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If you’re planning on one day turning your manuscript in to literary agents and publishing houses, you need to make sure it’s formatted correctly. In many cases, your manuscript will be skipped over if it isn’t done to industry standard, so here’s the basics that you’ll need if you don’t want to be ignored. Before I get started, please know that this is aimed specifically at fiction manuscripts. If you’re writing non-fiction or a memoir, the expectations will be different, so it would be wise to Google what you need.
The Basics
Make sure your font is 12 point Times New Roman, Courier New, or Arial. These are the only three fonts you are allowed to pick from.
Your spacing should be 1 inch on all sides of the text. This is the default on most word processors, but double check your settings just to be sure.
Your text should be double spaced.
All of your indentations must be a half inch. Do not press indent. Instead, drag over the top arrow on the ruler to have every new paragraph automatically indent.
The Title Page
The top left-hand corner of your title page will have all your personal information. They want to see your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, the novel’s genre, and word count.
Your novel’s title is allowed to be between 20-24 point font if you want. Bold is also an option, but not necessary.
The title will appear halfway down the title page.
“A novel by [your name]” will be about three quarters of the way down the page.
The Next Pages
If you have a dedication, it will be on its own page.
If you have some sort of verse or quote, those will also need their own pages.
Do not include a page for acknowledgements.
The Chapters
Chapter titles will be 12 point font. No bolding or italics.
Chapters will start from one quarter to halfway down the page.
An easy way to format chapter headings is to press enter five or six times
Make sure you always start your chapters the same way every time.
When you start a new chapter, make sure you use a page break to bump the new chapter onto a new page. This will keep it in place so that it will never budge, no matter how much you cut out or add to the previous chapter.
Page Numbers
Page numbers will start with 1 on Chapter 1 of your manuscript. Page numbers will not appear on the title page or dedication page.
Page 1 will be labeled in the footer of Chapter 1. It should be centered.
Page 2 will be in the header of the next page.
From page 2 onward, your headers will be labeled like this:
If you insert a section break after the title and dedication pages, it will make it easier to insert the page numbers.
For the most part, this is the most important of what you’ll need to know for formatting your manuscript. I used this video as reference, so I’m trusting everything it says is true because it was made by an author who has several novels published, and because it was uploaded this year, it should be up to date.
But just remember, whenever you go to turn in a manuscript, make sure you check the website of the agent or publisher you’re trying to contact. They might have specifications that differ with the ones stated in this video, and you should always do whatever you can to abide by what they want.
Reblogging aggressively. Some publishers will throw your manuscript into the slush pile or, worse, the trash if you don’t follow their desired format. Spec fic publishers are especially strict about manuscript formatting.
These accounts are deactivated and the linked video is from 2012. Does anyone have any updates on this information and/or recent (from 2016, 2017, at the earliest 2015?) sources confirming any of this? It sounds like good advice but publishing/manuscript standards and requirements change over time.
This is a fairly good basic rundown of how to format a manuscript, you can find other examples online such as this one: https://www.shunn.net/format/story.html the standard manuscript format hasn’t changed much at all since typewriters became widely available, and it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with it to make sure that your piece looks neat and professional.
But more importantly, if you’re going to be sending a piece to a publisher, you must read the publisher’s specific requirements which most have listed on their websites. Some publishers will request different fonts, line spacings, or font sizes, for various reasons, some will want you to list the length of the story by page count, or by word count.
I noticed in the tags someone was under the impression that you should just copy and paste your story into the body of the email–some publishers do want that, but it is much less common than publishers that want stories sent as an attachment. Again. Read the specific instructions given by the publishers. There is no one-size-fits-all.
By looking up and following the specific instructions given by the publishers, you show that you are someone who pays attention to detail, who is able to work cooperatively and follow instruction when necessary, and most importantly, that you respect the time and work that the publishers are trying to do. I’ve been on the other end of the slush pile, and when you’re faced with 500 stories, it becomes very easy to toss out the ones that don’t care what they’re sending out because they clearly can’t be bothered to do the most basic formatting.
