How do you properly format a manuscript for a publisher?
I'm considering buying "Writing a Novel and Getting Published for Dummies" from Amazon. Anyone read it?

When I saw this, I entered the search phrase "preparing Manuscript for publisher" onto Google. Here is a link to one page I located, but I'd recommennd looking at several.

http://www.charlottedillon.com/ManuscriptPreparation.html

Also, as this page suggests, look at the web site for each publisher you intend to submit to, as each one may have different guidelines and requirements.

I've never submitted anything for publication, apart from to technical newsletters. But the answers are out there, and I'm sure more experienced authors on this forum will have their own suggestions to offer.

Where guidelines differ, the publisher you are submitting to trumps all other sources.

Also, as this page suggests, look at the web site for each publisher you intend to submit to, as each one may have different guidelines and requirements.

Where guidelines differ, the publisher you are submitting to trumps all other sources.

I agree with Cogito.

Neo, if you're thinking of purchasing a book on writing simply to discover the formatting requirements for publishers, I think you're not going to get your money's worth.

Most publishers (novels) that accept unsolicited manuscripts give some guidelines as to how they want it. Most magazines/ezines also give information on formatting.

In general however:

Double Space. Use a normal font (Times Roman or Courier, 12 point). Print on one side of sheet only. Place contact information on the first page of the manuscript. One inch margins minimum, some prefer 1.5 inch margins. Include header with title/name and page number.

Examples:
Tor (about half way down page): http://www.tor-forge.com/Faq.aspx

DAW: DAW Books | Submission Guidelines (http://www.dawbooks.com/static/html/submissions.html)

Twilight Times: Subs - additional guidelines (http://www.twilighttimesbooks.com/subs_formatting.html)

Baen: Baen FAQS Page (http://www.baen.com/FAQS.htm)

Aberrant Dreams: Aberrant Dreams - Speculative Fiction (http://www.hd-image.com/submissions.htm)

The Sword Review (click on Formatting Practices): The Sword Review Submission Guidelines (http://www.theswordreview.com/guidelines.php#Formatting2)

Hope those examples give you some ideas and direction.

Terry

save your money!

email me and i'll send you the great set of ms format guides that i send to all my mentees who also haven't a clue...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

I think most publishers have different formats... if you're unsure, ask them. I would think that'd be the correct way to go, anyway.

Thanks everyone, but I'm not buying the book just for the formatting info!

Your suggestions and help is all very much appreciated. Thanks!

publishers all pretty much agree on the basics... the only differences you may find are small ones, usually dealing with things other than the basics...

basics:
font style/pt size [courier or times new roman 12pt]
margins [1-1.25"... left-aligned]
double-spaced ms
header w/ key word of title / author's last name / pg# [@ top right of page]
pages left loose [no staplesor clips/binders of any kind]

and a few other standards that the format guides i can send will show examples of... fyi, because they're basics that all writers are expected to know, many agents'/publishers' guidelines don't even mention 'em...

and a few other standards that the format guides i can send will show examples of... fyi, because they're basics that all writers are expected to know, many agents'/publishers' guidelines don't even mention 'em...

Really. Must be pretty standard then, I would guess.

yup!... they are...