When submitting your book to agents or publishers, you should always check the relevant submission guidelines, but the requirements for manuscript format are broadly the same.. A manuscript format should feature letter or A4 page size, 12-pt Times New Roman (or similar) font, 1” margins, double-spaced lines, and 0.5” paragraph indents.
Here is what you should include to ensure that your title page is properly formatted: 1. Title and author name: Your book title should be in the center of your document and anywhere between one-third of the way to halfway down the page. Below your title, on the next double spaced line, include the author’s name with the words “by” or “a ...
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:
Do not count words in the title page, table of contents, or bibliography. Exclude footnotes/endnotes unless they contain substantial narrative content. Reporting Word Count: On the Title Page: Include the word count on your manuscript’s title page. Round to the nearest hundred (e.g., 80,246 becomes “about 80,200 words”). In Query Letters:
Did you know there are specific industry standards for your manuscript format? Follow this guide to set yourself apart in your publishing process!
Step 2: Organize Your Manuscript. Now that your document is set up, it’s time to start organizing your manuscript. Here’s what you need to do: Title Page: The first page should be your title page. This includes the title of your book, your name, and your contact information (email or phone number).
A manuscript’s title page consists of four elements: title and author name, contact information, and word count. The information on the title page should all appear in 12 point Times New Roman, black type. Title and author name: Center the title of the book halfway down the page. This should be written in all caps, not italicized. On the next ...
A header is text that appears above each page before the first line. For your manuscript it should show your last name at the left, the book title centered, and the page number to the right. Do not include a header on the title page. To create a header in Microsoft Word, move your cursor into the margin above the top line and click twice.
The title of your book, centred halfway down the page Your name centred underneath the title, with one blank line between the title and your name (if you use a pen name provide it here) The word count for your manuscript centred under your name, with one blank line between your name and the word count
A standard manuscript format looks like this: Title page. This is the first page and should not include a page number. Center-align your book’s working title (it’s OK if this title later changes) and byline. At the bottom-right, include your contact information. Some agents will also want an approximate word count here.
A title page may seem like a small detail, but it helps set the stage for the reader’s experience while ensuring your work is properly attributed and legally protected. Here’s what typically makes up a book title page: The Title of Your Book – This is the heart of the title page. Your book’s title should be bold, clear, and encapsulate ...
Title Page. The title page of your book is your book’s first impression. Include your title, subtitle (if you have one), and your name or pen name. You should think of it as the cover page of your book manuscript. Table of Contents. TOC is especially important for non-fiction and longer works of fiction. It helps agents and publishers ...
Make sure your manuscript is aligned to the left (chapter headings and scene break markers are fine to be centred). Add a header including your last name, the book title, and page numbers. To do this, go to Insert > Header and choose a blank one. Type your last name and book title (make sure you’re still using size 12 Times New Roman).
2. Formatting Other Pages in Your Manuscript. There are a few details you’ll want to make sure you include in the body of your manuscript. These are: Start each new chapter on a new page 1/3 of the way down; Use # for scene breaks; Include page numbers in your header (preferably in the top or bottom right corners), starting after the title page
Proper manuscript format for the 21st century I wrote the original version of my manuscript formatting guide in 1993, modeling it after a much older two-page guide I received from Damon Knight in 1985.
A hastily created title page can make your work look sloppy or even unprofessional—but a great title page can get the reader excited to dive into your book. Elements to include on a title page. The first step in creating a striking title page that’ll draw your readers in is to understand what goes into a good title page, as well as what to ...
When you format a manuscript, don’t forget to insert a header on each page. It should include, in this order, your full name, your book title, and a page number. Place your header in the upper right-hand corner or upper left-hand corner. Whatever your choice, keep it consistent on every page. Number your pages starting right after your title ...
Header — right justified, contains the following information: Last name/ TITLE/ page# A header does not belong on the title page. Start headers on page two of the actual manuscript. First labeled page number should be 2. Cover page Do not use a cover page with short work, either fiction or non-fiction; First page
