Comments on: Manuscript Formatting – Keep It Simple

By: jorgekafkazar

jorgekafkazar — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:04:33 +0000

I usually do both if there’s any chance someone will shuffle the entire m/s.
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By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:28:03 +0000

Jorge, like your idea of pencil lines to help line up manuscript pages… although I’d probably like numbers and a slug line better.

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:25:03 +0000

If my post suggested an unprofessional look, that’s not what I meant. But fussing over a 1/4 inch one way or the other makes no sense to me and doesn’t seem professional.
Anne Mini’s post http://www.annemini.com/?p=11154 describes some typical formatting mistakes… you’ve got to work your way down through some prose to get there. Thanks, Elizabeth, for the resource… is she an agent or what? I never did find her about page

By: Elizabeth West

Elizabeth West — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:38:39 +0000

For books, I’ve been following author/editor Anne Mini at http://www.annemini.com/. She is a WEALTH of good info that has not only made my manuscript read better, but look better too. I’m querying my first book right now. Believe me, I want/need every advantage I can get. I don’t want my book to tick off Millicent (her name for the agent’s assistants who do all the prelim reading)! I want my submission to look as professional as can be. These people are not asking me to write for them; I’m trying to convince them that I can.
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By: jorgekafkazar

jorgekafkazar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:23:04 +0000

I strongly advise against using anything smaller than 12 point.

Pagination (duh) is also wise, but for scripts, which frequently get taken apart or handled page-by-page, I sometimes run a #1 pencil in a slanting line down the right hand edge of the stack. Any page that later gets out of order will stand out and can be quickly put back in proper sequence.
jorgekafkazar recently posted..Watcher in the Night deciphered

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:29:44 +0000

I’ll let you know as soon as I do one, Anne.

I am thinking about expanding into ghostwriting of books (instead of just articles). Can you point me in the direction on your site for information about ghostwriting for books? I think I am going to start with some of my industry experience to pitch, but I am in the long-term planning stage, so there is absolutely no rush.

I figured I’d start with the pro. Thanks, Anne.
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