When submitting your book to agents or publishers, you should always check the relevant submission guidelines, but the requirements for manuscript format are broadly the same.
A manuscript format should feature letter or A4 page size, 12-pt Times New Roman (or similar) font, 1” margins, double-spaced lines, and 0.5” paragraph indents. As well as formatting your document correctly, youll also need a title page, page numbers, and a header.
With the help of Reedsy editor Chersti Nieveen, we’re here to walk you through the whole process. This is how you should format a book manuscript:
Getting your research or ideas published as a book or journal article requires submitting a properly formatted manuscript While each publisher has their own specific guidelines, there are general standards to follow to ensure your manuscript is organized, clear, and ready for consideration
This comprehensive guide covers the key components all strong academic and professional manuscripts should contain to wow editors and improve your chances of publication,
Craft an Eye-Catching Title
Your title is the first thing editors see and it needs to immediately capture their interest The title should
- Concisely summarize the central theme of your work
- Use powerful, descriptive language and keywords
- Intrigue readers and highlight the importance of your research
- Be 10-15 words long for journal articles, longer for books
Spend time brainstorming short, punchy titles that get across the crux of your manuscript. A title like “The Impact of Climate Change on Crop Yields” is more compelling than “My Research Project”.
Write an Informative Abstract
The abstract briefly summarizes your entire manuscript, including the purpose, methods, key findings, and conclusions. It should:
- Be around 150-250 words or a single paragraph
- Provide an overview of the research and highlights
- Use clear, precise language devoid of jargon or acronyms
- Usually be written last after you’ve completed the full manuscript
The abstract previews the scope of your work to help readers quickly decide if they want to read more. Make it succinct yet detailed.
The introduction orients readers to the background, context, and goals of your research. It should:
- Start broad, giving context before focusing on specifics
- Provide background on your research area, gaps in existing knowledge, and history
- Clearly state the hypothesis, objectives, significance, and goals of your study
- Keep explanations brief and impactful – around 1-2 pages
The introduction identifies how your work adds to the overall body of knowledge on a topic and why it matters.
Explain Your Methods and Materials
This section offers a detailed account of the methodology, approach, and resources used to conduct your study. It should outline:
- The overall research design and rationale for your approach
- Step-by-step procedures followed during experimentation
- Details of data sampling methods and sample sizes
- Surveys, equipment, simulation tools, or lab setups utilized
- Statistical analysis performed on collected data
Thorough methods allow readers to evaluate and potentially reproduce your experimentation. Stick to just the vital details.
Present the Results Clearly
The results section reveals the key data and findings from your research without interpretation. Use:
- Tables and figures to efficiently present lots of data
- Only the most pertinent graphs, images, statistics, measurements, and charts
- Headings and bullet points to separate major findings
- Clear descriptive language to walk readers through the discoveries
Results should focus only on significant patterns and relationships in the collected data without any conclusions drawn.
Analyze and Discuss the Results
While the results reveal the raw data, the discussion section provides critical analysis and interpretation of what the results mean.
- Offer well-reasoned explanations of the results and their significance
- Highlight whether your hypotheses were supported or disproved
- Compare your findings to existing academic theories and research
- Discuss the implications and importance of the results in context
- Identify strengths, limitations, issues, and future research needed
This section involves thoughtful analysis of how your findings contribute to academic understanding of your research area.
The conclusion concisely sums up the key inferences that can be made based on your research and results.
- State whether your original hypothesis was proven or disproven
- Emphasize the major takeaways and significance of your study
- Explain how the findings address gaps in current research
- Discuss any concrete recommendations stemming from the conclusions
- Keep it short and impactful – around 1 page
The conclusion drives home the most important discoveries without introducing any new information.
Compile an Accurate Reference List
The reference list cites all sources referenced in your manuscript using the required citation style.
- Use APA, MLA, Chicago, or specified citation style
- Include all in-text citations and numbers matching superscripts
- Cite peer-reviewed research journals, books, and other scholarly sources
- List references alphabetically by the author’s last name
Thorough referencing demonstrates the breadth of research influencing your work.
