How to Format Your Manuscript

If you're formatting your manuscript, it means exciting things are on the horizon: you're submitting to agents or editors. Unlike when drafting your manuscript for your own eyes,or typesetting an ebook, aesthetics, creativity, and personal preference don't come into play here. Instead, it's crucial to follow submission guidelines and professional manuscript formatting. Although it can be technical, it's not too complicated, and following these simple guidelines can make sure your manuscript isn't rejected on something as easily avoidable as incorrect formatting.
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[@a.v.6158]

I'm a visual learner, it would've been helpful if she did the tutorial on Word

[@rofernk4837]

I thought the same

[@roaminx]

You are absolutely on top of your game. Who knows how great your future will be. Thanks. You're helpful in all directions.

[@dear_totheheart]

Absolutely love and appreciate this! I think a practical look at what industry formatting ought to look like. Much appreciated, especially the fantastic tips and references! Seriously such a useful and needed video for the writing community

[@Reedsy]

So happy it helped!

[@eadlc]

Shaelin: Don't use all caps
Terry Pratchett: *laughs*

[@robinsprung207]

Great video as always!

[@AdeleDIYs]

So helpful! Thank you!!

[@OscarMaya212]

GREAT TUTORIAL! thank you for the template download

[@ScottyDMcom]

Two minor points. First, I don't believe _not_ indenting your first paragraph is a thing in MS format. It definitely a thing in typesetting a book, but not in the MS. However I can't imagine any real agent or editor would reject a MS because of indenting style on first paragraphs. Second, glad to see you mention how to show a scene break. I've critiqued too many chapters where the author thought a blank line was adequate. It is, unless the line happens to fall at a page boundary. Then we're left wondering if there's supposed to be a scene break here or not.

[@ngamminpyehaokip1979]

Perfect timing for me for this topic.
Edit: Ops! Please make a video on formatting for KDP.

[@ashishraulin]

Thanks a lott for this.. Actually Today I'm going to write my manuscript in Ebook format so that i'll upload it to Prime Minster office before July 30.. Your videos are really helpful..thanks again❤️😊

[@clintoreilly]

Thank you for the template. You all are awesome.

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

As a professional typographer/graphic designer, two spaces after a period should never have been abandoned. It creates a necessary visual breather between sentences. Illustrative of how some changes people made were just stupid.

[@Falconlibrary]

Pro tip: Showing actual examples makes for a truly informative and helpful video :)
Show, don't tell.

[@thegreatpatsy]

She's like 12, what do you expect LOL! Totally agree though, it's like a deep dark secret.

[@lokimiguel2452]

​@@thegreatpatsyshut the hell up

[@themasihshahbazi]

Thank you for making this video!

[@robertocarletti2188]

Thank you so much. The template helps.

[@paleimperfection]

Thank-you so much for the helpful video. :)

[@celestejustine]

This was so helpful

[@reginamontana942]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@shanonthompson-jopp9791]

Thank you. This was very helpful.

[@TheMattsterling]

This was really helpful!

[@thebookwasbetter3650]

I have mine formatted so that two pages appear on an 8 1/2 by 11 page side by side. It's meant to mimic a mass market paperback. Feels easier to edit since you are going through a book rather than a college paper format. Paragraphs look normal sized as apposed to stretched wide from left to right.

[@tejaswinisureshkrishnan4228]

Should the prologue be included in the sample pages? Because often the events mentioned in the synopsis start after the prologue so will that be confusing to agents?

[@vzd963]

Very useful - thank you.

[@paulsmyth6710]

Hello can we get a video demonstrating the time stamp layout please? Theres not enough info or videos out there regarding this for manuscripts. Thanks reedsy for your videos they are the best!

[@mr.anderson7631]

Great content. I liked and subscribed

[@ruttolomeo1987]

I like her. A lot.

[@markvenables7370]

So. Do. I.

[@viewsfromyaadtime]

Thank you!

[@navin_sinha2501]

Thank you for the video 👍

[@NicolesBookishNook]

For some reason, there are double spaces in my manuscript whenever there’s an italic word in the line. I can’t seem to fix it without getting rid of the italic. Any thoughts? It doesn’t pop up on Reedsy but it does in print form.

[@bubashalom8274]

Thank you very much

[@greggusan]

markymarktee, cute. And thank you for the useful vid and free template!

[@BGLFCreative.]

Nice thank you so much.

[@mathupriya541]

Very useful message thank you dear friend

[@gailsaunders3325]

Loved your video - where do I get the template you offered? Oops, found it!! :)

[@2DaysYouth]

thank you.

