How to Format a Novel Manuscript for Submission

If you want to get your novel published, you need to know how to format your manuscript. While different publishers have different rules that must be followed, the standard manuscript format works for almost any one.

Things You'll Need

• A novel manuscript
• Word processing program

Instructions

1. Paste your entire novel manuscript into one word processing file. It is easiest to make the necessary changes to the entire manuscript at one time. Make all the margins one inch on all sides.

2. Select all of the text in your novel manuscript and change the spacing to double spacing throughout. The entire thing should be double spaced. Text should be left aligned and not justified.

3. If you did not write like this in the first place, make sure there is no white space extra between paragraphs and adjust your paragraph indent. Scene breaks should be indicated with one line of white space or a # centered in the middle of the line break.

4. Search through your novel manuscript and make a page break for each chapter. Chapter titles or numbers should be centered at the top of each chapter page.

5. Shift your novel title and the start of chapter one to the middle of the first page. Above this in the top left corner, write your name, pen name if any, title of the novel and contact information. This should be single spaced.

6. At the top right hand side of every page, you should have your novel title, your last name, and the page number.

7. Print your novel manuscript out on bright white paper with good quality ink. Mail it out in a manuscript box or large envelope with all necessary inclusions.

Tips & Warnings

• If a particular publisher has different instructions, follow them first.