Back To Basics: Manuscript Formatting

Occasionally I will do a series of posts regarding a specific topic.  I’ve decided to discuss some basics, things I wish I had known long before I did.  I’m going to start with a common term: manuscript format.  Essentially, a manuscript should have a title page, the body of the manuscript should have a header, be in a non condensed font, be double spaced, and have 1 inch margins.

Let’s break this down a bit.

The title page should have your contact information in the upper left hand corner and the title should be centered and approximately two thirds of the way down the page.

The header should have your last name, a hyphen and some identifier, such as the title of your book, or a partial title, and the page number.  The page number should start on the first page of your manuscript (in other words there is no page number on your title page) and should be in the upper right hand corner.

The body should be in a non condensed font, such as bookman old style and should be double spaced.  You will want to adjust the margins to be 1 inch.  If you Microsoft word the automatic settings are 1.5 inch margins and Times New Roman font–so you will want to make some adjustments.  Your font size should be 10 or 12, though 12 is often the preferred size.

New chapters should start 2/3 of the way down on a new page.  Also, if you are like me and were taught that you should put two spaces after a period, think again.  The publishing world only wants one.  Don’t despair, just use the edit>find/replace tool to change it.  Type a . space space in the find and type a . space in the replace and there you go, instant fix.

There are other things a beginning writer should be aware of like dialogue is indented and often in a new paragraph, but not always.  When you switch characters you start a new paragraph.  I highly recommend buying a book on formatting.  It will get you started in the right direction and you won’t have as much correcting to do after the fact.

Personally, I suggest  Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon, it’s a great book.  Again, if you can’t buy one right now, go to your library and see if they have or can get you a copy through inter library loan.