I also want to correct a misconception by the late wrote-miss-ibis a couple of reblogs above here: the slush pile is good. It isn’t somewhere that stories get put. The slush pile is the pile from which all stories come. When you send a story (unless it has been specifically requested by an editor) that story goes directly into the slush pile, and the editors then go through the slush pile to find the things they want to keep.
As long as you follow the manuscript formatting, and pay attention to publisher requirements, you should be able to start submitting stories to publishers with confidence.
I’m writing a romance with a protective white man and a Black woman. I’ve assumed that if she is protective in her own way, he’s not a white savior, but criticism of the Hidden Figures bathroom scene made me wonder if it’s really that simple. I know the main issue is historical accuracy, but are there also issues that can be generalized to fiction? For example, having active Black and white characters, but giving white ones disproportionate Big Damn Heroes scenes? Any other nuances I’m missing?
How to Avoid Glorifying White Characters
Who drives the action?
Are scenes where the white character is involved comparably more action-driven?
Are they constantly acting on others while others react to their statements and decisions?
Do they push the majority of the story events forward?
It’s good to have active characters in general, but the white main character should not create all of the plot momentum. If non-white characters are metaphorically being pushed out of the way to make room for the white character’s big scenes, you probably have a glorified white character problem.
Who Resolves The Problems?
Is your white character the handyman for everyone’s issues? What do PoC accomplish among themselves without a white character fixing for them?
Your white characters are allowed to support and protect others. Just ask yourself if they have to intervene in the circumstance at hand and just how much they play hero throughout the plot. If it’s more than a couple times, consider writing out a list of 1-2 alternative scenes where it doesn’t play out that way. What if PoC saved themselves or each other? Replace a white-as-hero-centric scene with one of those.
Create ugly, high-stakes flaws
Consider the white character’s major flaws, and how they play out in the plot.
Are they “cute” flaws? Can their imperfections be spun into a positive, such as shyness or perfectionism? If their flaw could answer the “what are your weaknesses” question in an interview, it’s not ugly enough. Ugly flaws are complex. Complex flaws do not place characters into situations where readers are lead to feel sorry for them. Create people, not angels.
Say your white character’s flaw is caring about others more than he should. While this can certainly cause problems, one cannot think too negatively of the character who simply loved too much for his own good!
If you’re stumped by your flawless hero– consider the neutral traits of the character and where they can go wrong. For example: your protective white lover could have a problem reining in his jealousy, which might also stem from insecurity, lack of trust, or being too controlling.
Not only should white characters have real flaws, but there should be real consequences to their slip-ups. Having a white character who makes fewer and less impactful mistakes than everyone else is a cause of concern.
Protective White Man to Black Woman Plot
I’m not opposed to the white man being a hero for his Black woman lover. I think we need more stories where Black women are not forced to hold the world alone but can step back to be protected by others, whether that’s in romantic love or friendship. Simply remember that your Black woman is still a character. She should act and create plot momentum. That may not play out in her protecting him physically or emotionally, but in other areas that matter. Recognize where her strengths lie, and start from there.
If you could replace her character with a doll with a button that spits out a couple of phrases, you’ve made a passive character who is likely being overshadowed by the white man character.
Solutions
Most readers appreciate a character who is not a perfect, dust-free replica of a human.
Evaluate your story for the pitfalls mentioned above, and remedy accordingly. I suggest you lay out your story events and make out some lists:
Look at your white character’s personalities, and contrast them to the major Characters of Color. List out each characters’ major moments of glory and failure. If the scales aren’t balanced, consider adding and reducing where it fits.
Examine the characters’ major flaws and mistakes. Assure white characters and PoC stand on somewhat equal playing ground.
Consider the conflict throughout the plot and who plays the bigger part in resolving them.
If the scales aren’t balanced:
Add – POC-centered action scenes. It’s alright if the white characters step out of the action for a while. Sometimes it’s okay for them to react for a change vs. stirring up all of the action.
Reduce – White character-centered action scenes. Replace them with moments where the PoC plays the more active roles or with scenes where they both help solve the problems. Note that not every problem should require the assist of a white person, but working together can be a wonderful thing too, especially in the case of loved ones.
Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between an “A” paper and a “B” paper? Between a successful sales letter and one that gets ignored?
There are several levels of fluency in a language. Learning the smaller details can help your writing sound more learned or more professional.
To help you out, we’ve created our latest infographic, “7 Secrets of Advanced English Writing”.
By adopting these seven tips, you can quickly and easily produce grade A writing.
Focus on one or two at a time until they become habits. Then move on to another couple. Soon, you’ll have them all down pat, and the compliments will roll in.
going thru phone pics and found this thing that was tacked up next to the toaster at my old job, if anyone needs some light toast eating reading material
Everything Is AWFUL and I’m Not Okay: Questions to Ask Before Giving Up on Yourself
Are you hydrated?
If not, have a glass of water. Dehydration can mimic
or increase feelings associated with anxiety and a
well hydrated brain functions optimally. Avoid
excess caffeine.
Have you eaten in the past three hours?
Don’t be a victim of hanger! Get some food–something
with protein, not just simple carbs or
high-fat. Nuts, hummus, and veggies are great
options to feed your studying brain. Keep healthy
snacks within reach to avoid mindlessly chowing
down on sweets.
Have you stretched your legs in the past day?
If not, do so right now. If you don’t have the energy
or time for a run or a trip to the gym, just walk
around the block or building. Even minimal exercise
preps the mind for learning so that you can focus
better and recall things easier, plus it’s good to get a
change of scenery.
Have you said something nice to someone in the
past day?
Do so, whether online or in person. Make it
genuine! We bet your study partner would
appreciate a compliment.
Have you moved your body to music in the past
day?
If not, jog for the length of a song at your favorite
tempo, or just dance around your bedroom for the
length of an upbeat song (singing along is a bonus)
Have you cuddled a living being in the past two
days?
If not, do so. Don’t be afraid to ask for hugs from
friends of friends’ pets. Most of them will enjoy the
cuddles too; you’re not imposing.
Have you started or changed any medications in the
past couple of weeks, including skipped doses or a
change in generic prescription brand?
That may be screwing with your head. Give things a
few days, then talk to your doctor if it doesn’t settle
down.
If daytime: are you dressed?
If no, put on clean clothes that aren’t PJs. Give
yourself permission to wear something special,
whether it’s a funny t-shirt or a pretty dress.
If nighttime: are you sleepy and fatigued but
resisting going to sleep?
Put on PJs, make yourself cozy in bed with a teddy
bear and the sound of falling rain, and close your
eyes for fifteen minutes while focusing on breathing
deeper with every breath- no electronic screens
allowed! Adequate sleep is a necessity for stress
management.
Do you feel ineffective?
Pause right now and get something small completed,
whether it’s responding to an email, loading the
dishwasher, or tidying up your room. Good job!
Do you feel unattractive?
Take a darn selfie. Your friends will remind you how
great you look. You are always insta-worthy.
Do you feel paralyzed by indecision?
Give yourself ten minutes to sit back and figure out a
game plan for the day. If a particular decision or
problem is still being a roadblock, simply set it aside
for now, and pick something else that seems doable.
Right now, the important part is to break through
that stasis, even if it means doing something trivial.
Have you over-exerted yourself lately–physically,
emotionally, socially, or intellectually?
That can take a toll that lingers for days. Give
yourself a break in that area, whether it’s physical
rest, taking some time alone, or relaxing with some
silly entertainment for a little. Time spent refreshing
yourself is never time “wasted!”
Have you waited a week?
Sometimes or perception of life is skewed, and we
can’t even tell that we’re not thinking clearly, and
there’s no obvious external cause. It happens. Keep
yourself going for a full week, whatever it takes, and
see if you still feel the same way then.
You’ve made it this far; and you will make it through. You are stronger than you think.
If you own a business or work for an organisation (be it non-profit or not), and you want to promote it on facebook? Please make sure to use proper grammar.
(Me ranting about the difference between kitties and puke under the Read More. I promise, there’s an actual connection.)
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