Preparing Your
Manuscript
Manuscript
"Exhilaration is that feeling you get just after a great idea hits
you, and just before you realize what's wrong with it."
you, and just before you realize what's wrong with it."
A Few Words on Formatting
I've talked to plenty of new writers over the years, and many let formatting
and chapter length and lots of other small details drive them completely
nuts! That's sad, since the only thing that should be driving them nuts is
how good of a story they are telling. That means worrying about the tough
things, the important things, like conflict, pace, characterization, plot,
dialogue, point of view, grammar, and so on. (See, there are plenty of
important things that can make or break a story, that you really should
worry about.)
If you are a member of a writing e-mail list, or any writing group, you've
probably seen the battles over fonts, underlining, one space after a period
or two, and some others, at least once, if not thirty times or a hundred
times even. It seems there are two things that have usually started the
battles I've seen.
One -- The old courier fonts like new courier printed so badly that many
people hated them and wanted to try to find another font to replace them
with. Good news....there's dark courier. It prints as dark and clear as any
other font. (You can find a free download link for it below. I hope. It's
getting harder and harder to find downloads for it, so I hope I still have a
working link up.) So you don't have to worry that if you use courier, you'll
end up with faded print. (I've heard people say that dark courier prints
bigger, but I've actually printed up the same exact page twice, once in an old
courier font 12 and once in dark courier 12, and with the pages help on top
of each other, every letter lined up. There was no difference at all in size.)
Two -- The formatting rules for the older, well-establish big print publishers,
compared to e-publishers, small press publishers, print on demand
publishers, and now even some of the newer print publishers, often aren't
the same. People started mixing the two up. E-pubs always used the word
count you get from WP's like Word, they asked writers to use italics instead
of underlining, and so on. Some pint on demand and smaller presses asked
for different things too, from the get go. Even some of the newer normal
print publishers had different guidelines. (Some of those new guys even
came up with some almost strange formatting and submitting guidelines.)
Later even some of the old big print publishers started changing some
things around. Lots of them now use computer word count alone or with
page count.
So things are just getting more and more gray instead of what at one time
was pretty black and white. Not so many years ago novel-length formatting
was the same no matter which publisher or which genre you were talking
about. Now days, not so much. Lots of people do still use that same old
standard formatting though.
Don't worry too much over it all though. If you are sending your work to a
big print pub, an agent, or an RWA chapter writing contests.....you should
feel okay to stick with that old standard--unless they have guidelines up
that list something else they want you to use. It's not really that big of a
deal, and no one who isn't brand new to the writing world will think you are
odd or not a pro for using the normal novel formatting rules if the publisher
or agent or contest doesn't list how they prefer things, or if you can't find a
site or such that shares that information about them.
If you are sending work off to a publisher or an agent, look at their
guidelines. Almost every one of them will have some kind of guidelines up
on their website, especially if they want something different from the old
standard. If they have any formatting suggestions listed, FOLLOW THEM.
In fact, it's really simple--a complete no brainer--if any publisher, agent or
contest list a preferred font, size, formatting, or anything else in their
guidelines GO WITH THAT. If the publisher you want to send your work to
asks for Bookman size 18 font, 12 lines per page, on purple paper, with
chapters that are no more than six pages long, then that's what you send
them. (Smile) If they don't ask, then I believe the old standard is a safe way
to go.
To be honest, as the years go by--I'm writing this in 2008--the old standard
might slip away completely, and even if not, sometimes the formatting you
are asked to use might be just because an editor likes one kind of
formatting better than another. Big deal, don't sweat sticking with the tried
and true or trying something new.
If this is just all too confusing to you, and you really don't want to use the
standard and you are just going to have a heart attack worrying over it all.
STOP. When it comes to formatting, as long as the manuscript is easily
readable and near the word length the publisher is asking for, formatting
isn't worth giving up writing your story over.
If you do want to stick with that old tried and true though, it's easy, looks
professional, and you'll find all the information you need on it right here on
this page, just below this. Then you can let the important things drive you
nuts, like grammar, pace, plot, and all of that other great stuff. I promise
you that the most important thing you put on those pages you will be
sending off is the writing. The best formatting in the world isn't going to
make an editor buy a bad story, and even bad formatting, as long as it's
readable and reasonable like I said above, isn't going to keep her from
buying a great story either.
