8/1/2023 0 Comments Book manuscript format![]() Pay particular attention to dialog passages. Again, whatever choice you make, ensure it’s consistent with each chapter.Ĥ. Whether you put the chapter number and title on one line or two, use capitals or upper and lower case, is up to you, as long as you’re consistent throughout.Īfter your chapter title, start the chapter body three to five lines below. Write your chapter number (using numerals) and your chapter title, if your book uses them. Keep your chapter headings consistent and always format them in the center of your page. You can view the “ruler” in your Word document software to help you place it a third of the way down. Begin your next chapter a third of the way down the page. Once you end a chapter, insert a page break after the last line. You can imagine how un-numbered pages are an organizational nightmare waiting to happen.Īuthors ask me, “How do I designate chapters?” all of the time. Think about how many people at an editorial office or publishing house may handle your manuscript from the moment it arrives in the mail to when it’s shipped back. ![]() Numbering is not only standard, but essential - especially if you’re submitting a hard copy, which some agents and publishers still require. Number your pages starting right after your title page. Whatever your choice, keep it consistent on every page. Place your header in the upper right-hand corner or upper left-hand corner. ![]() It should include, in this order, your full name, your book title, and a page number. When you format a manuscript, don’t forget to insert a header on each page. The important thing here is to make a choice and be consistent throughout. As for spacing between the paragraphs, I’ve seen both single spaces and double spaces. Be sure to double-space your lines within the paragraphs. Indent five spaces for each new paragraph (you can set this up automatically in your word processing software). A fancy font is a red flag that you are an amateur. For font, generally Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point, will do. When you first open a Word document, designate 1-inch margins. ![]() When it comes to presenting your book professionally, let your story - not your formatting - be the main creative force. Here are more specific tips on how to professionally present your manuscript, from margins and font to chapter titles and dialog. Presenting your work in as familiar a format as possible helps them clarify what your book needs to improve. Think about all of the manuscripts an editor, agent, or publisher sees in a day. The more a manuscript adheres to standard industry expectations, the stronger your chance at publishing a great book. It’s all about following some basic rules. When authors ask me about how they should format a manuscript, I assure them it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Sometimes I find distracting watermarks and margins that are so inconsistent that it looks more like modern art than a manuscript. I’ve received manuscripts with a wild array of font sizes and styles headings formatted with no rhyme or reason and a rainbow of colors. In my 25+ years as a book editor, I’ve seen it all. No matter how brilliant your story or book concept, turning in an unprofessional-looking manuscript is enough to make an editor, agent, or publisher groan.
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