Adhere to Manuscript Guidelines
Each publisher specifies formatting rules like word count, font, spacing, style, and organization. Closely following guidelines shows editors you can produce compliant manuscripts for their press. Formatting tips:
- Use single spaced text in Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point font
- Set page margins between 1 to 1.5 inches
- Place tables and figures sequentially in the text
- Include page numbers and continuous line numbering
- Format the manuscript into one cohesive Word or PDF file
Strictly adhering to all provided instructions illustrates your attention to detail.
Perfect Your Manuscript Flow
Once you’ve created all key sections, refine the flow and continuity of ideas through the manuscript:
- Read from start to finish to identify any gaps in logic or explanations
- Verify sections seamlessly transition between one another
- Check that key terms and concepts are defined before being referenced
- Ask for feedback from peers to improve clarity and presentation
- Perform several rounds of thorough editing and proofreading
Smooth flow and lucid explanations will deeply engage readers in your publication.
Select the Right Journal or Publisher
Target your submissions strategically by carefully selecting journals or publishers closely aligned with your research area.
- Identify publishers open to early-career authors if applicable
- Ensure your manuscript meets a journal’s article word count limits
- Cross-reference your citations against target journals
- Leverage your advisor’s insights on good submission fits
Submitting to inappropriate or low quality journals wastes valuable time. Do your research to find ideal matches.
Conform Rigorously to Guidelines
Carefully read and adhere to each publisher’s submission specifications related to forms, cover letters, abiding copyright, etc. Failure to follow instructions can lead to immediate rejection.
- Address submission letters formally to the editorial board or editor
- Use the exact subject line and style for the submission email
- Provide requested contact information and disclosures
- Obtain needed approvals related to data rights or co-authorship
Diligently conforming to provided guidelines demonstrates your seriousness.
Respond Thoroughly to Reviews
If asked to revise and resubmit, use reviewer feedback to thoughtfully refine your manuscript:
- Annotate each reviewer comment with your planned response or edit
- Make substantive revisions addressing major criticisms or flaws
- Justify in your response any comments you disagree with
- Thank the reviewers for their time and insights
- Submit the revised manuscript with detailed author responses
Responding earnestly to critique shows you are committed to producing high-quality work worthy of publication.
Staying organized, communicating clearly, and following publisher guidelines when developing your original manuscript gives you the best shot at acceptance. With persistence and incorporating feedback, you can contribute your unique ideas to the scholarly community.
Use 1-inch margins for the manuscript format
Tap File > Page Setup and let’s get your paper settings in order.
Unless otherwise stated in the submission guidelines, use:
- Letter Size (8.5” x 11”) format for the US and Canada; and
- A4 (210 x 297mm) format for most other territories.
(Left: MS Word, Right: Google Docs)
Set one-inch margins on all four sides. This should already be the default setting on both Word and Google Docs. Some writers will tinker with the margin settings in an attempt to hide their manuscript’s true word count. Professionals can spot this straight away, so don’t do it.
A quick disclaimer before we go any further: some of these steps will look slightly different if you’re using Microsoft Word on Windows rather than iOS, as demonstrated in this post. For example, where on iOS you’ll see ‘Format’ or ‘File’, you’ll see ‘Layout’ on Windows.
Use Times New Roman font
Some editors and agents will prefer sans serif fonts (ones without the curly flourishes) but unless specified by the submission guidelines, stick to good old-fashioned Times New Roman.
How to Format Your Manuscript
How do you write a manuscript?
Writing manuscript starts with some standard intro pages to transition readers into your book’s content. One of the first things you’ll write is a short Dedication page. This very brief note thanks or acknowledges someone special who somehow supported you in writing your book. Not mandatory, but a nice touch.
How do I format a manuscript for chapters?
The page number (start page count on the first page of the actual story. Do not include a page number on the title page) It’s easy to want to throw your chapters together, one right after another, but there’s a more specific means of formatting your manuscript for chapters specifically.
How do I submit a manuscript for publication?
Consider these steps when submitting a manuscript for publication: 1. Create a title page In the upper left-hand corner of the title page, incorporate all your appropriate data, such as your name, contact information, the word count of the manuscript and your personal website if you have one.
How do you write a final manuscript?
Step on the right foot by perfecting the very first thing everyone sees of your final manuscript: the title page. Your title page should let the reader know what they’re reading, who wrote it, how to contact the author, and how long the piece is.