Okay, lesson over, pick some kind of formatting and get back to writing! I
need a lot more great books to read. (Smile)
and chapter length and lots of other small details drive them completely
nuts! That's sad, since the only thing that should be driving them nuts is
how good of a story they are telling. That means worrying about the tough
things, the important things, like conflict, pace, characterization, plot,
dialogue, point of view, grammar, and so on. (See, there are plenty of
important things that can make or break a story, that you really should
worry about.)
If you are a member of a writing e-mail list, or any writing group, you've
probably seen the battles over fonts, underlining, one space after a period
or two, and some others, at least once, if not thirty times or a hundred
times even. It seems there are two things that have usually started the
battles I've seen.
One -- The old courier fonts like new courier printed so badly that many
people hated them and wanted to try to find another font to replace them
with. Good news....there's dark courier. It prints as dark and clear as any
other font. (You can find a free download link for it below. I hope. It's
getting harder and harder to find downloads for it, so I hope I still have a
working link up.) So you don't have to worry that if you use courier, you'll
end up with faded print. (I've heard people say that dark courier prints
bigger, but I've actually printed up the same exact page twice, once in an old
courier font 12 and once in dark courier 12, and with the pages help on top
of each other, every letter lined up. There was no difference at all in size.)
Two -- The formatting rules for the older, well-establish big print publishers,
compared to e-publishers, small press publishers, print on demand
publishers, and now even some of the newer print publishers, often aren't
the same. People started mixing the two up. E-pubs always used the word
count you get from WP's like Word, they asked writers to use italics instead
of underlining, and so on. Some pint on demand and smaller presses asked
for different things too, from the get go. Even some of the newer normal
print publishers had different guidelines. (Some of those new guys even
came up with some almost strange formatting and submitting guidelines.)
Later even some of the old big print publishers started changing some
things around. Lots of them now use computer word count alone or with
page count.
So things are just getting more and more gray instead of what at one time
was pretty black and white. Not so many years ago novel-length formatting
was the same no matter which publisher or which genre you were talking
about. Now days, not so much. Lots of people do still use that same old
standard formatting though.
Don't worry too much over it all though. If you are sending your work to a
big print pub, an agent, or an RWA chapter writing contests.....you should
feel okay to stick with that old standard--unless they have guidelines up
that list something else they want you to use. It's not really that big of a
deal, and no one who isn't brand new to the writing world will think you are
odd or not a pro for using the normal novel formatting rules if the publisher
or agent or contest doesn't list how they prefer things, or if you can't find a
site or such that shares that information about them.
If you are sending work off to a publisher or an agent, look at their
guidelines. Almost every one of them will have some kind of guidelines up
on their website, especially if they want something different from the old
standard. If they have any formatting suggestions listed, FOLLOW THEM.
In fact, it's really simple--a complete no brainer--if any publisher, agent or
contest list a preferred font, size, formatting, or anything else in their
guidelines GO WITH THAT. If the publisher you want to send your work to
asks for Bookman size 18 font, 12 lines per page, on purple paper, with
chapters that are no more than six pages long, then that's what you send
them. (Smile) If they don't ask, then I believe the old standard is a safe way
to go.
To be honest, as the years go by--I'm writing this in 2008--the old standard
might slip away completely, and even if not, sometimes the formatting you
are asked to use might be just because an editor likes one kind of
formatting better than another. Big deal, don't sweat sticking with the tried
and true or trying something new.
If this is just all too confusing to you, and you really don't want to use the
standard and you are just going to have a heart attack worrying over it all.
STOP. When it comes to formatting, as long as the manuscript is easily
readable and near the word length the publisher is asking for, formatting
isn't worth giving up writing your story over.
If you do want to stick with that old tried and true though, it's easy, looks
professional, and you'll find all the information you need on it right here on
this page, just below this. Then you can let the important things drive you
nuts, like grammar, pace, plot, and all of that other great stuff. I promise
you that the most important thing you put on those pages you will be
sending off is the writing. The best formatting in the world isn't going to
make an editor buy a bad story, and even bad formatting, as long as it's
readable and reasonable like I said above, isn't going to keep her from
buying a great story either.
