Chapter One vs Chapter 1 vs One vs 1

Yes, I am past the first chapter.
I just got started on the third draft of my current WIP. It's a fantasy epic. Third person. There is one main point of view, and some frame narrative chapters threaded in between.
Each chapter will have a name, aside from its assigned number. However, I am not sure which numbering format to use. In my previous book I didn't do chapter numbers, only names. And aside from that, I've only got short stories.
So basically, I am tackling this for the first time.
So again, it's an epic fantasy, and chapters will have a subtitle.
What do you think fits best, thematically, and what format do you think works best in other genres? Does PoV make any difference?



Example for what I'm talking about:
​

Chapter Thirteen
Dogshit

vs

Chapter 13
Dogshit

vs

Thirteen
Dogshit

13
Bullshit​

 

1, 2 and 4 are all pretty much equivalent.

3 has the problem of looking like a two-word chapter title rather than a number and a title.

 

Huh, hadn't thought of that. Readers would catch on, but I'd rather not confuse them right off the bat.


"Wait, so is it chapter one, dogshit, or is he referring to a single dog's dump?"

 

I use Roman numerals.

I

Dogshit



II

Horseshit



III

Bullshit



IV

Roman numerals look good​

 

Love the idea of Roman numerals as you are having chapter titles too.

 

Ooh, I love roman numerals. But I feel they set a tone that doesn't fit my story. Plus, my chapters climb to a number past fifty, and I don't want a chapter numbered XXXVIII...

 

When you get to chapter XX, you could just go into "part 2" of the book, and start over?

 

Are you planning to self-publish this?

If not, don't worry about it - your publisher will change things to match house style, or the layout of the book, or whatever.

If you're self-publishing - My personal preference is option 1.

 

Makes sense.

 

I am not planning to self publish. It's a good point that most of these stylistic decisions will come down to the publisher's preference, but I still want to find the best format for my beta readers.

 

As a beta reader and just a plain ol' reader, I really don't care. As long as I know it's a new chapter, I'm fine. (ie, don't sweat the small stuff)

 

Judging by these chapter headings, I am a little concerned about what this book's about.
Personally, I like 2 and 3

 

Frankly, I think you are thinking WAY to hard on this. When in doubt, just use option 1 or 2.

 

If you're just doing this for your beta readers, just make it clear what your chapter numbers are ...and if you want a chapter name with them, maybe put it underneath. As to how it's actually formatted when you go to submit for publication, you'll need to read the guidelines from each agent you submit to. I wouldn't get too hung about about it (or too fancy) at this stage.

 

I don't like the chapter titles. Fine if that's in your book, just keep it there. Use example chapter names.