Times New Roman vs. Courier New

Maine2 · 10-30-2008, 04:10 AM

Okay, I know this question has probably been asked hundreds of times but I can't find the answer I am looking for by using the search option. So, I have always used Times New Roman, but I was wonder which is preferred the most when writing a novel? Sorry for inconvience, I appreciate the help.

TheIT · 10-30-2008, 04:13 AM

When writing a novel, use whatever you're comfortable with. When submitting a novel, follow publisher guidelines. Take a look at the Manuscript formatting threads stickied to the top of the Writing Novels forum for more details.

Maine2 · 10-30-2008, 04:20 AM

Thank you, I found it in place you suggested. That answered all of the questions I had about formatting.

Ken · 10-30-2008, 04:26 AM

a link to a thread on the topic.
Mentions Courier a lot, and Times Roman too:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/...ad.php?t=40820

Maine2 · 10-30-2008, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anis

a link to a thread on the topic.
Mentions Courier a lot, and Times Roman too:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/...ad.php?t=40820

Thank you, that helped clarify.

Shady Lane · 10-30-2008, 05:45 AM

I subbed to agents in Courier New. My agent subbed it to editors in Ariel. My editor changed it to TNR.

Never once was the font mentioned--people just changed it to what they liked.

So basically, no one really cares, in my experience.

JJ Cooper · 10-30-2008, 03:13 PM

Same as Shady - subbed in Courier New and the editor just changed it to TNR.

Go with whatever you're comfortable with. Change it if a submission guideline requests a particular font.

JJ

Phaeal · 10-30-2008, 06:14 PM

I'm under the impression that TNR is generally favored for fiction and Courier for screenplays. I prefer TNR myself.

RJK · 10-30-2008, 06:47 PM

The majority of the places I looked said to use Courier. Apparently, it is easier to read. I have run into my share of those who want TNR. By all means, use what the agent asks for. If no guidance is provided, I'd go with one of the two mentioned above. Using courier will give you an accurate word count if you are using the 250 words/page. You get a much different number with TNR.

Danthia · 10-31-2008, 12:09 AM

Either works. I prefer Times myself, as I feel it's easier on the eyes.

ejket · 11-01-2008, 01:45 AM

I think Courier New is way too light for hard copies---I don't understand its appeal except maybe for drafts (easy on ink/toner).

ComicBent · 11-02-2008, 08:46 PM

You can never go wrong with Courier. Naturally, you should follow any specific guidelines that a publisher provides.

Do not use Courier New if you can find a darker Courier. I know that a lot of style sheets will say to use "Courier New," but I doubt that anybody means this to be taken literally. Courier New just happens to be the version of Courier that everybody has on Windows computers.

There are also these versions, which look essentially the same but are darker than the anemic Courier New:

Courier10 BT
Courier MM Screenwriter
Courier Std
Courier Final Draft
Dark Courier

And if you convert a document containing Courier New to a PDF, it usually gets converted to Courier (Type 1), which is very slightly darker than Courier New.

ejket · 11-03-2008, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComicBent

Dark Courier

This one is (or at least was) distributed by HP along with their printer drivers, and is available for download here (hp.com). IIRC it uses more space than Courier New, though.

ClaudiaGray · 11-03-2008, 03:45 AM

Write in whatever is most comfortable to you. Submit in the font the agent/publisher specifies, if they specify; if they do not, go with either Courier or TNR, whichever you like best.

I both write and submit in TNR, and agent and publisher have been AOK with it.

Haggis · 11-03-2008, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejket

I think Courier New is way too light for hard copies---I don't understand its appeal except maybe for drafts (easy on ink/toner).

I like Dark Courier when mailing out a story or ms. But you have to be careful when subbing via email. If the pub doesn't have that font, what you send might look a bit screwy at their end.

ejket · 11-04-2008, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggis

I like Dark Courier when mailing out a story or ms. But you have to be careful when subbing via email. If the pub doesn't have that font, what you send might look a bit screwy at their end.

Yes, that's important to keep in mind.

BTW, digging around further, I discovered that Final Draft Courier is also a free download. I have to admit that I like it better than Dark Courier... check it out

rugcat · 11-04-2008, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaudiaGray

Write in whatever is most comfortable to you. Submit in the font the agent/publisher specifies, if they specify; if they do not, go with either Courier or TNR, whichever you like best.

I both write and submit in TNR, and agent and publisher have been AOK with it.

Me too.

10-30-2008, 04:10 AM	#1
Maine2 New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 163	Times New Roman vs. Courier New Okay, I know this question has probably been asked hundreds of times but I can't find the answer I am looking for by using the search option. So, I have always used Times New Roman, but I was wonder which is preferred the most when writing a novel? Sorry for inconvience, I appreciate the help.

