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How to Format a Novel for Publication

You may have written the "Great American Novel," but if you submit it to literary agents or publishers in the wrong format, no one is going to read it. Novels, like screenplays, require a specific format that demonstrates a writer is professional enough to follow the rules. Using the right font and line spacing will give your manuscript a professional sheen that belies the fact that you are not a published author.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use Times New Roman 12-point font and enter the name of the manuscript about halfway down the title page. Double-space and write "by," then double-space and write your name.

    • 2

      Write your contact information in the upper left-hand corner of the title page. Write your name, address, phone number and email address on separate lines. For example:

      John Smith

      1234 Anylane Drive

      New York, NY 20201

      718-555-1234

      [email protected]

    • 3

      Write the word count of your manuscript in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. It should look like this: "WORD COUNT: 125,000." Most word-processing programs have a word-count function that provides this figure, but you can approximate the word count by multiplying the number of pages in your manuscript by 250, which is considered the standard number of words on a page.

    • 4

      Use 1-inch margins on all pages of your manuscript with 1/2-inch indentations for each new paragraph and align the left margins (except for the beginning of new paragraphs). Only use one space after a period.

    • 5

      Double-space between each sentence and new paragraph, and number the pages beginning with the second page, which means you should never number the title page.

    • 6

      Create a header in the upper right-hand corner of every page, excluding the title page, that includes your last name, the title of your manuscript and the page number. Most word-processing or manuscript-writing programs will automatically paginate for you, but you will have to type in the other information. It should look like this: "Smith/Victory/3."

    • 7

      Start a new page for each new chapter of your manuscript. Center the chapter title or the chapter number about a third of the way down the page. Double-space twice before typing the first sentence of the chapter.

Fiction

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