In my post requesting help about double spacing between sentences, this is the conclusion from comments and email support I received.
Double spacing appears to be the norm, however it is wise to check the agent you are submitting to and ajust accordingly.
Two of the agents I am considering do not state what they require. I was going to contact them to find out, however I have decided against it. If they have specific requirements, then they would state them. I do not want to put them off by seeing my name asking continuous, 'how do I' and 'what do you want from me' questions.
So I will submit:
Double spaced.
1.5 inch margins.
12 Times New Roman or Courier New font.
Page numbers
Named and title header on the right
Indented paragraphs
Have I missed anything?
I came across a few sites with information on them, you might find useful.
Sam Dot Publishing layout their requirements plus advice in their novel guidelines:
Also, we strongly recommend that you read and follow the counsel of The Elements Of Style, by Strunk & White . . .
They have a good outline of what they do when they receive a submission and how long it will take for each stage.
AgentQuery and Marlys Pearson have clear outlines on their websites.
PanMacmillan Publishers share their information here .
Gamlingay Writers in the UK share their advice on their site, of how to submit to an agent.
Holly Lisle submission advice.
Donald Maass Literary Agent guidelines on submission.
The all appear to say pretty much the same thing: DOUBLE SPACED SENTENCES. I will check agent guidelines before submitting though.
Thanks to all who helped me through my little panic.
22 Comments:
You've got it right, Glynis. Submitting the way you have described is the norm. If an agents anything different than that, then they will say so, otherwise it's just expected that you know. :o) So you've finished your novel, then? Congrats!
Thanks for sharing the links. Always helpful to find out what is expected.
Best of luck with your submission.
Hi Jessica, Yes it is finished but not polished yet. 50,000 words are OK in my eyes, 30,000 need a kick in the * and so do I. This is why I have started to prepare for submission.
Thanks for the positive support, I do appreciate it.
CassandraJade, thank you and you are most welcome.
A lot of agents (and writing contests) also say 25 lines per page. I'm not sure if that is only for specific genres though (romance).
Oh, yes I had forgotten that one, thanks Natalie. I will adjust my ms accordingly.
Thanks for dropping by today, your support is appreciated.
Best of luck with your submission. Sounds like you've got things well in hand and will present a book they can't resist.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Mason, I wish I was as positive as you! Thanks for visiting today.
Sounds correct to me!
Yes, that sounds standard. I can't imagine anyone wanting it single spaced? That's weird.
Thanks Alex, I was hoping so.
Karen, I know, it completely threw me though. So I thought I must get it clarified. My blogging buddies are the best!
Thanks both of you, it was great to see you today.
Sounds just right to me, too, Glynis. Best of luck with your polishing.
Karen
Glynis, unless the person or publisher you're submitting to says otherwise, I'd go with 1-inch margins all around. I'd also put a header on the manuscript. Your name/book title on the left and page number on the right.
Good hunting!
Straight From Hel
Thanks Karen, it needs a good shine, I can tell you. LOL
Thanks for taking time out for me today.
Helen, I have a header, with name/title/number, but have it on the right all together. I will adjust as you say, thanks.
I wish now I was targeting the US market, the UK are mainly snail mail, not email submissions. The postage is going to cost me so much, I might fly to UK and hand deliver! LOL
Thanks for you help and for visiting today.
Yes, I didn't know most of this b/c in the US, it's all email and MS Word formats everything for you.
Happy Polishing, and fingers crossed on this one!
Thanks Anne, I need luck at the moment!
I'm going to save this blog for future reference. The page and title numbers are a must. Agents get really upset about this one.
Stephen Tremp
Stephen, I am glad you found the post useful. I am sure dropping a ms with no page numbers must be cause for rejection. I am definately adding them to mine.
Thanks for visiting today.
Good luck with the submissions! I hope you get lots of positive responses.
They'll catch up, Glynis. The U.S. used to be snail submissions, too. That's changed only in the last few years.
I'd been thinking you were submitting to US agents. Things may be different elsewhere.
Oh, the joys of formatting! And so many times different markets have different little formatting quirks.
The thing that's tripping me up right now is that I've read a number of markets that want only a single space after a period. I guess that's the norm now in the age of the internet but coming from an old-school typing background, I can't get out of the two spaces after a period mentality.
Helen, I would like to submit to US, but not sure if writing in UK English would automatically get me on the slush pile.
Lisa, it took me ages to kick the habit. I am old school touch typist. I kept telling myself, one small step, just one small step and it worked.
Thanks for visiting me today.
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