Choosing the Right Text Alignment for Your Novel: A Guide for SEO and Formatting
When it comes to typesetting a novel, the choice between justified text and flush left ragged right text often hinges on aesthetic preferences and readability considerations. This guide aims to demystify these choices, offering insights and recommendations for authors and designers alike.
The Pros and Cons of Justified Text
Pros: Creates a clean and formal appearance with even margins on both sides. Can be visually appealing in printed books, giving a sense of order.
Cons: May lead to uneven spacing between words, known as tracking. May require hyphenation to avoid large gaps, which some readers find distracting.
The Pros and Cons of Flush Left Ragged Right Text
Pros: Generally more readable due to consistent spacing between words without large gaps. The irregular right margin can create a more relaxed and informal appearance, preferred by some readers.
Cons: May appear less formal or polished depending on the typeface and layout.
Recommendations for Novels
Many contemporary novels favor flush left text because it enhances readability and creates a more approachable feel. However, if the design of the book leans toward a more formal or classic style, justified text can work well.
It's important to consider your audience and the genre of the novel. Testing both styles with a sample audience is often beneficial to see which they prefer in terms of readability and visual appeal.
Traditional Manuscript Submission Format
If you’re submitting a manuscript, it’s traditional to do so in monospaced text flush left ragged right with each paragraph indented on the first line. However, if you’re actually typesetting a novel, it should be justified.
Additional Considerations for Book Design
Getting your novel to look professional requires attention to multiple aspects of book design, thirty-one to be exact. Here are some key considerations: