Manuscript Format

• Submitting a manuscript that follows the industry-standard manuscript formatting rules is critically important for getting your work read
• For independently published authors, correct manuscript format will cut down costs when the time comes for manuscript assessment, proofreading, editing, and typesetting
• For traditionally published authors, correct manuscript format is an important step - agents and publishers won't even look at a manuscript if it's not formatted according to the industry standard
• Manuscript formatting


  The way in which the text of your book or novel is presented on the page
• Manuscripts that don't follow industry-standard formatting rules are much more likely to be discarded unread
• How to format a book manuscript

  1. Set 1 inch margins

  2. Use Times New Roman font at 12 point size

  3. Double-space lines

  4. Indent paragraphs half an inch

  5. Include header with last name and page number

  6. Include title page with book title and contact details
• Some recipients might have their own special formatting rules that should be followed
• Manuscript formatting requirements


  • Set 1 inch margins
  • Align text to the left, right side ragged
  • Use Times New Roman, Courier or Arial font at 12 point size
  • Black text on white background
  • Indent paragraphs half an inch
  • Double space lines, single space between sentences
  • Use blank line for scene breaks with centered hash mark
  • Create header with last name, keyword, page number
  • Begin chapters on new pages
  • Center chapter title
  • Use italics but never underline
• Title page format


  Include contact details, word count, novel name, author name, copyright details
• Check with recipient for any special formatting requirements before submitting manuscript
• Keep an exact copy of the submitted manuscript file, separate from master document