Manuscript Formatting

 Given a choice, this is how we’d like to receive our manuscripts:

Manuscript Formatting 101

The following rules comprise a generic professional guideline to formatting a manuscript for electronic submission. Individual publications may vary by editor tastes so always check the specific guidelines. However, manuscripts formatted according to the below listed rules will generally present as professional when submitted to a speculative fiction venue:

  1. Manuscript file format should be in RTF form as an attachment to an e-mail.
  2. Font should be Times New Roman or Courier: 12 point size minimum, 14 point maximum.
  3. Line spacing should be double except for title page exceptions noted below.
  4. All paragraphs should be indented one-half inch, except for the first paragraph and any paragraph following a scene-break or point of view change - such paragraphs having NO indentation.
  5. There should be no additional line breaks inserted between paragraphs save for scene breaks and point of view changes.
  6. Scene changes and point of view changes should be denoted by the insertion of a line between paragraphs with a single “#” character centered on the line.
  7. The first page of a submission - henceforth known as the title page - should be formatted as follows:
    • At the top left corner, single spaced, and on separate lines, the following: Name, address, City/State-Province/Zip-mailing code/Country, e-mail, telephone (optional).
    • Switch line-spacing to double and enter in three blank lines.
    • On the fourth line, add the title of the work, left justified.
    • Insert a blank line.
    • Add the author name you wish the work to appear by, left justified. On this same line, right justified, add the word count estimate.
    • Insert three more blank lines.
    • Begin your story.
  8. On each page AFTER the title page, include the following, right justified, in the header: “Author last name” / “Story title” / “Page #”
  9. At the end of your story, on a single line, the word “End”
  10. The only normally allowed special formatting is italics. This may be denoted through the actual use of italics or by underlining affected text, NOT both. If the mechanics of your story require the use of specially formatted text for some unfathomable reason, please query first before submitting.