FORMATTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT


Many books, websites and newsletters for writers can give you advice on formatting your manuscript.  Formatting means how your manuscript appears on the page--what it looks like to the reader.  Your formatting need not be elaborate.  In fact, it's best to avoid fancy fonts, colored type, oversize print or anything that might distract from the writing itself.  Above all, you want your work to read smoothly and easily.


A Few Formatting Basics
  • Paper Size:  Use standard size 8.5 x 11 inch white paper.  On some word processing programs this is known as "letter size" formatting.
  • Text Fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, and Helvetica are three of the most popular fonts for writers.  Almost anything that can be read clearly will do, so don't worry if your computer lacks a vast selection of fonts.  Most editors prefer that your font be 10 to 12 points in size.  If your manuscript is very short--one page or less--you might even go up to 14 points.
  • Margins:  Set one inch margins on all sides.  Some people prefer to set the left and right margin at 1.25 inches.  If your world processing program does this automatically, that's fine. 
  • Text Spacing: All text should be double spaced and flush with the left hand margin. 

Formatting Your Title Page
  • The first page of your manuscript should contain all your contact information--name, address, phone, email--in the upper left hand corner.
  • Your title should be about one third to half-way down your first page. It should be centered on the page. You can use all capitals, underline, or use bold type if you wish.
  • Now you're ready to begin writing. Drop down four spaces below your title and begin your text. Do not worry about page breaks or the layout as it would appear in the published book.  Enter your text the same way you would as if you were writing an essay or college paper.  It should flow continuously from one page to the next.  The layout and page breaks will be done later by the editor and art director.
  • Be sure to number your pages. You may leave the number off your title page and begin numbering with "2" on your second page.
  • Stapling is usually the easiest way to attach your pages.  However, an interested editor may want to make copies of your manuscript and distribute them to her colleagues.  In that case, removing the staple is an inconvenience, albeit a minor one.  You can avoid this by creating a header for every page.  A header appears in the upper right-hand corner and contains your last name followed by a brief title and the page number.  The pages are then attached with a paper clip. If you are submitting your manuscript as a document via email, it is doubly important to make sure you use a header.  That way, the pages are located and easily assembled once the story is printed out.
  • Here is a sample of what your title page and header should look like.  (Scroll down and click on the arrow at the bottom of the title page to see the second page with header.)

Sending Your Manuscript
  • If you are submitting electronically, follow any guidelines given by the publisher.
  • If you are submitting via snail mail, send your manuscript in a standard size 9 x 12 envelope.  Make sure you have adequate postage. Make sure your return address is in the upper left hand corner. 
  • Include your cover letter. 
  • Keep a record of where you sent your manuscript and when you sent it.  This will help if you need or want to send it out again.