Manuscript Format Checklist

Source: sfwriter.com

Manuscripts being submitted to editors should be in the standard format expected by the publishing industry. Although some idiosyncratic variations are occasionally seen, this format is accepted universally at virtually all magazines and publishing companies, and is designed to facilitate the process of line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Only deviate from it if you have received specific instructions to do so.

Header/Footer Material

1. Printed on one side of white 8.5x11-inch 20-pound paper; pages not stapled or bound.

2. Authors real name, address, phone number, and email address in upper left of page one.

3. Approximate, rounded word count.

4. Notice that this is a Disposable Copy if you only want the editor's reply but not the actual manuscript returned.

5. Title and authors name (or pen name) centered about halfway down the first page.

6. A page header identifying the author, story, and page number on each page after the first, flush with the right page margin: Author Name/Name of Book/Page Number.

7. On the last page, an indication that this is actually the end of the story: "# # # # #" or "The End,"

The Actual Story:

1. One-inch margins on all four sides of the page.

2. Ragged right margin (not right-justified).

3. Hyphenation turned off.

4. Double-spaced lines.

5. Punctuation inside of quotation marks.

6. A new paragraph every time you change speaker.

7. Scene breaks shown by a number sign (#) centered on a blank line.