Use a basic font for your manuscript such as Times New Roman or Courier; set it to 12 point, black only. Set side, top and bottom margins to a minimum of 1 inch with justified left margins. Double space the text. Indent paragraphs. Every page, except title pages for book manuscripts, should include a header containing your name, manuscript title and page number.
Start the first page of an article or short story manuscript by spacing halfway down the page; center the title, double space down and begin the text. For book manuscripts, center the book title half way down the page. Double space, then enter your author name. Triple space, then add your name (your real name if you write under a pseudonym), address, phone number and e-mail.
Number pages sequentially from the first page of the manuscript to the last. This applies to both book manuscripts and shorter works such as article manuscripts.
Print the manuscript on quality paper. Use white 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper with a minimum weight of 20 lbs.