10-30-2008, 04:13 AM	#2
TheIT Impulsive Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 6,264	When writing a novel, use whatever you're comfortable with. When submitting a novel, follow publisher guidelines. Take a look at the Manuscript formatting threads stickied to the top of the Writing Novels forum for more details. __________________ Weave a web of words and trap the unwary on the stickiness of meaning. WIP: Shapes and Formalities (Gamma): In revision. Working on the query letter... NaNoWriMo 2012: Taunting the Phoenix, Part 2/Abyss

10-30-2008, 04:26 AM	#4
Ken made you look :-P Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: AW. A very nice place! Posts: 8,447	a link to a thread on the topic. Mentions Courier a lot, and Times Roman too: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/...ad.php?t=40820 __________________ a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z. Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me.

10-30-2008, 05:45 AM	#6
Shady Lane my name is hannah Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Heretogether Posts: 44,931	I subbed to agents in Courier New. My agent subbed it to editors in Ariel. My editor changed it to TNR. Never once was the font mentioned--people just changed it to what they liked. So basically, no one really cares, in my experience. __________________ YOUNG ADULT BOOKS: BREAK--Simon Pulse, 2009 BUY IT INVINCIBLE SUMMER--Simon Pulse, 2011 BUY IT GONE, GONE, GONE--Coming APRIL 17th, 2012, Simon Pulse BUY IT TEETH--Coming JANUARY 1ST, 2013, Simon Pulse -- MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS: ZOMBIE TAG--Coming DECEMBER 20th, 2011, Roaring Brook Press BUY IT MARCO IMPOSSIBLE--Coming MARCH 2013, Roaring Brook Press

10-30-2008, 03:13 PM	#7
JJ Cooper . Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On a big Island Posts: 2,511	Same as Shady - subbed in Courier New and the editor just changed it to TNR. Go with whatever you're comfortable with. Change it if a submission guideline requests a particular font. JJ __________________ My first thriller, The Interrogator, was published by Random House Australia in August 2009. My second, Deadly Trust, was published by Random House Australia in August 2010. Random House Page - 'White knuckle writing from Australia's answer to Andy McNab' www.jjcooperauthor.com 'Raw, tough, and uncompromising - exactly what a great thriller needs to be.' Lee Child, International bestselling author 'A rip-roaring plot that bursts from the gate and never lets up.' Lisa Unger, International bestselling author 'Packed with intrigue and authentic detail, full of twists, THE INTERROGATOR is a memorable debut.' Jeff Abbott, International bestselling author

10-30-2008, 04:20 AM	#3
Maine2 New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 163	Thank you, I found it in place you suggested. That answered all of the questions I had about formatting.

10-30-2008, 06:14 PM	#8
Phaeal Whatever I did, I didn't do it. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 8,335	I'm under the impression that TNR is generally favored for fiction and Courier for screenplays. I prefer TNR myself. __________________ SUMM0NED (Coming from T0R, 2014) Real magic becomes real trouble when Sean summons the wrong familiar -- the big, toothy one with a taste for the neighbors. And so it goes...

10-30-2008, 06:47 PM	#9
RJK Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says: Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 3,395	The majority of the places I looked said to use Courier. Apparently, it is easier to read. I have run into my share of those who want TNR. By all means, use what the agent asks for. If no guidance is provided, I'd go with one of the two mentioned above. Using courier will give you an accurate word count if you are using the 250 words/page. You get a much different number with TNR.

10-31-2008, 12:09 AM	#10
Danthia The Sometimes Useful Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,646	Either works. I prefer Times myself, as I feel it's easier on the eyes.

11-01-2008, 01:45 AM	#11
ejket Noobus Perpetuus Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perambulating the verge Posts: 287	I think Courier New is way too light for hard copies---I don't understand its appeal except maybe for drafts (easy on ink/toner). __________________ "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." - Oscar Wilde

11-02-2008, 08:46 PM	#12
ComicBent practical experience, FTW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 343	You can never go wrong with Courier. Naturally, you should follow any specific guidelines that a publisher provides. Do not use Courier New if you can find a darker Courier. I know that a lot of style sheets will say to use "Courier New," but I doubt that anybody means this to be taken literally. Courier New just happens to be the version of Courier that everybody has on Windows computers. There are also these versions, which look essentially the same but are darker than the anemic Courier New: Courier10 BT Courier MM Screenwriter Courier Std Courier Final Draft Dark Courier And if you convert a document containing Courier New to a PDF, it usually gets converted to Courier (Type 1), which is very slightly darker than Courier New. __________________ The Manuscript Doctor \| "The fact that you have seen professionals write poorly is no reason for you to imitate them."

11-03-2008, 03:45 AM	#14
ClaudiaGray Rambaldi's Chosen One Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,832	Write in whatever is most comfortable to you. Submit in the font the agent/publisher specifies, if they specify; if they do not, go with either Courier or TNR, whichever you like best. I both write and submit in TNR, and agent and publisher have been AOK with it. __________________ Visit my website: http://www.claudiagray.com/ My books: Evernight Stargazer Hourglass

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