Standard Manuscript Formatting

Manuscript submission formats can vary depending on the specific publisher, agent, or magazine you are targeting. However, here are several standard practices and general rules for formatting your work:

Standard Manuscript Formatting

• Font and Layout: Use a standard, readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, usually in 12-point size.

• Spacing: Manuscripts should typically be double-spaced with standard margins (usually 1 inch) to allow room for editorial notes.

• Header Information: Each page should include a header with the title, author’s last name, and page number.

• Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, and email should appear in the upper-left corner of the first page.

• Genre and Word Count: The genre and total word count should be placed in the upper-right corner of the first page.

Submission Practices by Genre

• Picture Books: The text is often presented as a continuous manuscript rather than broken into pages, unless you are an author-illustrator creating a dummy (a rough layout showing how the art and text will look).

• Chapter Books and Novels: You typically submit a query letter first. If requested, you then send a partial (usually the first pages) or a full manuscript.

• Graphic Novels: Submissions often require a script along with sample art pages and a synopsis of the story.

Submission Channels

• Online Platforms: Many publishers now require submissions through specialized portals like Submittable or QueryManager.

• Email Submissions: When submitting via email, some agents prefer the manuscript to be attached as a PDF or Word document, while others want the text pasted directly into the body of the email.

• Physical Mail: While less common, some small presses and specific publishers still require USPS mail submissions. In these cases, always include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) for a reply or the return of your materials.

Crucial Advice

The most important rule is to always check the specific submission guidelines on the website of the publisher or agent you are querying. Guidelines can change frequently, and following them precisely shows professionalism.