Posts Tagged ‘presentation of your manuscript’

As you are writing your book make sure you take the time to consider the layout and presentation. You can always go back and tidy it all up at the end, but it doesn’t hurt to bear in mind the main points while you are writing. Not only is it a good habit to get into, but it will also save time at the end.

Here are my tips for laying out and presenting your work:

1. Type your work directly into a good word processing programme. Microsoft Word is the standard one which almost all writers use.

2. Always use a font which is easy to read, such as Times New Roman, or Arial. Don’t make the writing too small, or too large. A point size such as 12 or 14 is perfect.

3. Include a title page at the beginning of your manuscript. This should include the following:

• The title of your book in a large point size, centred on the page.
• Your full name, address, email address and contact phone numbers on the bottom left hand corner of the page in a smaller font, point size 12 or 14.
• The word count of your book (which obviously you won’t know until you have finished writing it!)

4. Start each new chapter on a new page.

5. Double space your entire manuscript so that the lines aren’t one on top of the other.

6. Don’t include any images or fancy patterns on your manuscript. Keep it plain and professional looking.

7. Indent all paragraphs by hitting the tab key on your keyboard once. Do not indent the first paragraph of each chapter.

8. Start all new dialogue on a new line.

9. Include page numbers and a header and footer on each page. The header should include the title of your work and the footer the author’s name.
What Does A Book Layout Look Like?

Look at some examples of the genre you are writing in, and copy what looks good. There is a ‘standard’, but in practice every one is different!

You’ll need to know your rectos from your versos! Rectos are right hand pages and are odd numbered. Versos are the left-hand pages and are even numbered. The book always starts on a recto, and chapters always begin on a recto. (As with all things, break any of these rules if you have good reason).

If you go down the self publishing route you’ll need to create your own artwork and illustrations. Use clip-art, drawing programs, friends and whatever else comes to hand. Avoid colour, as it is very expensive. Be careful of copyright, as well, particularly photography. But we’ll discuss more about all this in a future book!

Getting the layout and presentation of your book right will impress agents and publishers and increase your chances of getting published. Take heed of the advice in this message and in the end you’ll be glad you did!

  Love & Light

The Word Queen xx