On writing my novel, I read that I need to use courier new-with a point 12. I have done this and it made the novel 320 pages long, and my word count 57,000. I have more to add to the book if I need it , but I'm afraid it will make too many pages. What do I do?
Courier New font + page count
- Thread starter Kaylee
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Just write it. It doesn't matter how many pages you get through as long as you use the correct manuscript format when submitting, and 12pt Courier New is standard.
Hell, I'm still on the first draft of my extended NaNo novel and so far I'm on page 245.
(Also remember to switch off widows/orphans; this'll give you the same number of lines per page, and to adjust the line spacing so this comes in at 25 lines per page).
Hell, I'm still on the first draft of my extended NaNo novel and so far I'm on page 245.
(Also remember to switch off widows/orphans; this'll give you the same number of lines per page, and to adjust the line spacing so this comes in at 25 lines per page).
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Don't worry about it.
My novel was 70,000 and it came to about 450 pages or something like that. No problem.
Kaylee, if you're writing an adult novel, you probably need to aim for around 80K words as a minimum. There's a little flexibility there, but much less than that can make the book harder to sell.
On my version of Word, widows and orphans are under Format/Paragraph/Line and Page Breaks Tab.
On my version of Word, widows and orphans are under Format/Paragraph/Line and Page Breaks Tab.
*takes a big gulp*
Courier New is the standard? I read in several places that Courier New OR Times New Roman is the standard. Which one is correct? :|
Courier New is the standard? I read in several places that Courier New OR Times New Roman is the standard. Which one is correct? :|
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Good question, LOL! Courier is usually a safe bet for everyone, but I know of many writers who refuse to use Courier and it hasn't hurt them. Times is another favorite, so you're okay if that's the font you choose to use. But be aware there are some agents who don't like Times, and some who don't like Courier, and others who could care less what font you use as long as it's not something weird, like script. The only reason I don't use Times is because it's so dang tiny, even at 12 point. IMO, it's hard to read when you print it out, but I'm probably in the minority.
Karen, I've heard agents on panels say the same thing about Times New Roman. I'm probably not getting it exact, but something like, "Sure, when I was twenty-five. But by the time I hit forty, Times 12 was like being punished!"
As always, find out what the agent or publisher prefers and give them exactly that. If they don't say, Courier 12 is a somewhat safer bet than Times New Roman. IMO, even though neither is a gaffe.
Maryn, who writes in TNR, then changes it for submission
As always, find out what the agent or publisher prefers and give them exactly that. If they don't say, Courier 12 is a somewhat safer bet than Times New Roman. IMO, even though neither is a gaffe.
Maryn, who writes in TNR, then changes it for submission
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Um....I've submitted mine is TNR. But I've seen drafts in Courier New. My latest sub, the editor specifically requested it in TNR and 1.5 spacing. Changing the line spacing shaved almost a 100 pages off the manuscript (87,000 words).
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:editor's hat on:
Go by word count, not page count.
Manual typewriters had Courier fonts resulting in 250 words per double-spaced page, so the publisher would want a 320 page book. That no longer applies.
Now that we have programs to count each word, we no longer need to estimate based on page count.
Check the publisher's guidelines for word length for whatever genre you write.
There is no "standard" font. TNR or Courier types are fine, so long as the font is large enough to read.
Get as close to 250 words per double-spaced page as you can and just WRITE WELL.
I use TNR to write in. It's easier for me to read.
Many writers use Courier, but I prefer editing in Times New Roman. When I get e-pages, I change them. Lately I just let the writers know my preference.
The only time I will hunt anyone down and beat them senseless is for tiny fonts. I've only two eyes, both bad, and they have to last.
Go by word count, not page count.
Manual typewriters had Courier fonts resulting in 250 words per double-spaced page, so the publisher would want a 320 page book. That no longer applies.
Now that we have programs to count each word, we no longer need to estimate based on page count.
Check the publisher's guidelines for word length for whatever genre you write.
There is no "standard" font. TNR or Courier types are fine, so long as the font is large enough to read.
Get as close to 250 words per double-spaced page as you can and just WRITE WELL.
I use TNR to write in. It's easier for me to read.
Many writers use Courier, but I prefer editing in Times New Roman. When I get e-pages, I change them. Lately I just let the writers know my preference.
