tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19304494.post8188662844062789239..comments2008-08-22T21:47:49.929+01:00Karlnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19304494.post-42887882433809997622008-08-22T21:22:00.000+01:002008-08-22T21:22:00.000+01:00While some of the no-preference comments may be true, having worked for a publisher and gained a master's in book publishing, I would urge an author to just use "boring" old Times New Roman. Some people do get really aggravated by sans serif fonts, others really hate courier (myself included, as an editor, because it can be hard on the eyes), etc. But I've never heard of anyone being irritated by receiving a double-spaced Times New Roman manuscript, electronic or hard-copy.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck to you all!<BR/>Laura Meehan<BR/>Editor and Writer<BR/>http://laurameehan.comLaura Meehanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07243297193629742705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19304494.post-26395938236017068142008-07-31T12:29:00.000+01:002008-07-31T12:29:00.000+01:00Thanks, Sue. It's always nice to have a name to refer to rather than Anonymous!Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610067412050376098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19304494.post-68175306357297117822008-07-31T11:11:00.000+01:002008-07-31T11:11:00.000+01:00Thanks Nick.<BR/><BR/>I didn't identify myself sorry. <BR/><BR/>Sue Thomason<BR/>www.foodphilosophy.co.ukAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19304494.post-82559475997067978532008-07-31T10:55:00.000+01:002008-07-31T10:55:00.000+01:00I agree, that piece of advice does seem a bit contradictory.<BR/><BR/>FWIW, I like Arial myself and use it most of the time. I've written and submitted over 70 books using this font, and no publisher or editor has ever complained. <BR/><BR/>The only time I've been asked to use a different font was on one occasion when my printed-out text was going to be used as camera-ready artwork. But if you're submitting electronically, I guess it takes only a moment for an editor to highlight the font and change it. In any event, it will almost certainly be changed for typesetting.<BR/><BR/>So personally, I would disregard the paragraph in question. If you prefer to use Arial, then do so. The only exception would be if the authors' guidelines say otherwise, or you have received specific instructions from the editor or publisher (e.g. in your contract). Otherwise, as Moira so memorably puts it, follow your heart.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01610067412050376098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19304494.post-2704038323219159522008-07-31T09:59:00.000+01:002008-07-31T09:59:00.000+01:00Hi Nick,<BR/>Thanks for this. I've got a manuscript deadline of September 1st and I'm struggling! I need all the practical help I can get.<BR/><BR/>This article is really good. Moira has contradicted herself in one part though as she says font is unimportant but then says: "Arial is a nice, readable font -- but it is also a sans-serif font, which many editors don't like. So before you use this font, be sure your editor really, really wants it."<BR/><BR/>Then after that she says it's unimportant again.<BR/><BR/>I'm left wondering.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com