[@childofgodflower7015]

What was that software you using to show the manus?

[@BrushworksbyMonte]

Thanks

[@yamyamyams2629]

Yea, I need to see it to learn it gang....

[@vandaloo]

Does one inch all the way around include headers and footers?

[@maya-gur695]

OH MY GOD THANK YOU!
I never remember how to format!

[@velilog]

Hi! Does anyone know how to format parts (of chapters) in your manuscript? Would be really helpful, thanks!

[@AmoryPlays]

hey I got a question I want to make my own book but I need a *Manuscript title* but like is that the title/name of the book I am writing or?

[@stephystuff2955]

How do you submit your graphic novel?? Or comic book series??

[@starlightangel15]

Is a table of contents required in the manuscript?

[@eiarto8165]

Question: How much of the book should be included on the manuscript you are going to send to the publisher?

[@outcast-tk3gv]

how would you format a poetry passage in a fiction book for manuscript?

[@roseamy552]

How do you make the chapters start on the right side always?

[@bahamerican5350]

the link didn't work for me I did not get the e-mail to confirm so I can get the free manuscript downloaded.

[@MemoryOfDarkSky]

Do you put your real name or pen name in the top right of every page?

[@directedbydavid]

in this format, how many pages make a book? if a book from the store is 400 pages, how many "manuscript double spaced pages" is it?

[@mininovaband]

Please help, I got a request from an agent but I can't figure out how to fulfill this guideline. "Auto Return: 0.5” (no tabs)" Thank you. I'm writing in Google Docs.

[@vijaysubramanian9606]

can i use a4 for usa too?

[@elsieschmaltz6754]

Good

[@ahmedlz9495]

i wrote a school book that goes like lesson 1 :, I),1),a) with text zones for tips and conclusions ..... for 10-12 years old kids i want to continue styling all the titles and headers and text zones with fonts and colors and sizes and backgrounds for kids....i dont know how to make it lokk good and atractive any help pls ?

[@eriksmith2514]

Can you tell us how to make page numbers start on page two (so that the title page is not numbered even though it counts as page one)?

[@Reedsy]

There's a box you can check when adding a page number that says 'start on page 1,' and you just uncheck it!

[@betweenearthandsky4091]

What about if you are writing a poetry manuscript? How to format it ?

[@feat.shanika]

It would be nice to see this on the screen as she says this

[@skabettispaghetti5451]

I can't find the link to the free ms download.

[@akaye643]

Im sorry this is unrelated but you look a lot like Violette Wautier (thai actress) btw love your vids!

[@gravitv252]

😊😊

[@JodsonAndroid]

How can I send you my book as a gift?

[@TheAireaidLord]

I'm sorry but the chapter being a third of the way down the page doesn't make sense to me. It's just going to inflate the page size. I know it doesn't represent what the final product will be but it takes up some much necessary space.

[@Theforthplace]

cant get to the template

[@ianbell4816]

Are line numbers not a thing?

[@dawnsummerstar]

I'm trying to indent for my manuscript and tab doesn't work :/.

[@dawnsummerstar]

I can't even find the page setup option it only shows font and such.

[@LuisCorrales01]

It says the first page is page 2

[@helenarichard]

I'm sending my manuscript with paragraphs indentations, especially if the publisher has no instructions. It is easier to read.

[@thegreatpatsy]

There should be a vote to bring back the double space after periods! What was wrong with the old way? Rules, rules rules!!!!

[@tandoorstar1806]

Hi

[@andresvillavicencio506]

one hint: don't tell but show !

[@thegremlinduke2190]

I am just worldbuilding for an Isekai series should I create a format and let beta readers read my world to get feed back?

[@hiroxmiku]

Ok

[@betweenearthandsky4091]

Sorry but what is left justified? 😅

[@christopherconaway4028]

Useful information. In the future, maybe don't have so much caffeine prior to filming-

[@NO-yx6yl]

I hope you make babies you're so pretty and the world needs that

[@WTFBUTWHY]

Thanks for the help.
btw, you're so cute lol.
sry

[@fredberri7225]

Sorry, not at all easy to follow. Maybe a tutorial walking us through using word which most of us use.

[@hanansooting6478]

You talk too fast to follow your instructions..

[@moonsrisen8964]

Are you single? I'm 22 an aspiring writer from Oregon!! Think you're super cute 🥰

[@elsieschmaltz6754]

Talk slow will help.

[@meenabhatti6264]

Don’t just talk show us step by step.

[@ximenacifuentes9471]

She spoke Wayyy too fast!! 😝😠

[@ronimiller1875]

Thank you!

[@tandoorstar1806]

Hi