Manuscript format
Manuscript Format
This is a quick topic because there is a well-established format for most writing. I write novels, short-stories and screenplays. This post is about short-story and novel format, but I'll mention here that screenplays are completely different and need to be studied and understood on their own. There are a few software programs for screenwriting that are pretty good. I've only used ">FINAL DRAFT©. I was pleased the way it worked and its ease of use.
Format for Novels
Leave plenty of margins for editorial notes, at least 1.25 inches.
Start the text of each chapter on the twelfth double-spaced line down the page (halfway, in other words).
The chapter heading can be one double space above it, but don't use bold type or a different font. Just use Times New Roman for everything.
Put hard page breaks between the chapters.
The SLUG identifies each page of your manuscript by name and author. If using MS Word, go to "View" then "Headers and Footers" and type your name and the title of your manuscript in italics (DeMott/">Tortuga Gold) and click "align right."
While on "Headers and Footers," shift to "Footer" and click to insert page number. Align center.
At the end of the story, center a dash, double zero, and a dash so the editor knows you're done, as in: – 00 -
As mentioned elsewhere, putting the attribution before a name is very much out of fashion. Say: Taz said. Not: said Taz.
Use a cover sheet that has the title of the novel in the center, with "by" centered below it and your name centered below that. Double-space.
At the bottom right corner include the word count and post a copyright notice (even if you haven't yet copyrighted it). Then include your contact information. If you're agented, use just your agent's contact information. Here's how it looks.
75,647 words
Copyright © 2011 Wes DeMott
Representation (note: what follows should be single spaced, not double as shown):
xxxxxxxx, Literary Agent
xxxxHart Street
North Hollywood,CA91605
818-xxx-xxxx
818-xxx-xxxxx(fax)
