How to Organize a Manuscript for Submission to a Poetry Contest

Carefully format your poetry manuscript.

Organizing a manuscript for a poetry contest takes time, consideration and a close eye for detail. Most poetry publishers look for a book that has been thoroughly edited and revised and has a clear organizing principle. Understanding the basics of organizing a manuscript, along with checking the publisher's guidelines, will help you create a manuscript that is more likely to be published.

Instructions

1. Decide if the manuscript should contain multiple sections. If so, decide which poems ought to start out each section of the book. If the manuscript requires multiple sections, use Roman numerals to indicate the section breaks, and be certain to include the sections in the table of contents. When organizing the poems in the manuscript, consider the tone of each poem and how it sits with the other poems in the collection. For instance, a short poem might appear between longer poems to strengthen the work. A long poem might be placed at the end of the manuscript to keep the energy of the reader at a higher level.

2. 

   Use a standard-size font, such as 11 or 12 point.

   Use a clean, clear font and a standard font size such as 11 or 12 point. Order the poems within the sections or main body of the manuscript based on an organizing principle. The organizing principle can be any number of things: a linear, narrative timeline, a shape or pattern, or a design based on variety and dynamic forms. Once the shape is decided, consider laying the book out physically on a floor or table to examine the visual structure of the book. This provides yet another way of looking at the work.

3. 

   Create a table of contents for your book of poetry.

   Create a table of contents. The table of contents should begin the manuscript and should contain the titles of the poems inside with their corresponding page numbers in the manuscript so that an editor can easily locate a poem.

4. Create a title page with your name, address, phone number, and email address. If you are submitting the manuscript to a contest, it is likely that you will need two title pages: one with your contact information and one with the title of the manuscript only. Make sure to include page numbers in the footer of the manuscript to help the editor keep your pages organized.

5. 

   Carefully proofread everything before submitting.

   Proof the manuscript for errors, and make sure that the page numbers are in order. Also, check the guidelines of the press or publisher to whom you are submitting the work to make sure you have followed specific instructions. Adherence to submission guidelines is the very first step to gaining publication for a manuscript.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a friend proofread the manuscript for errors and general feedback before printing and sending to a publisher.

• Avoid including graphics, images, discs, or other additional submission pieces unless instructed to do so by the publisher.

• Think outside the box when it comes to a shape or organizing principle for your manuscript. Many authors choose to follow a less ordinary pattern, such as seasons, geographical locations, or number sequences to order their poems.

• Always read the guidelines thoroughly, as manuscript-formatting guidelines can vary among editors.

• Never send your only copy of a manuscript to an editor or publisher. Often, manuscripts are recycled if not accepted for publication.

References

• National Park Service: Drafting and Editing Poetry
• Bookmark Self Publishing: Self Publishing a Poetry Book
• Winning Writers: Shaping Your Manuscript

Resources

• Winning Writers: Resources