Manuscript formating, Times New Roman or Courier or Mac equjivalent
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
November 23, 2007 4:04pm CST
For all novelists out there, published or not, what font do you use for your manuscript? I use Courier, actually Dark Courier which you can get at the Hewlett Packard site. I like it much better than Times New Roman since I can divide this into ten where as with Times New Roman it can only be divided by fives.
I did start with Times New Roman before, but found that I had trouble when I had to double intent --like when one of the characters is reciting a poem.
Also could someone tell me if there is a Mac equivalent to Courier or Times New Roman?
3 people like this
7 responses
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
24 Nov 07
Publishing houses will use a standard font any way, so it doesn't really matter what you use at home. I just hope you manage to get that book published and that it is a best seller for you.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 Nov 07
I know about the publishing houses, but they do prefer that you use a standard font. Makes it easier for the editor to read.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
25 Nov 07
Some of them are as old as I am, and if they were near sighted, they have to wear trifocals. It's a good thing that I was slightly far sighted. The only time I have to read glasses is for fine print.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Nov 07
Well I do happen to have a Mac computer..hehe...we have a lot of the same font types as standard PC computers and then some "originals" one can only get with a Mac..LOL. And with some very exotic names I might add like Nadeem, Onyx, Palatino, Raanana oh and lets not forget Zapf Dingbats--LOL
I basically use Times New Roman for everything though, unless I doing something special and use Lucinda Calligraphy
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
27 Nov 07
So they do have the regular Courier and Times New Roman. I was hoping I did not have to change my fonts.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Nov 07
Oh word of advice though...the manuscript that you are sending in...better save as Rich Text Format though rather Word Document on a PC...otherwise it will look strange to someone who has a mac computer as documents don't translate well between the two types of computers
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 Nov 07
I know about Times for non-fiction, but I am sending the manuscripts. I do not use ornamental, but I find Times hard to figure out as it is not based on ten but on twelve.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
24 Nov 07
I did a lot of research before I started my novel, now two years ago, and the recommended font preferred by publishers then was Times New Roman, so that's what I used.
I'm no guru when it comes to computers, so I can't help you with your other question.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 Nov 07
Right now I am using Courier because it is easier on my eyes. I am only on my sixth revision and might need a couple of more. I can then change to Times.
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
25 Nov 07
I understand about your fonts and that Dark Courier sounds very interesting. There are websites such as Acid Fonts where you may be able to see if they have some free Mac fonts. There are some programs (http://www.downloads.com Search for font converters) where they can convert a PC font to a Mac font. So if you don't find the Mac font you're looking for you can always try to convert it from a PC font :).
Generaly when I write I use Times New Roman or Courier because those were the fonts approved by my projects in school. However my favorite font is Arial :D.
Pablo
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
26 Nov 07
When I was at school, we used typewriters and that, I suppose, is why some editors prefer Courier fonts because they still think of us writers pounding on typewriters instead of using a computer. I also heard it is easier to estimate the word count and to do corrections.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 Nov 07
Thanks. I am going to use an agent rather than self-publish, so I am rather happy with the font I have now.
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
24 Nov 07
Are you writing a book? Let me know if you get it published. I didn't know I could download other fonts I will have to check that out.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 Nov 07
It will take some time. I have two more revisions to go, and I only have a limited time during the day to spend on my novel writing.
