Manuscript formatting

Here's a good example of [URL=http://www.shunn.net/writing/coach/format.html]proper manuscript formatting[/URL] that may save you some time ink. Asgenar originally posted this link in the WW forum and it's a great resource. Besides no mention of some of your upper right margin information--such as what rights are being offered--this advice is consonant with everything you've mentioned so far. (Some may feel that the rights offered is a proper topic for the cover letter, rather than the manuscript itself.)

But on other matters, such as double-spacing, wide margins and using a monospaced font type, like Courier, there is broad agreement.

I would like for you to ask that agent which of the traditional standards for a manuscript are tried-and-true and which are simply relics of a previous age.

A "manuscript"--strictly speaking--is a hand-written document. Just like a "manual" is a handbook and "manual labor" is work that you do with your hands.

What we talk about when we talk about a proper "manuscript" is, of course, a proper [u]typescript[/u]. The broadly accepted standards belong to the age of the typewriter, the industrial revolution, the 19th and 20th centuries.

For example, one commonly accepted standard is that there is only one way to properly add emphasis to a single word, [u]underline[/u] it. An underlined word in your typescript is a signal to the typesetter that the word should be [i]italicized[/i] in the final document. It is advised in that article by William Shun in the link above, that one stick to this. Just because we are in the computer age, you shouldn't go ahead and do your own italicizing. An underline shows up much more clearly, and your effort is to make your document look like a perfect [u]typescript[/u], not like a computer-generated document.

I would like for your agent friend to shed some insight on how much the Laws of the Typewriter still hold true. Is it [i]ever[/i] acceptable to do your own italics, or to use ALL CAPS or [B]Bold[/B] for emphasis? Or is that a sure way to drive an editor crazy? I'm thinking it's the later, but I'd like to be sure.

I'm also wondering about print vs. electronic submissions. I know I submitted electronically to [i]Glimmertrain[/i] once, and I was dismayed when I viewed my submission online and saw my right margin headers--name, shortened version of title, page number--showing up at inappropriate places, breaks occuring arbitrarily in one continuous electronic document. I feel sure that if I had mailed a copy of the work for submission, the proper formating could have only worked in my favor, but in the electronic document it provided an unfortunate distraction. Maybe we can only make some of these distinctions piecemeal as we go along.

I think you may have missed Inkwell's point a bit, VP?

He does claim that it's a "generic format" in order to save time making a lot of changes later on.

Similar to submitting a report to a college professor, most of them want double-spaced, size 12 font, and nothing fancy like Comic Sans. I'm sure each one has their own special requests, but all in all, there is a basic framework that they will accept.

I'm sure more specific information can be requested if you are curious about certain styles, etc. It looks like Inkwell has contacted an editor and obtained some general information.

And don't you think defining 'Manuscript' and 'Typescript' is just splitting straws? I think we were able to understand what was being discussed...

Anyway. I'm looking forward to more info on this Manuscript/Typescript lesson...

Thank you again. Thank you so much. Really. You've done too much already and I really can't accept any more help with this right now. But thanks.

The Shunn format is a really, really good one, but it doesn't look quite the same as the one McKimm's agent gave us when I took his workshop. There's not even a copyright on it. No rights specified. That's only two lines different on the right margin at the top of the first page, but your copyright and the rights you're selling? Those are important to people in the business.

McKimm's agent wanted the title in 22-point bold, but not all-caps 12-point like the Shunn format. That agent wanted the byline in 16-point bold, but Shunn has 12-point type again.

Some houses require more white space than others between the header and the title, which is where they put their notes on the typesetting.

My point is still that it pays to check out an agent/publisher's exact format specs before you submit to them no matter what anybody else tells you. But you won't have to take my word for it.

Do it your way. I'll do it mine, the agent's way. Good luck.

For what it's worth, here's CP's view on copyright.
[QUOTE=Chuck Palahniuk]
Then only thing I’ve ever done is put that “copyright” (circled C) symbol with the date on my title page. Some people will insist you put that on every page. Other people will insist you mail yourself a copy of the work, dated and sealed, to open in court if need be. But, please… I’ve never worried that much beyond making the story as effective as possible. Nobody would dare steal Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.” Your voice, your plot, that’s your best protection – and the little circled-C.
[/QUOTE]

short story = yes.

Generally when something hasn't previously been published, you're offering first rights. When and if you're dealing with restricted rights (first North American, etc.) the people with the bankroll will be sure to let you know what they want. So, with previously unpublished work, you're offering first rights until or unless you hear otherwise.

In some cases with first rights, you'll retain copyright as part of your compensation. In those cases, the objections to putting a copyright on your MS are groundless.

MS Word has something under the Insert tab called Special Characters. Copyright symbol should be there...

Or ALT+0169 = ©

Thanks for the help guys!
©Sweetness

Oh, I should just mention that the slight problem I had with my Headers showing up in an electronic submission, that was only because I hadn't learned to set them up like I just explained. I set them up manually and that's why they showed up in the document. If done as outlined above that should never be a problem.

I should also just mention that everything Spike and I have had to say on this thread has been topical, relevant, and helpful. And not in conflict with what any of us know about the purpose of this thread on any level.

My last couple of posts prior to this one are in response to questions posed directly to me or in direct reference to material that I earlier made available. Bunglejunkie is working on a great manuscript and I'm helping him with it. Whatever slight adjustments it may need shall be easy from here.

Now I will retire myself from this thread.