Manuscript Format Question

[jonereb]

The guidelines in the locked thread recommends Courier 12/Courier New with 12 point. I had an agent request a partial and directed me to their website for submission guidelines. They required Times New Roman at 12 point. For general purpose submissions where a font is not mentioned, does it really matter? Actually, I'm partial to Ariel. But I haven't seen Ariel mentioned anywhere.

[CaroGirl]

Always follow submission guidelines. If it isn't specified, choose either of the two most standard fonts in 12 point: Courier New or Times New Roman. I wouldn't deviate from that, myself.

[DeadlyAccurate]

I've always used Courier (sub guidelines notwithstanding). Others always use Times. I seriously doubt it matters between these two.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Submit with whatever the agent/publisher requests.

I wouldn't use Ariel. Studies have shown sans-serif fonts are just harder to read.

Most recommend courier because it's a nice neutral font and its monospaced, meaning every letter occupies the same amount of space. Makes it easier to estimate word counts.