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You may be embarking on the next big literary blockbuster but your manuscript first has to sell your story to a literary agent or publisher before being unleashed on your intended audience.
As with any document, the layout of your manuscript should enhance your objective, not detract from it.
You don’t want to fall at the first hurdle by presenting a document that is unreadable but neither should fancy formatting be the aim in this instance either.
Your manuscript layout should be as follows:
· Use a font such as Courier which is not proportionally spaced and therefore much easier on the eye · Use a 12 point font size as anything smaller will be difficult to read · Use double spacing, again for easier reading, and also to allow for any notations to be made · Use one inch margins all round with no right justification · Do not underscore, italicise or embolden text · Put your name and the title of the manuscript on the top left corner of each page · Put the page number on the top right corner of each page · Have a cover page with your name, contact details, title of the manuscript and the total number of words · Prepare a synopsis of the manuscript · Print off a separate copy of the first three chapters of your manuscript which will accompany the synopsis · Write a short biography, which will also accompany the synopsis
Normally you would send the literary agent or publisher your synopsis of the manuscript along with the first three chapters, the cover page and a short biography first of all and, if they are interested in reading further, they will request the complete manuscript.
Remember to take a copy before sending it. |
