How to Prepare a Short Story Manuscript for Submission to an Editor

When submitting your writing to editors, presentation is everything. Not only do you want to save your lovingly created masterpiece from being tossed in the nearest trash can upon first glance, but you want an editor to give it a fair reading without an underlying prejudice because it looks like crud. Formatting your story properly will give an editor a favorable impression of you right out of the gate, and could possibly be the deciding factor in choosing your story over someone else's. Here's how to make an editor's day.

Instructions

1. Use standard size white, 20-lb. bond paper, setting the margins at 1.5 inches on all sides. Use either Times New Roman or Courier fonts, size 12. Make sure your entire story is double-spaced. Do not justify the right margin.

2. Type your name (your real name, not a pseudonym) and contact information in the upper left corner. Type an estimated word count and the rights being offered in the upper right. This information should all be single spaced.

3. Center your title about a third to half of the way down the page. The title should be in all capital letters. Double space and center the word "by." Double space again and center your name. (If you're using a pseudonym, this is where you put it.) Double space twice, indent and start your story, double spacing throughout. Do not put a page number on the first page.

4. Identify your second and subsequent pages by typing in the top right corner (or left, depending on your preference) your last name, a slash, the title of your story, a slash and the page number. If the title is really long, a keyword or two is fine. For example: Author/Best Story/2.

5. To show scene breaks, double space, center a single asterisk, double space again and resume your story.

6. Signify the end of your story by double spacing twice after your last line and centering three # signs with a space between each. (i.e., # # #).

Tips & Warnings

• Mail your manuscript in a #10 envelope if it is 5 pages or fewer (including cover letter and a self-addressed stamped envelope), folding it carefully into thirds. Anything over 5 pages should be mailed unfolded in a 9-by-12 inch manila envelope. Always include an SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) with your submission. The above rules are not set in stone. Many editors and writing books disagree on the particulars of manuscript format.

• Don't stray from convention. In other words, don't use pastel paper, colored text, or fancy fonts. It may make for a prettier manuscript, but it will also make for a grumpy editor and make you look like an amateur. Make sure you don't send out your only copy of the story. Don't use italics. To indicate an italicized word or phrase, underline it. Don't staple your pages together. Always use paperclips.