![]() ![]() ![]() If you forget this one, nobody’s going to turn down your manuscript because of it. Single space rather than two spaces after periods between sentences.(Former practice was to underline to show italicized words, but that’s no longer necessary unless an agent or publisher requests underlining.) You want agents and editors to know they’ve reached the end. Center a number sign # one double-spaced blank line down at the end of the manuscript.Skip a couple of spaces and begin the text of the chapter. Center the chapter title, even if it’s only Chapter One (or Chapter 1), about 1/3 of the way down the page. Begin chapters on new pages (insert a page break).Align the header to the right, so the information doesn’t interfere with the text of the manuscript. Include your last name, your title (or keywords from the title), and the page number in the page header of every page except for the title page.Indicate scene breaks by inserting a blank line and centering the number sign # in the center of the line.Number pages beginning with the actual story (don’t count or put page numbers on the title page).The right edges will not be uniform or even Double space no extra spaces between paragraphs.Half-inch paragraph indentations (five spaces) (this tab is pre-set in MS Word) for the first line of each paragraph. ![]() Twelve point, Times New Roman (or Courier New, if you insist), black font.They may have specific ways they want you to format your manuscript. If they don’t, and you have questions about how to indicate scene breaks, or what font to use, I recommend using the outline below from The Editor’s Blog: If this is the first time you’ve gotten a request, again be sure to follow the directions dictated by the agent. Give them a chance to either bow out or offer to read within an allotted time (some recommend one to two weeks based on the conversation you’ve already had with offering agent). It’s okay to send a short note to the agent acknowledging their request and letting them know you are making changes. Many agent interviews I’ve read recommend making the changes and then sending. Now with requests several issues may come up:ġ) You’re in the middle of more revisions, or you’ve gotten specific feedback from a contest or agent that you’d like to make. If it’s a request from a contest or conference, make sure you write in the subject line: REQUESTED MATERIALS (with some reference point i.e. This way the agent has a frame of reference for your work. If the agent is requesting your manuscript, it’s still fresh in his/her mind. – Be sure your manuscript is formatted correctly (see details below) Most agents say it’s okay to go over a little to get to the end of a scene or chapter, but don’t push the limit. If they ask you to make your query the first page, DO IT! If they ask for the first 50 pages, be honest and send 50 pages (not 75 or 100). I can’t stress this enough – FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. In most cases, the requesting agent will give you specific directions on how to submit. But then that day comes, you see, or hear, you have something in your inbox and there it is: A REQUEST!! Give yourself a minute to revel in it – enjoy it! After that, it’s time to focus on your next steps. Yes, in this case patience can be a virtue (albeit a painful one). You write those letters, press “send” and then wait, jumping every time your email alert goes off. Being in the query trenches can sometimes be a long and tedious process. ![]()
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