eBook Font Size??

I am currently writing a book, firstly as an eBook, but also have contacted a publisher to delve into getting it published in tangible form. My question is this: What is a "general" or acceptable font size for eBooks?

I have read several eBooks and I must say some are decently formatted and others seem to be almost an 18-22pt font double spaced, huge paragraph leaps, etc. In essence turing what would be a 14 page, single spaced, 12pt Word Doc into a 113 page PDF eBook! I only know those numbers because I backed out a specific eBook to that format and those were the numbers.

I am afraid that if I write a single spaced, 12pt Word doc that is pushing 35-40 pages, we are talking like 300-400 pages if I "big font" eBook format it.

So what is the proper font and spacing size for eBook in the opinion of the BHW readers here?

Definitely don't use single spaced. I normally use 1.5 as a minimum and 2.0 as a maximum.

Personally, I don't go too much for the larger font sizes...usually sticking to 14/16 as a max.

I don't have any hard and fast rules and tailor it to the individual document and whether or not it needs extra padding.

PS Don't forget your disclaimer page at the beginning also.

topsytips said:

Definitely don't use single spaced. I normally use 1.5 as a minimum and 2.0 as a maximum.

Personally, I don't go too much for the larger font sizes...usually sticking to 14/16 as a max.

I don't have any hard and fast rules and tailor it to the individual document and whether or not it needs extra padding.

PS Don't forget your disclaimer page at the beginning also.

Click to expand...

A disclaimer stating what?

cadkins45 said:

A disclaimer stating what?

Click to expand...

Varies but could include items such as that you won't be liable for any losses and any earnings stated are a guide and are no indication of actual performance...always seek legal advice from a competent professional etc etc

You'll find them at the front of most ebooks...just rehash to suit yourself and the topic.

Oh...and a copyright notice also...but given as we're BHW members, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that it's not worth the paper it's written on!!!

Also, the best advice I read was not to strive for perfection. I kept re-working my stuff to the point where it was out of date before I released it and/or I missed the boat on the trend!!

Just get it to a satisfactory level and then move on to the next project.

Best of luck!!

1.5 spacing with 13 point Calibri font....

topsytips said:

Varies but could include items such as that you won't be liable for any losses and any earnings stated are a guide and are no indication of actual performance...always seek legal advice from a competent professional etc etc

You'll find them at the front of most ebooks...just rehash to suit yourself and the topic.

Oh...and a copyright notice also...but given as we're BHW members, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that it's not worth the paper it's written on!!!

Also, the best advice I read was not to strive for perfection. I kept re-working my stuff to the point where it was out of date before I released it and/or I missed the boat on the trend!!

Just get it to a satisfactory level and then move on to the next project.

Best of luck!!

Click to expand...

Awesome, thank you!

calibri is also very nice, as well comic sans ms, both font looks nice.

Verdana it looks good in print too

I just finished a few e-books and I used size 16-20 font, calibri and double spaced the e-books that had only like 20 pages (Without double spacing) and double spacing gave it a bit more girth. I had some longer e-books that were like 50 pages without double spacing so I only did 1.5 spacing so my book wasn't too long. I think 100 pages is a good amount for an e-book (depending on the niche).

I also added pictures whenever I could, I think nice crisp looking images make it more interesting for the reader and if your book "feels" too short, big nice feel-good images can add more length to your book. Also images make it look more professional, nobody wants 100 pages of just text. An index is always good to have as well.