Need help on STANDARD MSS FORMAT

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calendula

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Hi everyone,

I know this is basic but I cannot find a definitive answer on standard manuscript format for non-fiction books. So far I have 12 point, double-spaced. But what font? The only answer I have seen is "courier" because it's a mono-spaced font. But does that mean any other font such as Times New Roman is unacceptable? Are ALL mss written in courier?

What is the definitive source for this - or like most things, I'm guessing there isn't one..!

Many thanks.

Deborah
 

Ashleen

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ms format

Your font should be Courier New or Times New Roman, 12-point. The margins should be at least 1" on all sides, but not wider than 1.5". Lines should be double spaced, justified left only, and pages not numbered. I think that's fairly standard.

One publisher I know requests the following:
Chapter titles should be 24 pt., bold, and centered.
Level One subheads should be 16 pt., bold, and flush left.
Level Two subheads should be 14 pt., bold, and flush left.
Level Three subheads should be 12 pt., bold, and flush left.

Example:
Chapter One: Lilies​
What are Lilies?
Growing Lilies Indoors
What You Need to Get Started
Potting Soil

Emphasis is another question. Most publishing houses have their own rules about how to show emphasis and how to distinguish names of newspapers, magazines, and books. If you do it differently, they'll impose the house style on it when they get to the editing stage. When you submit your ms., just be sure the way you've provided emphasis is consistent. Don't Italicize one time and underline or use quotes the next time you're making the same sort of emphasis.

The publishers I have worked with so far don't mind seeing a hard copy with illustrations, but they have also wanted a hard copy without illustrations. They want the text on disk chapter by chapter, and illustrations in a separate file on the disk. If illustrations are by other people, you'll need to include a release for their use. Keep copies of the releases and anything else you send to anybody.

I generally send a text-only hard copy, a hard copy with illustrations, and a hard copy thumbnail list of illustations specifying the captions, where I think the photo or drawing should be placed, and the source of the illustration (e.g., photo/drawing by Ashleen, or compiled from 3 separate clip art images).

Whether you are submitting a ms. to an agent or a publisher, check their website and look for submission guidelines. If there are some, follow them exactly. If there are none, remember that the ms. needs to be readable, and that your margins and titles/subheads (and emphasis) should be consistent throughout.

Hope that helps!
Ashleen


 
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