Manuscript Checklist

The way your manuscript is formatted and submitted is your professional calling card.
Use the checklist below to make sure that you properly format your submission. 

My manuscript is...

___  On white paper

___  Typed using Times New Roman font in 12-point type

___  Has double-spaced text

___  Has 1” margins all around

___  Includes all of the following information in the UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER:

Name
Street
City, State, Zip
Telephone
Email
Website (if you have one)

___ Includes the following information in the UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER:
Genre & Approximate Word Count

___ Has the title of my story typed about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way down the first page

___ Has my name typed underneath the title

___ Includes a header or footer on each successive page with the following information:
My last name, the title of my manuscript, the page number (one line across)

___ Has a PAPER CLIP securing all of the pages together (NOT a staple or a report cover)

___ Includes only the number of pages specified by the editor or contest chairperson

___ Does not describe illustrations in picture books, EXCEPT if an illustration is crucial to
understanding a plot point.

My envelope...

___ Is easy to open (Translation: Doesn’t have every gap plastered in tape)

___ Has the proper postage

___ Does NOT require a signature from the recipient (If you need assurance of delivery,
purchase Delivery Confirmation from your local Post Office.)

Click here to view a sample of the first two pages of a properly formatted manuscript.