Manuscript Format Basics

I get a lot of questions about how to format a manuscript. Here, I cover the basics, and answer the common questions: I will keep adding to this as more come in.

Know this to start with: some publishers may have specific requirements, especially when you deliver a final manuscript for approval, copy-editing, and production purposes, but at the manuscript submission stage, most publishers are fairly broad-minded. Follow a few basic rules, and you'll be OK.

The Manuscript

Type your story upper and lower case on plain white paper, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Use a standard, easily readable typeface. Along with the title, put your name and return address on the first page, in the upper right-hand or left-hand corner (if the manuscript gets separated from your cover letter and SASE, the company will still have your contact information). Other pages need nothing more than the page number in one corner or another.

The Envelope or Package

Use a business-size envelope for a picture-book manuscript, if you don't mind folding it (folding will not be held against you). If you want to send the manuscript flat, send it in a plain manila envelope. Other colors are OK so long as they are white or brown; beyond that, you'll be seen as an attention-seeker. Send the manuscript by first-class mail or Priority Mail if it's large. Use of Federal Express or similar express services is just not necessary.

Fonts and Type Sizes

It's not true that a manuscript must be in Courier or Times Roman. But it should be a similar, easy-to-read, familiar typeface, one that does not call attention to itself. The best size is 12 points. Do NOT go smaller. You might set a very short, very simple manuscript for a picture book in 14-point type, but do not go larger or smaller than that, and do not play around with typefaces and sizes in the manuscript. The book's designer can do that when the book reaches the design stage--and you'll be able to make suggestions.

Spacing and Justification

Manuscripts should be "left justified"and ragged right. If you don't know what that means, check your word processor's HELP information, and try different settings to see what they look like. Always double space between lines, even with poetry. There's no need to play around with spacing between words or sentences. Just use the default settings for your word processor. One space between sentences is best but if you're still following the old typewriting rule of two spaces, that's not a big problem.

Page Counts and Word Counts

People suggest putting the word count on the first page; I think that information belongs in a cover letter along with the page count, but either way is fine. It looks a little better if you round off your word count. If your word processor does the word count for you, and you get a number such as 43,127 words, it's a good idea to just say "43,000 words."

Page and Chapter Breaks

If your manuscript is intended to be a picture book or of similar length, send the entire manuscript; do not break it into pages with a few sentences each, as it would be in a book, just type it out as a story. If it's a chapter book, insert a page break at the end of the chapter, and start the next chapter a few lines (whatever looks good, but be consistent) down on the next page.

Italics, Underlining, and Boldface

In the days of the typewriter, underlining was used to indicate words that would properly be set in italics when a manuscript was actually typeset. Now, there's no reason not to italicize in the manuscript itself, and to use boldface, sparingly, for emphasis. Consult the Chicago Manual of Style for guidance in using italics and boldface; whatever you do, be consistent.

Special Characters

Special characters, which include em and en dashes, accents, and letters not found in English, can get fouled up when a word processing file is poured into a design or typesetting program. Go ahead and use them in your manuscript, but be sure to consult with your editor before delivering the final manuscript to find out how the publisher wants the special characters to be dealt with in the manuscript.

Fasteners

Do not bind your manuscript. Do not staple it. A paper-clip (for a picture book ms.) or a file folder (for a novel) is OK. Editors do not want to have to pull out staples or figure out how to open a binding.

Home page | More useful articles | Search for more information | Basic articles | Writing articles Purple Crayon Bookstores