The Writer's Digest Guide to Manuscript Formats

by Dian Dincin Buchman

Explains how to prepare a manuscript for submission, and shows sample proposals, query letters, curriculum vitae, title pages, tables of contents, forewords, glossaries, articles, and screenplays

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction

198 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Alternative medicine pioneer, writer and activist, author of ''Herbal Medicine'', ''Complete Book of Water Therapy'', ''Complete Guide to Natural Sleep'', and many other books on complementary medicine and other subjects. Past President of American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), a founder of the Council of Writers Organizations.

Reviews

[P.J. MacNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the late 90s, after about 15 years of consistent failure in practically every creative writing format and in more genres than would seem feasible, I read 30-40 books under the "Be a Writer!" banner in a desperate, last ditch attempt to work out where I was going wrong. Some of them were quite useful. Others were interesting but of no help at all. A couple were actually BAD (at least in my opinion). But I'm happy to report that this particular volume became part of my Holy Trinity. Yes, TRINITY. In my opinion, there are THREE books that every writer who is hoping to get published some day simply must own. I've not reviewed that many books on here yet, so for the moment the other two are still quite easy to find. Go to it now!

I don't really have a bucket list as such, but I count that "get a book published" box as very much ticked now. Getting people to BUY your book is an entirely different ballgame.

I refuse to leave really bad reviews on here for all to see because I really do feel the pain that being on the receiving end of something like that entails and I would never want to be the cause of it, but if you want to know what the undisputed worst book out of those 30-40 was I would love to tell you privately.

[S. Lorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me finish a book, intelligent read.

[J.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in composing cover and query letters, and in formatting all types of manuscripts for submission, from novel to non-fiction to poetry. While some people think this might seem antiquated, trust me when I say presentation is key ~ the first thing an editor sees of your manuscript is how it looks when he opens the file or extracts it from the envelope. No matter how wonderful your writing, if the manuscript is poorly or carelessly formatted, the editor won't bother reading further.

Highly recommended for all authors, no matter how you're published.

[Trisha Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a very self-directed person, I found this style guide a very useful resource to help with my submissions.