Formatting can age you by ten years, create gray hair, and you may end up in therapy after trying to get your manuscript to behave, but it’s a necessary part of every writer’s life. I’m going to touch on some basic formatting rules using Microsoft Word, and I’ll also touch on some other basic formatting rules for you to apply to your manuscript.
When submitting to agents, be sure to follow their instructions for formatting. Some may be different than others. If you’re submitting to publishers, be sure to adhere to their style requirements. Every publishing house will have a house style, but the publishing industry as a whole follows the Chicago Manual of Style.
I’ve included screen shots of my Microsoft (which is for Mac, but the things I’ve included should look the same across Mac an PC platforms) for your enjoyment.
The Basics
- One inch margins all around.
- This is under the “Layout” tab in your ribbon. Set all margins to 1.
- Times New Roman font
- 12 point font
- This is under the “Home” tab in your ribbon. Change the font type and size here.
- Double space your document
- Indent the first line by 0.5”
- This is under the “Paragraph” setting. Your screen should look just like this.
- Set the left indention to 0″
- Special: to First line
- By: to 0.5.“
- Set your line spacing to Double with 0 pt Spacing before and after.
- Only one space after a period
- Use the serial comma.
- This is the only part that may be a little different on the PC version of Word. You’ll want to find your Grammar Settings and go in and set them to your preference. There are so many things Microsoft Word actually does for you if you have it set up correctly. On Word for Mac, I went into Tools > Auto Correct > Show All > Spelling and Grammar > Settings and then modified my grammar settings.
- Only one space after a colon. I haven’t found a setting that automatically sets this for you, but if I do, I’ll post it.
- Punctuation goes inside a quotation mark in the US, but can go outside of the quotation mark in the UK.
- There are many ways to use ellipses (…) but the most common use I see is trailing off.
- Example: She stood with her hands on her hips. “What do you mean you can’t go to … Oh.” The look on his face said it all.
- There are also many uses for the em dash (–). It can be used to interrupt dialogue.
- Example: “I said go clean your room.” “But Mom–” “Now!”
- An em dash can also be used in place of commas.
- Example: Because we haven’t packed–or even done laundry–we are unprepared for our trip!
Those are the formatting basics. There are so many other formatting tips and tricks. My biggest piece of advice is to get the Chicago Manual of Style and reference it; it’s a publisher’s go to guide.
Do you have any other questions about formatting? I’m happy to answer in the comments.
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
One Purple Squirrel
December 14, 2012 at 10:45 am
I didn’t know there was a check for cliches and colloquialisms. I’ll have to create some tortured writing and check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Courtney Koschel
December 16, 2012 at 8:50 am
Yes! There are lots of tricks that Word will do for you. If you have any specific questions for me, I can try to walk you through it
Glad you found this helpful!
Jamie Raintree
December 14, 2012 at 3:37 pm
This is great, Courtney! Thanks for the visuals too! I’m keeping this one on file.
Courtney Koschel
December 16, 2012 at 8:50 am
Glad to hear you found this helpful! Thank, Jamie
Nicole L. Bates
December 15, 2012 at 4:53 am
This is fantastic Courtney! I agree with Jamie, the visuals are very helpful. I thought I knew the basics, but you listed a couple I hadn’t heard of. I’ll have to check out the Chicago Manual of Style. Thanks for that reference, and thanks for the insider information!
Courtney Koschel
December 16, 2012 at 8:51 am
Word has a mind of its own sometimes. It’s not the best program for formatting manuscripts, but it’s the most commonly used. And the Chicago Manual of Style is a fabulous resource. Their online subscription is phenomenal. Thanks for stopping by!
bwtaylor75
December 15, 2012 at 6:49 am
I was recently approached by a beginning writer and had to scour the internet for a post half as good as this to recommend to them. I’m so happy you posted this. I’ll keep it on file and recommend it to anyone and everyone who needs it. I agree with everyone else, the visuals help a lot. Great post! I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Courtney Koschel
December 16, 2012 at 8:52 am
Aw, thank you, Brian. I’m glad you found it helpful! I’m happy to do another one if you’re interested. Let me know if you have anything specific, and I’ll do another post with more screenshots!
Connie Cockrell
December 15, 2012 at 6:52 am
This was very helpful. Thank you!
Courtney Koschel
December 16, 2012 at 8:52 am
Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for stopping by
Jani
December 16, 2012 at 5:17 am
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This is perfect, Courtney.
Courtney Koschel
December 16, 2012 at 8:52 am
Awesome! Glad you liked it
Morgan York
December 24, 2012 at 8:37 pm
So, wait…the standard font is Times New Roman, not Courier New? Because I scoured the Internet when formatting my MS and every single place I checked said to use Courier New (which I really didn’t want to use). Does this mean I can change it back and reduce the page count by about a million?!