You’ve put in the work to create your novel, or your nonfiction book, or perhaps a children’s book. You edited your finished product, and then you revised it several more times to get it just right. Now, you’re ready to format your manuscript for submission to UP Publishing or some other publisher that may be willing to actually turn it into a published book.
Using the proper formatting for your manuscript will show your potential publisher that you are professional and have taken the time to become familiar with the customs and requirements of the industry. This will be a plus for a publisher who’s seriously considering taking you on as a client.
The rules for formatting a manuscript are simple. They produce a standard document style that’s easy to read and allows a reviewer to hone directly in on your writing without unnecessary distractions. And that brings us to the first rule of formatting: Do not include any symbols, graphics, pictures or other additions that are not an integral part of your work.
Now, let’s take a look at the things you should do when formatting your manuscript for submission:
- Double space your manuscript
- Use a standard font such as Times New Roman
- Use 12-point type
- Indent each paragraph one-half inch using a tab
- Let each line end where the text naturally stops; no need to justify the text
- Leave one inch margins on all sides
- Only place additional space(s) between paragraphs if indicating a scene change
Once you have formatted your manuscript using the basic rules above, you will need to prepare a Cover Page. Simply take a blank sheet of paper and center the Book’s Title and Your Name near the middle of the page. You should also include your address, email and phone number in the top left or bottom left corner. You are now ready to submit your Manuscript, along with your Query Letter, to UP Publishing or some other potential publisher.