Manuscript Formatting Guide for Writers

by | Jul 23, 2025 | Editing Services, Publishing Tips, Writing Tips and Tools

A writer preparing a manuscript for submission, checking formatting guidelines on a laptop

So, your manuscript is ready to meet the world, or at least, a publisher’s inbox. That’s exciting! But before you hit send, there’s one important thing to double-check: your manuscript formatting.

Why? Because a poorly formatted manuscript can distract from your storytelling, frustrate editors, or even cause your submission to be rejected before it is read.

Here’s a clean, simple guide to formatting your manuscript the professional way.

The Basics: Publisher manuscript guidelines

Unless a publisher specifies otherwise in their submission guidelines, here’s a standard manuscript format that’s widely accepted across the industry.

Page Settings:

  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
  • Spacing: Double-spaced
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides
  • Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5″
  • Alignment: Left-aligned (not justified)
  • Page Numbers: Top-right corner, starting on page 2

Title Page:

  • Book Title (centered, halfway down the page)
  • Your Name (centered, below the title)
  • Contact info in the top-left corner: mathematicaCopyEditYour Name Address Phone Email Word Count

Headers (for multi-page submissions):

  • Include your last name, book title (or a short version), and page number in the top right: nginxCopyEditBennett / Rootbound / Page 3

File Types to Use for Manuscript Submission Formatting

Most publishers ask for:

  • .doc or .docx (Microsoft Word) – Preferred by most editors and agencies
  • .rtf (Rich Text Format) – Occasionally accepted
  • .pdf (Portable Document Format) – Only use if specifically requested

Avoid: Google Docs links, Pages files (.pages), or anything requiring permission settings.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Formatting Your Manuscript

  • Using fancy fonts or colors
  • Double-spacing after periods (one space is standard now)
  • Skipping a title page
  • Using tabs instead of proper paragraph indents
  • Uploading the wrong file format or leaving off your name

Clean formatting = less friction between you and the person reading your work.

Pro Tip: Save a Template

Once you’ve formatted your manuscript, save a clean copy as a template for future use. It’ll save time and keep your workflow consistent.

Related Reading: Common Mistakes in Manuscript

Final Thoughts

Your manuscript formatting doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be professional.

At Winterwolf Press, we care about the heart of your story, but clear, readable formatting helps us get to it faster. It shows you’re serious about your work, respectful of your time, and ready for the next step.

Want to double-check your submission readiness? Here are some related reading pages that you can check out.