Formatting Manuscripts: Plus Other Words of Advice

An improperly formatted manuscript is probably the first reason for rejection by many acquiring editors at a publishing house, as well as literary agents. They see the physical look of your manuscript as soon as they take it out of the envelope, before they even read one word of your story. If they see common beginning writer mistakes, you manuscript will go into the rejection pile, unread. Proper formatting separates the professional writer from the amateur. Yes, there is an industry standard which acquiring editors and literary agents expect writers to know before they submit their manuscript for perusal.