The only time I will hunt anyone down and beat them senseless is for tiny fonts. I've only two eyes, both bad, and they have to last.
Hrmmmm.... Good info to have. I'll have to file that in the ever growing rolodex of info that if my brain.
Courier New and Times New Roman are both often mentioned as "standard." I doubt that many agents or editors would turn down a manuscript because you used one of those fonts instead of the other. They're mainly interested in the content of your work and, naturally enough, would like to see it in as readable form as possible.
The main warning is against trying to get cute.
You don’t want your ms to look like this.
Or this.
Or this.
Keep it simple.
The main warning is against trying to get cute.
You don’t want your ms to look like this.
Or this.
Or this.
Keep it simple.
My first critique group got really bent with me when I refused to critique a manuscript in TNR 8 with 1/2" margins. The author worried about the cost of printing more pages.
I left the group soon after.
Maryn, not a total fool
I just tried that, Maryn, and it made baby Jesus cry.
scarletpeaches, signing off with sore eyes.
Well not with sore eyes. I sign off with my hands, but...aw hell, you know what I meant.
scarletpeaches, signing off with sore eyes.
Well not with sore eyes. I sign off with my hands, but...aw hell, you know what I meant.
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I don't blame you--that's ridiculous!
If she's on a tight budget, she could just read the excerpt out to the group or ask for members to share copies, using different pen colors.
Crit copies don't have to be in standard MS format, either, but the font needs to be easy to read.
I print my crit copies like a magazine page with single spacing, double columns, and narrow margins--but a 12 font--printed on the clean side of used paper. OTOH, I've a bit more writing experience and have fewer corrections to make. My crit needs are for content and flow over technical typos.
When new members join we let them know that in the interest of saving paper they could print any way they wanted, so long as the font was readable. However, we made it clear to dress up the MS when it was formal submission time.
If they were a good group otherwise, it's okay to go back, but ask that members adapt to a larger font!
Point out that larger print makes it easier to spot things that need a fix!
I used TNR because that's the default on Wordpad (I don't actually have Word on my computer). I never thought someone might find the font too small.
I was more worried about the word count. The submitted version is 90,000+... but the version I LOVE is 113,000.
I was more worried about the word count. The submitted version is 90,000+... but the version I LOVE is 113,000.
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They weren't good, just first. This is the group that produced the woman who sold my short stories via email for $5 a pop, as well as producing a woman who paid what she owed me by check with "Fuck You Bitch!" written on the memo line. (Yes, the bank honored it. Yes, I was disturbed by the missing comma.)
None of them has sold anything since then, which pleases me.
Maryn, petty and vindictive
Wow---lol --I still don't know which to use. I will stick with courier new 12. I'll change it if the agent wants it in another. Thanks for all your help --Here in arkie if that was on a check. I don't know if it would have been cashed. lol
Life is what happens, while you're busy making other plans. --John Lennon
Life is what happens, while you're busy making other plans. --John Lennon
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I use courier a lot - it makes me feel productive because the page count goes up so fast.
Unfortunately the word count doesn't move any faster in courier than TNR.
Oh well.
Unfortunately the word count doesn't move any faster in courier than TNR.
Oh well.
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Sorry to hijack
I'm using Courier New 12pt Double spaced.
My question is what character spacing do you use?
I'm set at 2.0 Expanded but I can see Vixey submitted at 1.5 expanded.
Does this matter?
I'm using open office - Mr Gates is rich enough!
I'm using Courier New 12pt Double spaced.
My question is what character spacing do you use?
I'm set at 2.0 Expanded but I can see Vixey submitted at 1.5 expanded.
Does this matter?
I'm using open office - Mr Gates is rich enough!
I have the line spacing set to 'exactly' and then '27pt'. When you're using A4 paper, you have to set it to 27 for it to work out at 25 lines per page for some reason.
How am I supposed to get 25 lines per page? This darn computer skips to the next page if a new paragrah starts close to the bottom of the page.
You probably have your widows and orphans switched on.
Go to your paragraph settings, then 'line and page breaks'. Uncheck the W/O box and then click on apply or 'okay'.
Go to your paragraph settings, then 'line and page breaks'. Uncheck the W/O box and then click on apply or 'okay'.
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