Cover Page and 1st chap... same page or not?

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

Guys, I'm stuck with a question.

I've read on the following sites that the first chapter should be on the same page as the cover page.

http://www.unnamedwriters.org/manuscript.html

http://www.eclectics.com/rebecca/setup.html

http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/dec98/shunn.htm

A good friend told me that Rachael Vater, Noah Lukeman and other agents (and books) say that the cover page and the first chap should be on separate pages.

Is that true? Did Rachael say that? What's the deal?

swvaughn · Feb 20, 2007

I've always thought the cover page should be separate. Seems a bit neater and more logical that way. And (don't quote me but) I think Miss Snark also agrees that a separate cover page is best.

Siddow · Feb 20, 2007

I just clicked on the writerswrite link, and noticed that was written by William Shunn, who is the link-all, beat-all man to go to for format. But that page is for short stories. Go to www.shunn.net/format/novel.html for his thoughts on formatting novels.

And obsess about the writing, above all else.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 20, 2007

Cover page

It's called a "cover page" because it covers the manuscript. If it isn't a separate page, it isn't a cover page because it isn't covering anything.

And it doesn't really matter in the least. A cover page is a good thing for an agent or editor to stick in a file, but it's always a good idea to have your name and contact information on page one. Cover pages get lost or misplaced with alarming regularity.

maestrowork · Feb 20, 2007

"Cover page" should be separate. It should not be confused with "title page."

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

But should the title of story, name of author and address stuff be on the first page?

maestrowork · Feb 20, 2007

Yes, all that stuff, plus word count, title, byline goes on the first page. And start your first chapter/prologue on the first page, too.

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

Wait I'm confused, that stuff goes on the cover page. Thats what the others said and they said Snark and Vater want that too.

AncientEagle · Feb 20, 2007

Put it on both.

maestrowork · Feb 20, 2007

I usually don't even have a cover page. There's a cover letter, then the title page and the rest of the ms.

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

Thanks guys! I'll look around.

The Scip · Feb 20, 2007

maestrowork said:
I usually don't even have a cover page. There's a cover letter, then the title page and the rest of the ms.

I might not need this infor for a few more months...but what goes on the title page?

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

Good Question!

maestrowork · Feb 20, 2007

A title page looks like this:

Code:

[FONT="Courier New"]Name
Address
Phone
E-mail Address

Word count





                                  TITLE OF THE BOOK
                                          by
                               Author's Name/Pen Name



                                      Chapter 1

It was a dark and stormy night....

[/FONT]

Cassiopeia · Feb 20, 2007

maestrowork said:

A title page looks like this:

Code:

[FONT=Courier New]Name
Address
Phone
E-mail Address

Word count





                                  TITLE OF THE BOOK
                                          by
                               Author's Name/Pen Name



                                      Chapter 1

It was a dark and stormy night....

[/FONT]

you just rock you know that? Thanks for all you do to help us

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

So like this for title page...

Me 89,000 words
street
town, state, zip
phone

ANNABELLE AND ROLAND, THE NIGHT CHILDREN
By Scott Bryan W/A Jack Roberts

CHAPTER ONE
THE TRAGEDY OF MARK REMINGTON

Fear drove Annabelle forward. Her mind raced as she flew through the forest. She looked at her brother, tossing her bushy red curls aside.

Jack_Roberts · Feb 20, 2007

Dang! Can't seem to indent or center.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 21, 2007

Cover page

maestrowork said:
I usually don't even have a cover page. There's a cover letter, then the title page and the rest of the ms.

I don't use a cover page, either, but if I didn't have an agent, I definitely would use one.

The Scip · Feb 21, 2007

So maestro, you start the first chapter right on the page with the title etc...?

maestrowork · Feb 21, 2007

Yes... midway down the page: Title, byline, etc.

Then three spaces down, start the first chapter/prologue/etc.

Jack_Roberts · Feb 21, 2007

Hmm. And that's how I first had it before my latest beta told me not too. You've been published and it worked for you, so I'll do the same.

Cover Page and 1st chap... same page or not?

Scribe of my muse, Annabelle

adrift

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Fear the Death Ray

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Fear the Death Ray

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Old kid, no need to be gentle.

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...walks this way.

Scribe of my muse, Annabelle

Fear the Death Ray

Otherwise Occupied

Scribe of my muse, Annabelle

Scribe of my muse, Annabelle

...walks this way.

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