Okay, lesson over, pick some kind of formatting and get back to writing! I
need a lot more great books to read. (Smile)
First, Some Books to Help
Standard Format & More
Print work on clean, white, letter-size paper, 20 lb. weight. Print on one side only.
Standard novel formatting is using a font like Courier size 12, Courier New 12, or my
favorite, Dark Courier 12. All print should be clear. Using colored paper doesn't catch
an editor's eye, it only shows how new you are. The same holds true for strange fonts
or work printed too small or too large. The printed manuscript page should look like a
printed manuscript page, not the printed page of a book. Editors need large, clear, easy
to read print with plenty of space between lines and in the margins to write in notes and
edits.
Click here or here or here or here to get a free Dark Courier download. To find out
how to install a new font -- Click Start, Windows Explorer, Help, Fonts, and then Adding
to Your Computer. There should be step by step instructions there.
A few fonts just for fun. -- Thundrune's Free Fonts -- Gnome FONT Database
Leave at least a one inch margin on all sides. You might find one inch is fine, or you
might need to set your side margins a little larger. You want your lines on the page to
come out to about 10 words each...and for once I am talking about using the word count
you get from which ever program you are writing in.
A header should be on each page, giving your manuscript's title, name, and page
number. Example....
A COWBOY'S WILL DILLON 1
or
A COWBOY'S WILL/Dillon
1
Title Page. This is your info dump page. A lot goes here. I've seen this done two
ways, and have been told both are fine. 1) At the top left of the page list your full real
name, your address, phone number, and e-mail address. On the top of the other side of
the page, list word count. About halfway down the page, center the MS title in caps, the
word "by" goes below that, and then your name. If you wish, you may add your pen
name below your read name. 2) Go half way down the page, center your MS title in
caps, the word "by" goes below that, and then your name, just like above, but instead of
your name, address, phone number, word count, and the rest, going at the top of the
page, with this type it goes at the bottom of the page, in the right corner.
On the first page type Chapter One about half way down the page. Center it. Skip a
line, and start your story. Each new chapter should start on a new page, and be set up
the same way.
Chapter length. Most chapters kind of find their own place to break, where something
major is about to happen or where there is some kind of question left hanging. A place
where the reader won't be able to put the book down for at least a few more pages. A
good length to aim for though is somewhere between 15 and 25 manuscript pages. The
15 being for shorter novels, say 70,000 words, and the 25 better for novels around
100,000 words. In the end, you'll feel what is right for your story and for each chapter,
and that's what you should go by. There is no set rule for chapter length. You might very
well have a seven page chapter someone in your novel and a twenty-six page one some
where else in there.
Word count. Each full page should hold 25 double-spaced lines -- all but the first and
last page of each chapter. An editor will count each page, full or not, as 250 words. {Of
course this is for standard MS formatting -- a courier 12, 25 lines per page, 10 words on
each line = 250.} So a 400 page manuscript is a 100,000 words. To get those 25 lines,
if you are using Word, instead of clicking on double space, click on exactly, and then 25.
(Find step by step info on setting up Word at the bottom of this page.)
Standard novel formatting is using a font like Courier size 12, Courier New 12, or my
favorite, Dark Courier 12. All print should be clear. Using colored paper doesn't catch
an editor's eye, it only shows how new you are. The same holds true for strange fonts
or work printed too small or too large. The printed manuscript page should look like a
printed manuscript page, not the printed page of a book. Editors need large, clear, easy
to read print with plenty of space between lines and in the margins to write in notes and
edits.
Click here or here or here or here to get a free Dark Courier download. To find out
how to install a new font -- Click Start, Windows Explorer, Help, Fonts, and then Adding
to Your Computer. There should be step by step instructions there.
A few fonts just for fun. -- Thundrune's Free Fonts -- Gnome FONT Database
Leave at least a one inch margin on all sides. You might find one inch is fine, or you
might need to set your side margins a little larger. You want your lines on the page to
come out to about 10 words each...and for once I am talking about using the word count
you get from which ever program you are writing in.
