Manuscripts 1 2 7 – Writing Tool For Complex Documents

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Format your manuscript to industry standards

Pitch your book to agents and publishers with a perfectly formatted manuscript.Blog >Understanding Publishing – Posted on June 7, 2020

When you're writing a first draft that's for your eyes only, there's no 'wrong' manuscript format. Whatever helps you get your ideas down is perfectly fine — don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Some writers will write longhand on a legal pad; others might choose to use specialist formatting tools so they can see how the text will look like in its final form.

However, when it comes to sharing your book with agents and publishers — whose favor can make or break your career — you must make sure that your manuscript's format doesn't make you stand out of the wrong reason.

What is a manuscript?

If you've never been published, you might wonder why we're calling this a manuscript and not simply a 'book format.' The word manuscript comes from the Latin for 'handwritten.' After all, in the past, all literary works were drafted freehand. In modern usage, the manuscript format commonly refers to early drafts of novels, non-fiction works, or even short stories. Or to put it another way, it's your book before it gets published.

With the help of editor Chersti Nieveen, we've created this post with tips to help you achieve an industry-standard manuscript format. If you want to skip the juicy details and just download your template, tap right here.

How to Format Your Manuscript in 3 Steps

These steps will help you set up a document in your word processor so that it automatically writes in manuscript format. In other words, you can 'set and forget' the formatting.

Step 1: Get the right document settings

You can get most of the formatting work done right away with just a few choice settings. Because they're the most popular word processors, we'll show you how to set up your document in both Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Document Format

The standard file used in publishing is .doc or .docx. Both standards are native to Microsoft Word and compatible with all mainstream word processors, including Google Docs.

File Name

No need to get creative here. Just name your file something descriptive and professional. That way, if the agent or publisher wants to search for you or your book on their hard drive, all they need to do is remember some part of your name or the title. With that in mind, name your file with those details plus the date: Lastname_TITLE_date.doc

Use underscores to separate the words in the file name — this prevents the file name from being garbled when the spaces get translated as '%20' by some systems.

Paper Size

Unless otherwise stated in the submission guidelines, use:

• Letter Size (8.5' x 11') format for the US and Canada; and
• A4 (210 × 297mm) format for most other territories.

(Left: MS Word, Right: Google Docs)

Margins

One inch margins on all four sides. This should be the default setting on both Word and Google Docs.

Font

Times New Roman, 12pt, Black.

Some editors and agents will prefer sans serif fonts (ones without the curly flourishes) but unless specified by the submission guidelines, stick to good old-fashioned Times New Roman.

Alignment

The text should be aligned to the left-hand side.

Line Spacing

The lines should be double spaced and there should be no extra line break between paragraphs. This is how you can change those settings:

• MS Word: Format → Paragraph → Spacing.
• Google Docs: Format → Line Spacing

Indentation

Each new paragraph (and each new portion of dialogue) should start with an indentation. The exception would be the start of a new chapter or scene. Instead of hitting ‘tab' every paragraph, you can set this up as the default.

• Microsoft Word: Format → Paragraph → Indentation → Left: 0.5' → Special: First line
• Google Docs: Format → Align & indent → Indentation options → Special: First Line → 0.5'

(Left: MS Word, Right: Google Docs)

Header

Each page should have a header with the page number, author's surname, and a reference to the book's title in ALL CAPS.

The header of every page should have your surname, the book title, and the page number with this standard format:

SURNAME/ TITLE/ PAGE #

If your title is longer than three words, abbreviate it by choosing a few keywords. For example, the first page of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time would have the following as the header:

HADDON/ CURIOUS INCIDENT/ 1

Here's how you can format your document so that these automatically appear on each page.

In Microsoft Word:

Manuscripts 1 2 7 – Writing Tool For Complex Documents Template

• Insert → Page Numbers → Position: Top of page (Header) → Alignment: Right → Uncheck 'Show number on first page.' Then click Format… → Start at: 0

• Then double-click at the top of the page to add your surname and book title (see below). Align right to match the page number.

In Google Docs:

• Insert → Header & page number → Page number → [the icon showing page numbers on the top right, starting with the second page]

You don't want to count your title page as 'PAGE 1' of your manuscript, which is why you have to choose the ‘different first page' option.

With your document now all set up, you're ready to work on the content of your manuscript.

Step 2: Create your title page

Before we get into Chapter One, take a moment to set up your title page. All text should also be in 12pt Times New Roman in black, just like the rest of your manuscript.

Contact Details

In the top left-hand corner of the title page, list your legal name and your contact details (including email address and phone number).

If you already have an agent, you should list their name and contact information instead.

Word Count

In the top right-hand corner, list your word-count to the nearest thousand.

Title and Author Name

In the center of the page, write your title in ALL CAPS and two lines beneath, write your author name — this can be a pen name that you've decided to use in your creative life.

Category and Genre

Centered at the bottom of the page, list the category and then the genre. Category usually refers to the age group of the intended reader: Adult, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Chapter Book, Picture Book, et al.

You may feel that your book belongs to many genres, but listing five genres will make agents and editors despair. If you're at a loss, try to think of the section of a bookstore where you'd imagine your work being shelved.

A quick aside on front matter. If your aim is to seek traditional publishing, you will share this manuscript with agents and editors. You want them to read your words, so it's advisable to skip most of the things that would fall into the front matter: dedications, copyright pages, etc.

