The basic rules for formatting a novel manuscript are detailed below. Please note that many agents and publishers have a preferred format. Be sure to tailor your submission to meet their preferences. In most cases, the changes required will be minor tweaks. When to Format You may decide to format your manuscript when you start — or you may choose to do it once you finish. I write in manuscript format from the start for several reasons: • Once you set up your word processor, writing in manuscript format doesn’t take any extra effort. • I find it easier to review and edit my work when it’s properly formatted. • I often share my work-in-progress with other writers for critique and they expect to receive it in manuscript format. Manuscript Format Basics These guidelines apply to the entire manuscript. • Font: 12 point Times New Roman or Courier New. (Note: I find Times New Roman easier to read.) • Font Color: Black • Margins: 1 inch to 1.5 inches all the way around. Title Page A novel manuscript requires a title page formatted in this manner []: • Contact information: In the top left corner, insert your name, address, phone number and email address. ![]() Single-spaced and left-justified. • Title: Centered one-third to one-half the way down the page • Author: Centered one double-spaced line below the title. Example: by Dax MacGregor. Note: If you write using a pen name, show that here; but be sure to show your real name in the contact information above. • Word Count: On finished manuscripts, you will need to place the word count centered one double-spaced line below your name. Round to the nearest thousand. ![]() Example: 120,000 words. Chapter Title Pages A Chapter Title Page is formatted just like all other content pages, with the following exceptions []: • Page Break: Start each chapter on a new page. • Chapter Title: Center the title about one-third to one-half the way down from the top Content Pages Format the main content of your manuscript per these guidelines. []: • Page Header: At the top right of every page, except the title page, display: Your last name / The book title / Page Number Example: Dax MacGregor / My Story / 152. • Page Numbers: Pages are numbered continuously, with page one being the first page after the title page. • Paragraphs: Indent the first line of every paragraph by about 1/2 inch. • Line Spacing: Double-spaced. • Scene Breaks: Insert a new line with a single hash mark “#” in the center. Optionally, you may use three asterisks in place of the hash mark. • Dialogue: Start a new paragraph every time you change speakers. Note: I have a separate page with details on. • Separation between sentences: One space. (I learned to type when two-spaces after each period was the rule. I still catch myself inserting extra spaces. Periodically, I do a global search-and-replace to eliminate them.) • Italics: Italicize (The old school rule was to underline all italicized words.) • The End: Center the word “END” after the final line of your story. Mistakes to Avoid Be sure your manuscript doesn’t contain any of these common pitfalls: • Don’t indent using tabs or spaces. Use the format paragraph feature of your word processor. (See image on the right.) • Don’t justify your paragraphs. Your right margin should be ragged. Justifying creates uneven spacing between the words that makes it harder to read. • Don’t place extra lines between your paragraphs. • Don’t restart page numbers with each new chapter. • Don’t forget to do one last spell check before printing. Printing These days, agents and publishers will request manuscripts to be submitted electronically. However, if you need to submit a paper version, be sure to: • Use high-quality paper, 20 or 24 pound, with a brightness score in the high 90s. You want to make the right impression. Don’t skimp on cost here. • Single sided. • Print your manuscript on a good quality printer, preferably a laser printer. ![]() Final Notes I’ve assembled this information based on recommendations from multiple references, discussions with experts and personal experience. I update it as the standards evolve. Remember, before you submit a manuscript to an agent or publisher, be sure to review their specific requirements. You might enjoy this article: Farhad Manjoo: If you have something to add or corrections to offer, please leave your comments. Jack, this is not an article telling you how to write a manuscript, but how to format it for submission. Most, if not all, publishers will require certain formats when dealing with manuscripts. This is for ease of reading and then editing, adjusting format for publish. The generic of the format is that when the manuscript is scent to formatting for publish it creates a flowing book without creating extra work of having to go through and fix spacing and other errors created from spacing start of paragraphs instead of using the paragraph indent option, or justifying a line, that type of thing. Imagine having to go through a 300 page manuscript, page by page, looking for these errors because the author ignored proper format etiquette. Although I’ve written many short stories and articles this is my first novel. Took me several years to write it and 20 revisions until I got sick of it but sent it to an editor who said it was so good it should be made into a movie. Now to get motivated to fix all the corrections and suggestions. Your article is really a great help to me. The only thing I wish is that Comic Sans would be an acceptable font. I find it so much easier to read than that common Romans or Courier. ![]() I have to fight with this new laptop my kids got me because it seems to do what it wants to do, especially with indentations and spacing. I had Word Perfect before and it was so easy and let me be creative. Thanks for listening. I’m putting this article in my favorites to refer to. No website yet, the one that popped up below is not set up yet. Nitish, Requirements of each agent and publisher vary. Here is what Harlequin specifies: • Your query letter should start on page 1 of your file. Also, your query letter should be no longer than one page and must include your complete name, your pen name if you write under one, email address, postal address and phone number, and your story pitch (i.e. A brief description or teaser about your story). A small selection of tips for those writing a novel and using Microsoft Word. Try Microsoft Edge A fast and secure browser that's designed for Windows. Thousands