A header should be on each page, giving your manuscript's title, name, and page
number. Example....
A COWBOY'S WILL DILLON 1
or
A COWBOY'S WILL/Dillon
1
Title Page. This is your info dump page. A lot goes here. I've seen this done two
ways, and have been told both are fine. 1) At the top left of the page list your full real
name, your address, phone number, and e-mail address. On the top of the other side of
the page, list word count. About halfway down the page, center the MS title in caps, the
word "by" goes below that, and then your name. If you wish, you may add your pen
name below your read name. 2) Go half way down the page, center your MS title in
caps, the word "by" goes below that, and then your name, just like above, but instead of
your name, address, phone number, word count, and the rest, going at the top of the
page, with this type it goes at the bottom of the page, in the right corner.
On the first page type Chapter One about half way down the page. Center it. Skip a
line, and start your story. Each new chapter should start on a new page, and be set up
the same way.
Chapter length. Most chapters kind of find their own place to break, where something
major is about to happen or where there is some kind of question left hanging. A place
where the reader won't be able to put the book down for at least a few more pages. A
good length to aim for though is somewhere between 15 and 25 manuscript pages. The
15 being for shorter novels, say 70,000 words, and the 25 better for novels around
100,000 words. In the end, you'll feel what is right for your story and for each chapter,
and that's what you should go by. There is no set rule for chapter length. You might very
well have a seven page chapter someone in your novel and a twenty-six page one some
where else in there.
Word count. Each full page should hold 25 double-spaced lines -- all but the first and
last page of each chapter. An editor will count each page, full or not, as 250 words. {Of
course this is for standard MS formatting -- a courier 12, 25 lines per page, 10 words on
each line = 250.} So a 400 page manuscript is a 100,000 words. To get those 25 lines,
if you are using Word, instead of clicking on double space, click on exactly, and then 25.
(Find step by step info on setting up Word at the bottom of this page.)
Word Count by Page
PLEASE NOTE: This word count only works if you use the standard MS
formatting of a courier 12, 25 lines per page, about 10 words per line. If you
are using some other format, or font, then you'll need to figure your word
count with another formula or use the work count from your computer.
formatting of a courier 12, 25 lines per page, about 10 words per line. If you
are using some other format, or font, then you'll need to figure your word
count with another formula or use the work count from your computer.
340 pages = 85,000
words
360 pages = 90,000
words
380 pages = 95,000
words
400 pages = 100,000
words
420 pages = 105,000
words
440 pages = 110,000
words
460 pages = 115,000
words
480 pages = 120,000
words
500 pages = 125,000
words
words
360 pages = 90,000
words
380 pages = 95,000
words
400 pages = 100,000
words
420 pages = 105,000
words
440 pages = 110,000
words
460 pages = 115,000
words
480 pages = 120,000
words
500 pages = 125,000
words
160 pages = 40,000 words
180 pages = 45,000 words
200 pages = 50,000 words
220 pages = 55,000 words
240 pages = 60,000 words
260 pages = 65,000 words
280 pages = 70,000 words
300 pages = 75,000 words
320 pages = 80,000 words
180 pages = 45,000 words
200 pages = 50,000 words
220 pages = 55,000 words
240 pages = 60,000 words
260 pages = 65,000 words
280 pages = 70,000 words
300 pages = 75,000 words
320 pages = 80,000 words
Please note: We live in a changing world, and there are all kinds of publishers out there
today. It's so easy for anyone to start a publishing company now, with small press and
e-pubs. It's always been easy for anyone to decide to be an agent. (That's why it's so
important that you do your homework and check out any publisher or agent before you
ever contact them.) So as you read over my below hints for formatting, remember that you
might find a publisher or even an agent, that wants things totally different. If you've check
them out and found them to be good and what you want, then how ever they want you to
format things, or sub things, that's the right way. Smile.
