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Manuscript Format
Proper manuscript
standards are easy to follow. One quick tip before we begin: when
you send your manuscript, send it unstapled manuscript. Below is a
standard manuscript formatting tips.
Starter Manuscript
Formatting Tips
 Margin:
Set the margin at 1.0 all the way around.
Font size:
Traditionally Courier 10 pt. was the font of choice. Nowadays,
Times New
Roman
12 pt. is also acceptable.
Spacing: The manuscript
is double-spaced lines except for your contact information and book
title which is single spaced.
Include a header on the
upper right-hand corner in all pages except the cover page with
the following information:
Thompson / BOOK TITLE / page#
Cover Page
Formatting Tips
If you are an
unagented writer, include your contact page on the top left corner
of the page. Single space the information. Example:
Molly Thompson
345 Water Circle
City, State, Zip Code
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
mthompson@email.com
If you are agented,
include your agent's contact information on the bottom of the
cover page, single spaced. Example:
Agent Name
Business Name
Agent Address
Agent Number
Agent e-mail address
Center the book
title and your name. Below your name, include word count: You
can bold all the information in this section. Example:
Fancy Book Title
by Molly Thompson
Word Count: 87,000
Formatting
Tips for the First Page & the Rest of the Book
Include
the page header as describe above.
Type
the chapter number a few lines down the page. If your chapter has a
title, include the title under the chapter number. You can bold both
the chapter number and the chapter title. Example:
Chapter 1
Chapter Title
Begin
your story two double spaces from the chapter title.
Additional
Manuscript Formatting Tips
When
you start a new paragraph, indent the first sentences 5 spaces for
the margin.
Start
each subsequent chapter on a new page, using the description
above.
With
scene breaks type and center the number sign (#) to show a
new scene.
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