on 12 before, and it was small like the text in books, but big enough to read.



I'd say, you're size of font is good.

Answer 4

the two area after a sentence is an previous rule dragged over from typewriters. You now no longer could desire to word it. you could write the e book in what ever way you come across gentle. E.g. I variety length 14 reason it is much less puzzling on my eyes. once you deliver out a manuscript, there are some rules; + The margin on a manuscript must be a pair of million inch all around. + The text fabric must be double spaced. + The font must be an user-friendly to study serif (like circumstances, sabon, baskerville). length 12 (Sans-serif fonts, like Ariel & Helvetica are meant for digital media). + Paragraphs indicated with the help of indents, no longer with the help of one extra line area + each web page ought to have a header on the staggering that states, your final call, the identify of the e book (or a key-word from the identify if the identify is long) and web page quantity i.e. web page * of ** + Manuscripts must be loose leaved - no staples, paper clips etc.

Answer 5

For the time being (not publishing), size 12 should suffice. Any gap will do, perhaps 2pt for now.



When publishing you'll need to read the criteria, but they almost always ask for double spacing and size twelve font.

Answer 6

Twelve. It's twelve for MLA format. Double spaced is MLA, too, but when I write for fun I prefer single. Times New Roman is basically the most classic font you can get, but there's also Arial and Georgia if you wanna be adventurous. But these things are purely for appearance; it doesn't actually matter what font you use. Just write.

Answer 7

I would ask the publisher about that but usually the editor will take care of that so I wouldn't worry too much just stick with what your doing

Answer 8

Sounds good :) But maybe double space it so it's easier to read. Keep 1"-1.25" margins.

Answer 9

Read the publisher's or agent's submission guidelines.