Questions re: header and page no in MS

MatchmakerJane · Oct 20, 2008

Okay two quick questions that have probably been covered many, many times and I just can't find them.

In the MS does it matter where you place the page number? Mine are currently centered at the bottom.

Also I've heard you should place your MS title in a header but I was wondering if its right or left justified and if you should include your name.

thanks!!!

vixey · Oct 20, 2008

Yes. It matters.

In the header, it's your last name/TITLE (left side)...... page number (right side). (Don't show ellipses - it's blank spaces.)

Depending on how long your title is, you can put a short version of the title in that space. As in Daisies for Mother, you might just type DAISIES. But the title is all caps.

MatchmakerJane · Oct 20, 2008

Thanks Vixey. You rock!

Yeshanu · Oct 20, 2008

Here's a much more thorough explanation of ms formatting, from someone who's got books on the shelves of your local bookstore.

(Not that vixey doesn't rock. I agree with you there...)

Mumut · Oct 20, 2008

I don't generalise. I put these things where my publishers tell me to. Look at the submissions guide of your agent or publisher and follow that.

jannawrites · Oct 21, 2008

And don't stress too much. I don't think a pub or editor will call the shots based on whether your title is capitalized or not. Include all the details in the most professional way you can (given the advice above), and you'll be good to go. Good luck!

The Lonely One · Oct 21, 2008

I followed an example like this:

Pumber / Book Title (or keywords for longer titles) / #

or maybe I had the title first....

I put it in the upper right of each page exactly like that. The publisher I'm submitting to didn't specify so I just found a reputable source and copied copied copied.

HeidiHole · Oct 21, 2008

In the header, it's your last name/TITLE (left side)...... page number (right side). (Don't show ellipses - it's blank spaces.)

It makes more sense to type NAME/TITLE/page number all together in the upper right corner of each page so the reader's eye doesn't have to first find your name and shortened version of your title in one corner, and the page number in the other. Through a full ms, that can become distracting.

The Lonely One · Oct 21, 2008

This is a great source:

http://www.shunn.net/format/story.html

Really helpful. It's a MS--about submitting a MS.

(Is it a MS or an MS? Sorry, question for another post.)

Anyways, check it out.

Danalynn · Oct 22, 2008

(Is it a MS or an MS? Sorry, question for another post.)

MS is short for Manuscript. You wouldn't say an manuscript, so it's a MS.

FennelGiraffe · Oct 22, 2008

The Lonely One said:
(Is it a MS or an MS? Sorry, question for another post.)

It depends on how you say it. If you see 'MS' and say 'manuscript', use 'a'. If you see 'MS' and say 'emm ess', use 'an'.

Questions re: header and page no in MS

MatchmakerJane

vixey

C'est la vie!

MatchmakerJane

Yeshanu

Elf Queen

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

jannawrites

no, really

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

HeidiHole

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Danalynn

NEVER give up!!!!

FennelGiraffe

It's green they say