Publishing questions

[Seamus123]

.....

 

[CharleyH]

Right.. not entirely sure if this is the right place to post at all, so apologies first if I got it wrong!

When publishing a book, what fonts are used? and what size are they? what size are the pages for both hardback and paperback books? I've tried google but haven't found anything. Thanks in advance for any replies!

mike

Quite depends on what you are writing and for whom. If you looked? You did not look closely.

 

[minsue]

It varies a lot, Seamus. That's probably why you couldn't find a definitive answer.

 

[matriarch]

Quite depends on what you are writing and for whom. If you looked? You did not look closely.

Naughty Charley, not very helpful.

Seamus, if you pick up any selection of books from a shelf, you'll see they vary greatly in font and size. I guess it all depends on the length of the text, and the eventual choice of the publisher. I was under the impression that publishers usually guage a 'book' on the number of words, rather than pages. Afraid I can't help you there, but I'm sure if you contacted some of the AH authors who HAVE published they'll be able to help you. Try the 'sticky' thread at the head of the AH home page, 'Literotica authors and their books'.

Mat(riarch)

 

[Seamus123]

Thanks, i'll do that nice to see at least some people around here are helpful

 

[CopyCarver]

Right.. not entirely sure if this is the right place to post at all, so apologies first if I got it wrong!

When publishing a book, what fonts are used? and what size are they? what size are the pages for both hardback and paperback books? I've tried google but haven't found anything. Thanks in advance for any replies!

mike

Assuming you're talking about commercial print publishers (as opposed to self-published nooks, e-books, etc) the final choice of font, volume size, etc will be made by the publisher--not the author.

When submitting, it's customary to use a legible 12-point type (Times New Roman is a standby). It's important also to double space the manuscript, leave margins of at least 1-inch all around the page, and print only one side of the pages. Many publishers, perhaps most, will automatically return a submission that doesn't comply with these requirements.

 

[CharleyH]

Naughty Charley, not very helpful.

Mat(riarch)

I am very helpful to those wanting . Its a good answer, though, in this scenario - BEEOTCH

(PS - hi beautiful! Long time no talk)

 

[3113]

When publishing a book, what fonts are used? and what size are they? what size are the pages for both hardback and paperback books? I've tried google but haven't found anything. Thanks in advance for any replies!

GENERALLY speaking, use a font that is close to "typewriter" size. Like Courier 12pt. About that size and font shape.

To add to the other good info (type on one side, 1" margins, etc.) Do not use a title page. Just put title, your name and pertinent info (address, phone number) on the first page of the manuscript.

Double space your story. Make sure to have a header in the upper right-hand corner on each page that includes the title/your last name/page #

Single space mark after periods (which I had to learn as I was taught to hit the space bar twice after periods).

I *THINK* most editors still want you to underline italicized words/sentences rather than actually italicizing them, but that may be changing.

You send the editor a hard copy. BUT, if the editor decides to publish it, then they will often accept a copy of the manuscript on disk or e-mailed...they are...abet slowly, moving into the 21st century.

That SHOULD be satisfactory...but you should go to the publisher's website or e-mail a query to the editor, not only to make sure they're taking unsolicited manuscripts, but also to know if they're particular about such things. Some editors have certain demands in font/style; but most will find the above satisfactory.

 

[matriarch]

I am very helpful to those wanting . Its a good answer, though, in this scenario - BEEOTCH

(PS - hi beautiful! Long time no talk)

You scare me.

Been busy, as you might be aware, zooming back and forth across the Atlantic. Kind of takes it out of one.

Seamus, don't be put off by Charley, her bark is far worse than her bite.......or should that be her bite is....... Believe it or not, she's actually a really nice person........Charley, you ARE a person, aren't you?? *blink, blink*

 

[matriarch]

Thanks, i'll do that nice to see at least some people around here are helpful

They are all helpful around here. You just have to catch them after feeding time, and not before.

 

[impressive]

They are all helpful around here. You just have to catch them after feeding time, and not before.

*burp*

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Before you submit a manuscript to anyone, check out their own guidelines for submission. They almost always have them, and if you don't submit it the way they want, they won't even read it. If they don't have their own requirements, then using Copycarver's suggestions is probably close to the default standard. I wouldn't use a typerwriter font though. At least, I've never seen anyone request them. Times New Roman seems more the standard, at least for e-submissions. 11 or 12 point, 1.5 or double spaced. I know one publisher who asks for Book Antiqua. I've never seen anyone ask for Arial or any sans serif font.

Books have designers who decide on page size and layout, font, paragraph style and stuff like that, so it varies widely. A paperback publisher will probably standardize their books so they all use the same format and layout though. Trade paperbacks are different. By convention, a manuscript page is usually considered 250 words but in an actual book, it can vary tremendously though, so there is no standard.

 

[3113]

I wouldn't use a typerwriter font though. At least, I've never seen anyone request them. Times New Roman seems more the standard, at least for e-submissions.

I wasn't talking e-submissions, which is certainly different. And what I meant by "typewriter" font was simply a font that was no larger or stranger than what you'd see from a typewriter. That could certainly be Times New Roman or any variation thereof.

 

[R. Richard]

As usual, listen to Dr_M. Each publisher has a standard for their submissions. Items like font, including size, paragraph first line indentation, margins, etcetera are all mandated. Some publishers will not accept e-mail submissions, others will accept only e-mail submissions.

When in doubt, QUERY!

 

[CopyCarver]

Should have mentioned also--left alignment only for the body of your text except, of course, for indents. Justifying the copy to make it look like a printed book not only screams "beginner" but it slows the reading and is (inexplicably) very hard on ye olde editor's eyes. I've had interns sneak justified manuscripts back into the slush pile rather than read them.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Just a tech note:

The two fonts that seem to be "standard" are Times New Roman and Courier. If you're going to use Courier, I'd strongly suggest downloading the "Dark Courier" font from Hewlett-Packard's site. It's free and will make the print much darker and easier to read.

Rumple Foreskin