Wrestling With The Book Manuscript Format

Sep 1
17:15

2011

Tamara Jones

Tamara Jones

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For first time writers looking to write the correct book manuscript format, this is the article you must read to cover all necesities of submitting a great manuscript.

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For many inexperienced first time writers,Wrestling With The Book Manuscript Format Articles the book manuscript format may present itself as a non-vital element in the grand scheme of things in the world of writing. That may be the most dangerous assumption that could be made by any first time writer. In fact, it may even be argued that formatting should be given equal weight when compared with the actual act of writing itself since the editor may misjudge your work simply because of the format of your manuscript. To avoid the pain of being rejected and having to go over a rejected manuscript, follow these simple but critically important guidelines so that your journey in book publishing will go as smoothly as silk.

As a general rule in following the book manuscript format, you need to intuit the things that would make reading and editing so easy that even a four year old could do it. This means providing for ample space between lines, usually double spacing and using the appropriate font type and size. Properly spaced margins are also valued at a premium, since they would be the place where most of the editor's comments would go. It need not be mentioned that proper grammar and correct spelling are assumed even before you submit your work. With all the software tools at your disposal and present today, there simply is no credible excuse to not follow any of these guidelines.

It must be said that a cardinal rule in the book manuscript format is that you should never make your manuscript appear better than it actually is through superficial means. Don't spray perfume on it or even try to bribe the editor and literary agent! Trust me, if your work is really so good that it deserves perfume in the first place, it would be treated in such manner by your readers when your manuscript has been published. Fans would want to ask for your autograph wherever you may go, children (if your work is a children's book) would place your book on top of the shelf, adults would laminate and even put it on a frame.

But always remember, this would only happen if you properly follow the book manuscript format when you submit your manuscript. Like it or not, the book publishing process is more of a commercial and business activity rather than an art of expression. The publishers' capital is time and because of the Internet, they've actually had less of it because of the tons of manuscript submissions they have to deal with on a daily basis. Make it easy for them to read your work and your natural talent will grasp them like claws of steel.