How to Format a Manuscript for a Publishing Agent

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How to Format a Manuscript for a Publishing Agent

If you have finally written your novel, you want to be sure
that you are giving the agent everything that they need and
expect. This is really the point where your manuscript
should not stand out from others, except in what it has to
say.

As for the length of your first novel, the rule of the thumb
is to keep it short, say, between 60,000 and 120,000 words,
a fairly standard size. You can make it even shorter if your
target readers are younger. If you are not going through an
agent, you should look at other things the publisher has
published to get an idea of what kinds of word counts they
like to accept.

The next order of business is to format the manuscript.
This includes having the text in a word processing document.
While typing on a typewriter might be your standard method
of creating your novel, it does not look professional. If
you do not own a computer, pay someone to type up your
manuscript on their computer. However, you should really
look into having your own computer, as most communication
is done via email these days.

The manuscript should be typed in Times New Roman or
Courier font in twelve point font size. The text should be
double spaced throughout the text. The title page should
include your contact information in the bottom right hand
corner, including name, address, and email address. If you
have an agent, then your contact information will be in the
top left hand corner and your agent's contact information
will go in the bottom left corner.

In the center of your title page, you will put the title of
the manuscript in all capital letters.

The following pages will include the page number in the top
right hand corner as well as your name and title in all
capitals, separated by a backslash in the upper left hand
corners.

Type the chapter titles in all capital letters and place it
about a third of the way down the page. Skip four lines
before proceeding to the text.

It's important to indent new paragraphs and dialogue with
either the TAB key or with five spaces.

Be sure to have your document be edited by a professional
copyeditor or yourself. You'll want to print the document
out and read it word by word. It's amazing what can be
missed when the document is on the computer screen.

You must present your manuscript totally free of spelling
mistakes or grammatical errors. They give the impression
that you are not professional or committed to the
manuscript. These seemingly simple errors can annoy the
publisher to the extent that he rejects your manuscript
outright.

Take the time to create a professional manuscript and one
that is consistent with these industry standards. Anything
flashy will only draw the annoyance of the one reading it,
not the attention.