For print publishers don't italicize words. If you have text that should be italicized,
underline it -- unless the publisher's guidelines say to italicize. Most print published writers
I asked, still use underlining instead of italics. If you are going to enter your MS into an
RWA writing contests, most judges will expect underlining as well. (But like I said above, if
the publisher you are targeting ask for it to be done some other way, do what they ask --
and e-pubs and small presses almost always ask for some other way.) In the end, the
publisher or agent is always right, so if they offer a format they prefer, that's the right
format.
How many spaces after the end of a sentence? I get asked about this a lot too. I know
authors who use one space after the end of a sentence, and I know authors who use two.
I thought most e-pubs used one space, but a writer just wrote me and asked if I knew an
easy way to switch the one space to two because she had one and had just sold the MS
to an e-pub who wanted it changed to two. It used to always be two spaces, so many of
us, us older ones hehehe, are used to automatically skipping two spaces at the end of
each sentence and then starting the next. I think there's one good thing about using two
spaces. If the publisher you summit to asks that you use only one, it's easy to do a find in
Word for two spaces and then a Replace All to one. Much harder to do a search and
change one space to two, since that would be every space, without the risk of messing up
a lot of things. (By the way, this means the space between one sentence and the next.
Not the line spacing between lines. So far I think that is still mostly doubled spaced for
everyone, but always check.)
Skip a line for a scene break. If it falls as the first or last line on a page, I show it with
three pound marks. In fact, I places those marks between every scene break. That way if
things move around, say I reformat or do a rewrite, I don't lose those breaks. Example...
# # #
You should NOT submit a query letter, or even chapters, until the manuscript is
completed and ready to go; unless you already have a couple of books published like it.
There are just so many people who start novels and then never finish them, that
publishers and agents like to deal with completed works until you have proven yourself,
sometimes not even then.
How to submit. After that finished manuscript is polished and ready to go, it's time to
send out a query letter to an agent, publisher, or both. Some publishers and agents
will take chapters, but most want only a query letter and a short synopsis. {You can click
on the highlighted words here to get to my pages on them where you will find samples and
links.}
A query letter often gets you a quicker answer, even when a publisher or agent will take
chapters. If the query and synopsis are good enough and the editor thinks your story
could fit her needs or the agent thinks she could find a home for our story, you also might
get to skip being asked for the first three chapters and get a request for a complete
instead. With waiting times often being months, sometimes nearly a year, and sometimes
even much longer, who wants to wait that long to hear on three chapters, and then wait
again just as long, or longer, to hear about a complete.
If you send in a query and short synopsis, they can be folded and placed in a normal size
business envelope -- don't forget the SASE. If you send in chapters or a complete, of
course you are going to need a large envelope for this. The large brown kind works well
for chapters, or even a short manuscript, but for a long one I've found the larger Priority
envelopes you can get for free from the United States Post Office are great. Do not staple
pages. Bind them by placing a large rubber band around them. If the manuscript is long,
you can place one rubber band length ways, the other width ways. Don't forget an SASE
envelope that is large enough to have the work returned to you. When you send that
manuscript, don't send it in a way that will cause the editor or agent to have to sign for it.
Either send it with a simple delivery confirmation slip, or enclose a SASP that the editor
can place in her out box to be returned to you. Note that your SASP might not come right
back though, since the package might not get open for a long while. Depends on the
house. Check out this page for more info on mailing a manuscript.
today. It's so easy for anyone to start a publishing company now, with small press and
e-pubs. It's always been easy for anyone to decide to be an agent. (That's why it's so
important that you do your homework and check out any publisher or agent before you
ever contact them.) So as you read over my below hints for formatting, remember that you
might find a publisher or even an agent, that wants things totally different. If you've check
them out and found them to be good and what you want, then how ever they want you to
format things, or sub things, that's the right way. Smile.
For print publishers don't italicize words. If you have text that should be italicized,
underline it -- unless the publisher's guidelines say to italicize. Most print published writers
I asked, still use underlining instead of italics. If you are going to enter your MS into an
RWA writing contests, most judges will expect underlining as well. (But like I said above, if
the publisher you are targeting ask for it to be done some other way, do what they ask --
and e-pubs and small presses almost always ask for some other way.) In the end, the
publisher or agent is always right, so if they offer a format they prefer, that's the right
format.
