How many?

Two, if your making a single submission, one for the publisher and one for yourself. If making more than one submission then you'll obviously need more, but always keep one as your own copy for added security. If you're using an agent, then they'll need two or three for multiple submissions. For a commissioned book the amount will be specified in the contract. Print a single copy from a computer, and then use a photocopying bureau to save money.

Paper.

Use A4 bond paper in bulk, paper which is too thin is unacceptable; and remember that buying in small amounts will cost more overall.

Layout.

• Leave two lines below the header.
• Double-space every line of the manuscript, a full blank line, also for tables, quotations etc.
• Don't use unusual fonts etc., as this will be up to the designer, if you have strong thoughts on which font your work should appear in, then put your requests in a cover letter. Times New Roman is a good standard font to work with.
• Don't use italic formatting, instead underline everything you want to appear in italics, this is a a standard mark-up convention and clearer.

Headlines and Divisions.

Always begin new chapter on a new page; though don't use a new page for sub-headings as it's confusing. If using chapter headings, like a title for each one as well as a number, then try to keep the titles short, not in Italics or underlined. Use a blank line above and below headings to indicate them.

      Don't leave a blank line in-between text paragraphs as it makes section breaks harder to see. Paragraph spacing can usually be adjusted in your word-processors paragraph dialogue box. And remember, if a text paragraph ends at the bottom of a page, then make a note in the margin so the printer knows that. Don't put a little line of stars under it as appears in finished novels because the printer will probably miss it; they only look for margin notes.

Alterations to the Manuscript.

For any kind of large alteration, reprint the manuscript. For a very small change at the last minute, when you don't want to reprint the whole manuscript, you can add an additional page. For example, to add a page after 47, then label page 47 at the top right hand corner under the number to indicate that there's an extra page:

     Lastly, for deletions, use a line through rather than correction fluid; it's much clearer and again standard printers' code.

Prelims.

Prelims are the pages that go before the manuscript itself, like a cover pager etc. This won't appear in the published work. It's a good idea that they consist of:

• A cover sheet. The cover sheet should contain,
• A full title, plus sub-title if applicable.
Your name exactly as it will appear on the finished work, so if you're using a pen name, then put that here and not your real name.
• The number of pages in the manuscript
• Word count.
• Enclosure notice if applicable, e.g. SAE, illustrations etc.
• A copyright notice.
• Your real name and address, and that of your agent if you have one.

Ambrosia
By
J.S. Lipton.





Copyright J.S. Lipton.
362 Pages Typescript.
Approx. 76,000 words.

Real Name Goes Here.
Agent Address Here.

     Next, include a title page - just the book's title and the author's name.

     Other information often included especially for non-fiction books could be:

• A list of other publications you've already authored.
• A dedication.
• A foreword written by someone other than yourself.
• An introduction or preface, usually written and signed by yourself.
• Acknowledgements.
• List of abbreviations of a specialist book.
• Some publishers include a brief biography.
• Table of contents (non-fiction) only put the numbers in pencil as they'll have to be changed, but are useful to the editor in the beginning.
• A list of tables if you're including them. Each table should be on a separate sheet, then collated at the end of the manuscript with margin notes in the manuscript itself to indicate where they are to be inserted. Number the tables clearly, provide captions and indicate where they will go.
• A list of illustrations, as each illustration must be numbered. The list should give the number and a brief caption. Cross-reference with them with margin notes in the manuscript. Indicate if they are rough or finished work. If there are large amounts of unsolicited illustrations, enclose only a sample and indicate that they are a brief selection.

Endmatter.

End matter is what goes after you type The End at the conclusion of your story. Depending on the type of project you're working on, your may contain any of the following:

• Appendix.
• Endnotes numbered for reference. Publishers much prefer them to footnotes because they're cheaper and easier to include.
• Glossary.
• Bibliography.
• Index.

Presentation.

Don't fasten the script in any way, or bind it, it really annoys almost all publishers. Put the pages in a loose folder, editors are used to handling work this way and it's safe as long as you number each sheet and have your name on every page.

Disc Files.

Ask the editor to whom you are about to submit their format first, if unsure, use ASCII. If the publisher's computer is incompatible, it's generally their job to convert the files. Use sensible filenames, ch1 ch2 etc.

Illustrations.

You may need to produce roughs or briefing notes, give as much information to the illustrator as possible.

     Remember, the above advice greatly increases your chances of publication as long as you use it together with targeting your manuscript to the type of publisher that will take it. The best way (as well as using the addressed in this site) is to look in bookshops for work similar to yours and send to those publishers. Remember, when you read in a writers' directory that a publisher takes fiction, their list is usually a certain genre, or even style of genre, of fiction. Targeting your work properly can make all the difference.
             Good luck!