Left justified text is also known as ragged right text. To set margins in Word, go to Format>Document. To set page size in Word, go to File>Page Setup and look at the drop-down menu for Page Size. Starting a new document in Word defaults to these parameters, but if you’re exporting to Word from your word processor of choice, double-check the output to ensure your page size and margins are correct. standard page size of 8.5×11 inches and set your margins to 1 inch on all sides
(Font trivia: Times New Roman is no longer used by The Times. Save that for your book’s interior design, which comes much later after the editing process. Yes, Times New Roman is boring, but it’s essentially on every computer ever made.ĭon’t use a cool font for effect. Use black, 12-point, Times New Roman as the font Here’s what’s expected for a standard manuscript format. Any accepted variations are noted, and comments are appreciated with regard to differences for international markets. The following formatting recommendations hold true for both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts in the U.S. Always be sure to scan websites for that information, and when in doubt, ask. While this article attempts to offer standardized recommendations, some editors, literary agents or publishing houses may have their own formatting stipulations.
#Novel manuscript editing how to#
How To Format Your Book: Tips for Nailing Your Book Format In these instances, an editor will either edit your manuscript as-is or spend the time you’re paying them for to do the work you could have (and should have) done yourself.īut once you incorporate the standardized basics of formatting a manuscript in preparation for your editor, you’ll see that it will save both you and your editor a lot of time and frustration. I’m wasting my time reformatting this manuscript.If you send a poorly formatted manuscript to your editor, they very likely won’t say anything, but I can promise you that they’re thinking one of two things:
When you skip over the basics of how your manuscript is formatted, you’re subconsciously showing a lack of respect for your craft and your editor. This guide on how to format a book covers: You’d much rather paint a new world on the canvas of your book than talk about unadorned, 12-point Times New Roman. But, if you don’t know how to format a book it can cost you a reader. With the greatest of respect for book designers and internal formatters, formatting isn’t exactly the sexiest of topics for an author to consider. One of the simplest ways to do that - which too many authors fail to consider - is formatting.
#Novel manuscript editing professional#
However, you should seek to do everything in your power to be a professional friend of your editor. Unless you prefer your friends to be story nerds or those who lean toward obsessive-compulsive tendencies when it comes to grammar, you shouldn’t necessarily seek to befriend your editor.
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