How many spaces after the end of a sentence? I get asked about this a lot too. I know
authors who use one space after the end of a sentence, and I know authors who use two.
I thought most e-pubs used one space, but a writer just wrote me and asked if I knew an
easy way to switch the one space to two because she had one and had just sold the MS
to an e-pub who wanted it changed to two. It used to always be two spaces, so many of
us, us older ones hehehe, are used to automatically skipping two spaces at the end of
each sentence and then starting the next. I think there's one good thing about using two
spaces. If the publisher you summit to asks that you use only one, it's easy to do a find in
Word for two spaces and then a Replace All to one. Much harder to do a search and
change one space to two, since that would be every space, without the risk of messing up
a lot of things. (By the way, this means the space between one sentence and the next.
Not the line spacing between lines. So far I think that is still mostly doubled spaced for
everyone, but always check.)
Skip a line for a scene break. If it falls as the first or last line on a page, I show it with
three pound marks. In fact, I places those marks between every scene break. That way if
things move around, say I reformat or do a rewrite, I don't lose those breaks. Example...
# # #
You should NOT submit a query letter, or even chapters, until the manuscript is
completed and ready to go; unless you already have a couple of books published like it.
There are just so many people who start novels and then never finish them, that
publishers and agents like to deal with completed works until you have proven yourself,
sometimes not even then.
How to submit. After that finished manuscript is polished and ready to go, it's time to
send out a query letter to an agent, publisher, or both. Some publishers and agents
will take chapters, but most want only a query letter and a short synopsis. {You can click
on the highlighted words here to get to my pages on them where you will find samples and
links.}
A query letter often gets you a quicker answer, even when a publisher or agent will take
chapters. If the query and synopsis are good enough and the editor thinks your story
could fit her needs or the agent thinks she could find a home for our story, you also might
get to skip being asked for the first three chapters and get a request for a complete
instead. With waiting times often being months, sometimes nearly a year, and sometimes
even much longer, who wants to wait that long to hear on three chapters, and then wait
again just as long, or longer, to hear about a complete.
If you send in a query and short synopsis, they can be folded and placed in a normal size
business envelope -- don't forget the SASE. If you send in chapters or a complete, of
course you are going to need a large envelope for this. The large brown kind works well
for chapters, or even a short manuscript, but for a long one I've found the larger Priority
envelopes you can get for free from the United States Post Office are great. Do not staple
pages. Bind them by placing a large rubber band around them. If the manuscript is long,
you can place one rubber band length ways, the other width ways. Don't forget an SASE
envelope that is large enough to have the work returned to you. When you send that
manuscript, don't send it in a way that will cause the editor or agent to have to sign for it.
Either send it with a simple delivery confirmation slip, or enclose a SASP that the editor
can place in her out box to be returned to you. Note that your SASP might not come right
back though, since the package might not get open for a long while. Depends on the
house. Check out this page for more info on mailing a manuscript.
Some Links that Might be Helpful
How to Format Your Manuscript 101
Formatting Your Manuscript For Romance Novels
How to Format Your Manuscript
Manuscript Format Guidelines
Proper Formatting Sample
Publishing Terms
Writing Terms You Need To Know
Submission Package
Standard Manuscript Formatting
20 Valuable Tips to Getting Published
Understanding Publishing Contracts
Manuscript Setup
Glossary of Publishing Terms
Formatting Manuscripts
Proofreading Symbols and Abbreviations
Basic rules for formatting manuscripts and how to avoid common mistakes.
Basic Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
Find more info on these subjects, and others, on my Articles page!
Formatting Your Manuscript For Romance Novels
How to Format Your Manuscript
Manuscript Format Guidelines
Proper Formatting Sample
Publishing Terms
Writing Terms You Need To Know
Submission Package
Standard Manuscript Formatting
20 Valuable Tips to Getting Published
Understanding Publishing Contracts
Manuscript Setup
Glossary of Publishing Terms
Formatting Manuscripts
Proofreading Symbols and Abbreviations
Basic rules for formatting manuscripts and how to avoid common mistakes.
Basic Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
Find more info on these subjects, and others, on my Articles page!
Some Things You Should Know
SASE -- Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. One should go off with every
submission. Make sure if you are sending chapters, that there is enough postage to
get it back to you.