Step 3: Format your chapters

Okay, now that you've tidied your manuscript around the edges, let's do what we came here to do and format each and every paragraph of your book. Here are some useful tips:

New Chapters

When you kick off a new chapter, start it on a fresh page. Hit the enter key so that you're about a third of the way down the page, and enter the chapter number in ALL CAPS with center alignment:

CHAPTER ONE (or CHAPTER 1)

If your chapter has a subtitle — which might be your chapter title itself, or the name of the POV character — enter that directly below:

CHAPTER FOURThe Man from Okinawa

If you wish to indicate that there has been a time dash between chapters (it might take place sometime before or after the previous chapter) then enter that two lines above the chapter heading. For example:

Three years later

CHAPTER 10‘P' is for Psycho

Chapter Breaks

Chapter breaks are often used to indicate a time dash or a switch of POV character. Some authors may skip to another location or scene with a new paragraph — but this can often confuse the reader. If you want there to be no doubt that you're jumping to a new scene, you can use a chapter break — indicated by a hash/pound sign (#) or three spaced asterisks (* * *).

The Ending

It sounds stupid, but don't forget to write The End at the end of your manuscript! This way, if your book has an ambiguous ending, the reader won't think that they're missing the final pages.

Dialogue and Other Style Pointers

If you wish to get every last detail of your manuscript format right, you should invest in a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style – the gold standard for publishing in the US. However, you can acquit yourself pretty well just by reading the guide to punctuating dialogue on our blog and following these suggestions:

• Never use ALL caps in dialogue. It just makes your characters look bad.
• Never use underlining in your manuscript.
• Only use a single space after periods/full stops. We know it's an unpopular take, but double spaced sentences are outdated abominations that championed by some of the worst people.

If you're completely obsessed with getting everything right, you can always hire a copy editor to polish your manuscript before you send it out — though we'd only really advise that if also you're very unsure about how your prose is reading.

Example: Manuscript Format Template

If you're not sure how to set up your document as we've laid out above, don't worry. To simplify things, we've created a template that has you covered. If you sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address below, we'll send that template to you in both Word and Google Docs format.

Enter your email to download Reedsy's Manuscript Format Template!

You'll get it in your email inbox right away.

We mentioned it in the introduction but it bears repeating: always follow submission guidelines! If you're sending your manuscript into an agency or publisher, they will likely have their guidelines listed somewhere on their website. Read them and follow them to a T — even if it conflicts with what we've said in this post. But if there aren't any specific requirements, we're pretty confident that this format will keep you in clear.

And what if you're looking to self-publish right away, we've got you covered too. Just put your masterpiece directly into the Reedsy Book Editor, our free, web-based writing and formatting tool. It'll turn out a beautifully typeset book and convert it into any format you might need, whether you want a print book or an ebook.

Best of luck getting published and see you on the shelves! Sketch 53 2003.

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Format your manuscript to industry standards

Pitch your book to agents and publishers with a perfectly formatted manuscript.✕

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Modification History

Release	Comments
Release 1	This version first released with BSB Business Services Training Package Version 1.0.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan documents, draft text, prepare final text and produce documents of some complexity.

It applies to individuals who work in a range of business environments and are skilled in the creation of reports, information and general promotion documents that are more complex than basic correspondence, memos or forms and that require review and analysis of a range of information sources.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Unit Sector

Communication – Writing

Elements and Performance Criteria

Manuscripts 1 2 7 – Writing Tool For Complex Documents Pdf

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1 Plan documents	1.1 Determine the purposes of documents 1.2 Choose appropriate formats for documents 1.3 Establish means of communication 1.4 Determine requirements of documents 1.5 Determine categories and logical sequences of data, information and knowledge to achieve document objectives 1.6 Develop overview of structure and content of documents
2 Draft text	2.1 Review and organise available data, information and knowledge according to proposed structure and content 2.2 Ensure data, information and knowledge is aggregated, interpreted and summarised to prepare text that satisfies document purposes and objectives 2.3 Include graphics as appropriate 2.4 Identify gaps in required data and information, and collect additional material from relevant enterprise personnel 2.5 Draft text according to document requirements and genre 2.6 Use language appropriate to the audience
3 Prepare final text	3.1 Review draft text to ensure document objectives are achieved and requirements are met 3.2 Check grammar, spelling and style for accuracy and punctuation 3.3 Ensure draft text is approved by relevant enterprise personnel 3.4 Incorporate revisions in final copy
4 Produce document	4.1 Choose basic design elements for documents appropriate to audience and purpose 4.2 Use word processing software to apply basic design elements to text 4.3 Check documents to ensure all requirements are met

Foundation Skills

Manuscripts 1 2 7 – Writing Tool For Complex Documents Free

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Skill	Performance Criteria	Description
Reading	1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 4.3	Interprets information to identify requirements and prepares material suitable to target audience and environment Proofreads texts for accuracy
Writing	1.6, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1	Creates documents for a specific audience using cohesive and well-structured language to convey detailed and accurate information Ensures vocabulary, layout and grammatical arrangement achieves meaning and intent of document
Oral Communication	1.1, 1.4, 2.4, 3.3	Obtains information or clarifies requirements by asking questions and listening
Navigate the world of work	1.4, 4.3	Adheres to organisational policies and procedures related to document production
Interact with others	1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.4, 3.3	Follows accepted communication practices and protocols when seeking advice about documents from colleagues, supervisors and managers
Get the work done	1.1-1.6, 2.1-2.5, 3.3, 4.1-4.2	Plans, organises and implements tasks required to produce documents Makes decisions based on standard procedures, using more formal decision making processes where required Uses the main features and functions of digital tools to complete work tasks

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version	Code and title previous version	Comments	Equivalence status
BSBWRT401 Write complex documents	BSBWRT401A Write complex documents	Updated to meet Standards for Training Packages	Equivalent unit

Links

Manuscripts 1 2 7 – Writing Tool For Complex Documents Needed

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=11ef6853-ceed-4ba7-9d87-4da407e23c10