of templates to jump start your project. Address books. All Holidays. Re: CURRENT Microsoft Word Template for 6x9 Book? Given how straightforward it is to format a book without a template, following the docs and specs behind the Books tab (top of page), it's a mystery to me why so many folks feel they need a template. Shoehorning a manuscript into an readymade. Story or Novel Manuscript Template or Printable for Microsoft Word. Story or Novel Manuscript Template for Microsoft Word. (c) Screenshot by Cindy Grigg, Courtesy of Microsoft. This Story or Novel Manuscript Template or Printable for Microsoft Word. Templates in Microsoft Word. Click here to download - 5 x 8 template. The printers require a PDF file of your text to print your book. We need to know the line the manuscript is intended for, the word count and status (complete/partial), any publishing history and writing awards. • Please include a synopsis between 500-1000 words. Your synopsis should provide an overview of your story—including the ending! Please note that your synopsis should start on page 2, and your manuscript should directly follow. Before you submit, be sure to check each agent’s/publisher’s requirements. The submission requirements vary significantly between different agents and publishers. You will need to package it differently for each. Let me give you some examples. • won’t accept mail or email submissions. You need to use their website form where you paste in your cover letter and synopsis and then attach your complete manuscript. • accepts only email submissions with query letter be in the body of the email and no attachments. If they are interested, they will request more. • will not accept any electronic submissions. They want paper (print on one side only, thank you). They ask for cover letter and complete manuscript (no synopsis or sample chapters). • wants your query letter, synopsis and manuscript to be in one file with pages numbered consecutively, starting with the query letter. As you can see, there is no standard. I’ve been writing my manuscript using just the default Calibri style in Microsoft Word, and now want to switch to a standard format. The body paragraphs are a simple matter of changing the typeface, however I’ve styled my chapter headings in a particular way: each “chapter” is currently unnumbered, instead headed by a location and date on their own lines, both italicised and bolded, and separated from the body by a blank paragraph. How might I go about translating that into a standardised format? That’s interesting, this differs from Shunn’s suggestion. Shunn is the mostly commonly cited for mss format (I’ve seen a lot of references to it when reading writing blogs), McIntryre’s work is not as current (the latest I found was from ’08, and Shunn updated his in ’14). See: Of course, the difference between Shunn, McIntrye, and your article for formatting isn’t that great. Personally, I’d prefer what you state, using the byline name in the page header, but of course, I’d always go with the market’s request if it differs. Gary, The Boomer generation was taught to place two spaces after the period ending a sentence. Most of them learned “keyboarding” on typewriters, which mostly used monospace fonts. The extra space improved readability. Most Gen Xers (and all Millennials) learned to type on computers and were taught to leave a single space between sentences. For many years, this was a topic of heated discussion. A consensus finally coalesced within the past five years or so. So double-space your manuscript and separate sentences with a single space. Thanks for this information. I write in MS Word. I’m confused about paragraphs. Some info out there says that you don’t indent the opening paragraph of a chapter or scene break. Does it depend on each agent/publisher? Also, I used the hit-the-space-bar-manually-five-times rule (if there is such a rule) for the first line on each paragraph of my manuscript. I didn’t use the tab button. I understand now that I should have set the indent in Word through Format->Paragraph->Section before I began writing and it would automatically indent the proper spacing. My manual spaces don’t look like they’re enough, even though I hit the space bar five times. I’m at a loss as to what to do with my completed manuscript that’s otherwise properly formatted. To set the automatic indent: Right click on the Normal Style in the Styles area of the Home Ribbon. Select Modify This opens the Modify Style dialog. In the bottom left corner, click the Format button, then select Paragraph This opens the Paragraph dialog. On the Indents and Spacing Tab, under the Indentation section, use the Special: drop-down list to select First Line. In the By: Combo box beside it, enter 0.5″ if necessary. Click OK, OK. To remove you five spaces throughout your document, Click the Replace button on the Editing section of the Home Tab. In the Find What: field type five spaces. Leave the Replace With field blank. Click replace all. That should do it. I’ve written a manuscript and originally it was told in 5 parts. After giving to some trusted readers, they gave feedback that the parts were too long and so I’ve begun breaking them into chapters. I understand that chapters start on a fresh page, but how should I break up my parts? Example: Part 1: Line 1 Chapter 1: Line 2 The text for this novel starts here. This is going to be a book. I understand that line 1 starts 1/3 to 1/2 of the way down the page. The question is does line 2 go directly below line 1, would there be a space between line 1 and line 2, or would line 2 start on entirely new page because it’s the beginning of a chapter? Also, I noticed in the example there is extra space between the chapter heading and the beginning of the chapter. Is that formatting that adds a space after a paragraph or do you put an extra paragraph between the chapter heading and the actual text? Hi Dax – Appreciate your info so much. Two Questions. Is the format you are sharing Chicago style? Secondly, is it OK to put the author name/chapter name in the header on the left and the page formatting on the right? I cant’ seem to figure out how to make it all stay on the right in WORD. I’m pretty saavy in WORD and understand headers, but for the life of me, I can seem to keep the name/chapter/page# all on the right as in the examples you use for title and content pages! Sorry about the technical question.
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