SASP -- Self Addressed Stamped Postcard. You can enclose one with your MS. On
the back write something like,
Your MS reached us on _______
Signed _______
That way you not only know your MS made it to the publisher or agent safe and
sound, but the date it was opened and who has it.
Guidelines -- Most houses offer guidelines that only cost you the price of a letter and
a SASE to get them sent to you. Many houses even post this info on their websites. If
you can't find them on the internet, write and ask. Guidelines are important. They list
wants and want not's, names of editors, and lots of other stuff that will help you know
which house is right for your story. If your MS is 100,000 words, why waste time and
money sending it to a house that only wants MSS that are less than 80,000 words?
The same goes with love scenes. Some lines want too hot to touch, and others want
sweet as candy.
Multiple or simultaneous submissions -- This means offering the same story to
more than one house at the same time. Most publishers don't accept these.
MS or MSS -- Manuscript or manuscripts.
Partial -- Usually a query letter, short synopsis, and the first three chapters.
Query letter -- See info and samples.
Synopsis -- See info and samples.
A complete -- Means the whole MS.
Turn around time -- This is the amount of time that you should wait to hear back
from the editor on your submission. It is different at each house. One rule though...in
most cases, if they list two months, that could mean six or more. Sometimes they live
up to the time frame, but not often. I've also noticed that form rejections come faster
than personal ones. That might just be my luck. I've waited a year for a rejection on a
complete, and I'm not alone. I've also gotten one back in as little as seven weeks.
Just don't hold your breath. This is what makes that deal about not accepting multiple
submissions really suck.
Follow up -- If the house's guidelines say three months, and four or five have gone
by, it's okay to send a letter asking about your MS. Include the date it was sent, and
the title. If it was requested work, mention that as well. Don't forget the SASE. I've
even sent an SASP instead, with something on it like,
Your manuscript is still under consideration __
Your manuscript has been rejected __
We enjoyed your manuscript and you'll be hearing from us soon __
All the editor or agent has to do is check one, and toss it in the out box.
submission. Make sure if you are sending chapters, that there is enough postage to
get it back to you.
SASP -- Self Addressed Stamped Postcard. You can enclose one with your MS. On
the back write something like,
Your MS reached us on _______
Signed _______
That way you not only know your MS made it to the publisher or agent safe and
sound, but the date it was opened and who has it.
Guidelines -- Most houses offer guidelines that only cost you the price of a letter and
a SASE to get them sent to you. Many houses even post this info on their websites. If
you can't find them on the internet, write and ask. Guidelines are important. They list
wants and want not's, names of editors, and lots of other stuff that will help you know
which house is right for your story. If your MS is 100,000 words, why waste time and
money sending it to a house that only wants MSS that are less than 80,000 words?
The same goes with love scenes. Some lines want too hot to touch, and others want
sweet as candy.
Multiple or simultaneous submissions -- This means offering the same story to
more than one house at the same time. Most publishers don't accept these.
MS or MSS -- Manuscript or manuscripts.
Partial -- Usually a query letter, short synopsis, and the first three chapters.
Query letter -- See info and samples.
Synopsis -- See info and samples.
A complete -- Means the whole MS.
Turn around time -- This is the amount of time that you should wait to hear back
from the editor on your submission. It is different at each house. One rule though...in
most cases, if they list two months, that could mean six or more. Sometimes they live
up to the time frame, but not often. I've also noticed that form rejections come faster
than personal ones. That might just be my luck. I've waited a year for a rejection on a
complete, and I'm not alone. I've also gotten one back in as little as seven weeks.
Just don't hold your breath. This is what makes that deal about not accepting multiple
submissions really suck.
Follow up -- If the house's guidelines say three months, and four or five have gone
by, it's okay to send a letter asking about your MS. Include the date it was sent, and
the title. If it was requested work, mention that as well. Don't forget the SASE. I've
even sent an SASP instead, with something on it like,
Your manuscript is still under consideration __
Your manuscript has been rejected __
We enjoyed your manuscript and you'll be hearing from us soon __
All the editor or agent has to do is check one, and toss it in the out box.
