How to Format Your Manuscript for Submission

You've finally finished your manuscript. But is it polished and ready for an editor's careful scrutiny? Format your submission correctly and make your hard work shine.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Writing Pens
• Writing Courses
• Printer Paper
• Padded Envelopes
• Dictionaries
• Pads Of Paper

1. Start your manuscript with an informative title page. Type your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address in the upper right corner.
2. Include an approximate word count in the upper right corner of your title page.
3. Type your title and byline (use your pen name here if you have one) in the center of the page.
4. Use 12-point type for the entire manuscript, and double-space your text.
5. Choose a plain, easy-to-read font, such as Courier. Fancy or creative fonts annoy editors.
6. Set your margins at a standard 1.25 inches on each side, and on the top and bottom of every page.
7. Place a one-line header or footer on each page of your manuscript; this should include your last name, a key word or two from your title, and a page number.

Tips & Warnings

• If your manuscript is a chapter of a book, start each new chapter halfway down the page. Type the chapter number; skip a line and type the chapter title. Skip two lines, indent five spaces and begin typing your text.
• Read a helpful guide such as "The Chicago Manual of Style" to brush up on grammar and language usage.
• Purchase a good dictionary such as "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary."
• Always run a computer spell-check on the final draft of your manuscript.
• Ask your editor about specific manuscript submission guidelines. For instance, the publisher may require a specific font, margin size or manuscript length. There is no one way to format a manuscript; the steps above are a standard method.
• Banish correction fluid or handwritten corrections from your manuscript. Perfect your words and present your writing in a neat package. You're not just sending an editor a manuscript; your credibility is on the line.
• Don't bind your manuscript. Purchase a manuscript box or a sturdy mailing envelope for your submission, unless you have permission to send the manuscript to your editor as a fax or e-mail attachment.