Writing a manuscript is a big undertaking that many people never manage to complete. It’s a labor of love that can be years in the making, and the thought of yet another step to finish it may seem daunting. However, taking the time to format and print your manuscript before submitting it to a publisher is absolutely necessary. Many editors will toss an improperly formatted manuscript aside without reading it, effectively rejecting an author without seeing his or her material. Making your manuscript accessible with the correct formatting is important if you wish for it to be noticed and considered for publication.

1. Make it Easy on the Eyes

Use a font that is easy to read. Fancy, bold, or overly compact fonts are all hard on the eyes, and an editor won’t want to spend hours peering at page after page of indecipherable text. Aim for a serif font such as Times New Roman or Courier sized at 12 point. Avoid mixing fonts within your manuscript, as this will make it appear sloppy or incongruous. Text alignment is an important consideration as well. Text should be left-aligned with half-inch indentations to denote the beginnings of paragraphs. Do not use spaces to separate paragraphs from each other.

2. Use Proper Margins and Spacing

A good rule of thumb for clean manuscript margins is one inch all around. Some editors may request one-and-a-quarter inch margins or one-and-one-half inch margins to give them more space to make notes. Whatever the case, make sure to set the margins to the required size using the page setup function of your word processing program. If you type manuscripts frequently, you may want to consider using such settings as the default.

For spacing between lines and paragraphs, use the paragraph formatting tool on your word processor rather than putting the spaces in yourself. Hitting the “Enter” key between lines is called a “hard return” and should only be done when starting a new paragraph. Use the paragraph formatting tool to double-space your manuscript for easier reading. Don’t try to adjust the default size of this spacing to make your manuscript look longer.

3. Include an Identifying Header

A header including pertinent information should appear beginning on the second page of your manuscript. Information in the header should include your last name, the page number, and the title of your manuscript. If the title is too long, use a key word or phrase. This header helps identify the manuscript and aids editors in keeping your story organized. When formatting a header, keep it low-key so that it doesn’t detract from the main text. Also make sure that the page numbers are continuous and don’t reset to page one at the beginning of each chapter.

4. Don’t Forget a Cover Page

The cover page is the first thing an editor will see upon receiving your manuscript. Create a good first impression by centering the title of your manuscript and your name halfway down the page. Also be sure to include your complete contact information: your full name (especially if you write under a pseudonym), mailing address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address. This is essential information to put on a cover page even if you’ve already included it in a query or cover letter. If your manuscript becomes separated from this letter, the editor will still be able to contact you with ease. Word count may also be included after your contact information to give the editor an idea of the length of your finished work.

5. Always Double-check Editor Preferences

Although following basic rules of thumb can help you get your manuscript ready to send, it’s always important to double-check editor preferences before sending anything to a publisher. Some editors may want larger or smaller margins, extra header information or no header at all, or different spacing between lines and paragraphs. Some may even express preferences as to the type of font a submitted manuscript should be in. Take the time to double-check these preferences before shipping off the manuscript you’ve worked so hard on.

Submitting a manuscript that follows all the proper formatting guidelines increases your chances of getting noticed by editors. A clean manuscript makes it easier for editors to read, review, and comment on your writing, and can bring you one step closer to being a published author.

This guest article was contributed by James Adams, a writer and analyst who writes in-depth reviews of new Epson supplies for CartridgeSave.co.uk, a specialist online store for printer hardware.