Meet Word
Word is another standard. It's the program that most writers use
and that most editors ask them to use or send work in or from.
Just click on the picture above of Word to find out information
on how to buy it if your computer didn't come with it.
and that most editors ask them to use or send work in or from.
Just click on the picture above of Word to find out information
on how to buy it if your computer didn't come with it.
Setting up Word - Step by Step
I have two different computers and each has a different brand of printer, but I use the
same Word formatting on both. On some computers, or with a different Word
program, you might have to play with these numbers a little. I say use what ever
works to get what you need. Once you find those numbers, save them, so you can
set your next manuscript up the same way each time. This should work with Word
programs before Word 97. Some of it should work with Word 97 too, but things may
be located in different spots.
If you have some pages already in Word, just do this.... Click on Edit, Select All,
Format, Paragraph. In Paragraph click on Indents and Spacing. If you are
starting out fresh, with a blank page, you can skip the click on Edit and the Select
All steps, and just start out by clicking on Format, and follow on from there.
After you click on Paragraph, a box will open. That's were you add the below info.
Alignment: Left
Indentation
Left: 0" or 0.1" or 0.2" (Depending on the margin you want, which should be around
1 inch..)
Right: 0"
Spacing
Before: 0 pt
After: 0 pt
Outline Level: Body Text
Special: First Line
By: 0.5"
Line Spacing: Exactly
At: 25 pt
Now click on Line and Page Breaks. Make sure the box next to each thing is left
unchecked, including Widow/Orphan Control. Click OK.
To make a header for your MS, click on View, then on Header and Footer
Type in your title, last name -- like -- MISTER MAGIC/Dillon
Next, use the space bar to move to the right, near the end of the header space...but
not all the way. Now click on the first square you see in the box below. This will be
the Insert Page Number button. You can right click to get rid of that green line if it
pops up between your name and page number. The sixth button in that box looks like
an open book, it's your Page Setup. Click on it, then on Margins, and make sure
your Top margin is set to 1", then click OK. I've found if it is bigger than one inch,
you can get less than 25 lines on each page. Click Close and you're done. I hope
this set up works for you.
Word for Writers -- This link takes you to a site that has lots of info and tricks on
using Word. I have some more links to help out with Word on my Articles page.
same Word formatting on both. On some computers, or with a different Word
program, you might have to play with these numbers a little. I say use what ever
works to get what you need. Once you find those numbers, save them, so you can
set your next manuscript up the same way each time. This should work with Word
programs before Word 97. Some of it should work with Word 97 too, but things may
be located in different spots.
If you have some pages already in Word, just do this.... Click on Edit, Select All,
Format, Paragraph. In Paragraph click on Indents and Spacing. If you are
starting out fresh, with a blank page, you can skip the click on Edit and the Select
All steps, and just start out by clicking on Format, and follow on from there.
After you click on Paragraph, a box will open. That's were you add the below info.
Alignment: Left
Indentation
Left: 0" or 0.1" or 0.2" (Depending on the margin you want, which should be around
1 inch..)
Right: 0"
Spacing
Before: 0 pt
After: 0 pt
Outline Level: Body Text
Special: First Line
By: 0.5"
Line Spacing: Exactly
At: 25 pt
Now click on Line and Page Breaks. Make sure the box next to each thing is left
unchecked, including Widow/Orphan Control. Click OK.
To make a header for your MS, click on View, then on Header and Footer
Type in your title, last name -- like -- MISTER MAGIC/Dillon
Next, use the space bar to move to the right, near the end of the header space...but
not all the way. Now click on the first square you see in the box below. This will be
the Insert Page Number button. You can right click to get rid of that green line if it
pops up between your name and page number. The sixth button in that box looks like
an open book, it's your Page Setup. Click on it, then on Margins, and make sure
your Top margin is set to 1", then click OK. I've found if it is bigger than one inch,
you can get less than 25 lines on each page. Click Close and you're done. I hope
this set up works for you.
Word for Writers -- This link takes you to a site that has lots of info and tricks on
using Word. I have some more links to help out with Word on my Articles page.
Copyright © by Charlotte Dillon.
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
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