#Manuscript title page example pdf
#Manuscript title page example full

In the bottom section of the page, you may choose to add copyright information and / or contact information for you or your agent, if either is relevant to your manuscript.On the next line (centered), add “by.” On the line after that, add your name or pseudonym as you want it to appear on the work.

Halfway down the page and centered, place your title in all caps.With the ease of modern word processors, there is no reason not to include the precise word count instead of an estimate. Place your word count on the top right.Place your legal name and contact information on the top left of the page.

Consider the following layout for your page (all double spaced): X Research source X Research source

#Manuscript title page example full

At very least, your title page needs to have your full name (legal name and pseudonym, if used), the full title of the work, your contact information, and a word count (actual or close estimate).While some editors advise using a combined title page / first text page, especially if submitting a short story, creating a separate title page is probably the safe option. This format is easily readable by anyone with a computer and will preserve your formatting exactly.

#Manuscript title page example pdf

If you're submitting electronically, save your manuscript as a PDF unless specifically told otherwise.

This is considered more readable by most.

Unless told otherwise, left align your text, leaving a jagged right edge (don’t “justify” the text).

Some recommend using hyphens or spaces, but slashes are typical as such: Smith / My Manuscript / 23. Commonly this is placed on the right margin.

Every page of text should have a header with your last name, the manuscript title (or just key words from it), and the page number.

You can go a bit bigger if desired, but there is no reason to have giant margins and a small text area in the center. One-inch (2.54 cm, or just 3 cm) margins all around is the typical standard.

Create margins that allow the editor room to scribble notes on the pages.

There is some disagreement on the best traditional font, but Times New Roman, Courier, and possibly Arial are the best bets. No big letters, no cramped pages to save trees / shipping costs, no Comic Sans font.

Make the manuscript readable by choosing a traditional, 12-point font and double-spacing everything.

Don’t staple the paper, and pack it neatly and securely for shipping. Also use a good-quality, 20-pound bond white paper if making a hard copy submission. No funky, unique, or 'pretty' colors of any kind.

Use all black text on all white paper.

Despite the SMF being akin to the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot - rumored but never proven to exist - there are some formatting guidelines that are practically universal and should always be followed. Usually, if your formatting is common, simple, and consistent, your manuscript’s odds of immediately landing on the “reject” pile will be reduced.

In absence of publisher guidelines, however, using the general guidelines here should work.

Guidelines will often be posted on the publisher's website, but if you aren't sure, you can contact a person in the acquisitions department for clarification.

For each publisher to which you submit your manuscript, check to see if they have specific formatting guidelines, and follow them if so.

You might think that flashy colors, unique fonts, or some other eye-catching effort might make your manuscript stand out, but they usually prefer a “boring” standardized look that allows them to quickly examine and assess the work. Editors have huge piles of submitted manuscripts - well, nowadays, perhaps countless email attachments - to read through at any one time. Recognize that editors prefer simplicity, familiarity, and consistency.