I am writing a novel at the moment and was wondering what the correct formats are for header, margins, type etc. Does anyone know these things?
Greetings,
André
Novel formats
Hi Andre,
While many people type and layout books in a word processor, the professionals tend to require that the author just type basically plain formatting, double spaced with page numbers starting from the title page. This type of formatting makes it much easier to proof and edit, much of that is still done by hand. A book requires several pair of eyes on it before it gets to the layout stage and setting it up very simply helps the reader/editor get through it quickly. The publishers I have worked for have all required this. They would groan when they received a manuscript pre-formatted.
If you are planning on self-publishing your book, then you should still write simply, then lay it out later. It will save you much aggravation. There may be others who know how to work a different way.
HTH, Maggie
While many people type and layout books in a word processor, the professionals tend to require that the author just type basically plain formatting, double spaced with page numbers starting from the title page. This type of formatting makes it much easier to proof and edit, much of that is still done by hand. A book requires several pair of eyes on it before it gets to the layout stage and setting it up very simply helps the reader/editor get through it quickly. The publishers I have worked for have all required this. They would groan when they received a manuscript pre-formatted.
If you are planning on self-publishing your book, then you should still write simply, then lay it out later. It will save you much aggravation. There may be others who know how to work a different way.
HTH, Maggie
Novel format
Hello Andre:
Here's my 2-cents worth.
1. Start with a title page. Put your author information (name, address, phone, email, etc.) on the bottom right of the page. On the top right list the approx. word count. Center the title in bold, all caps, mid-way down the page, with your name or pen name below it.
2. Begin each chapter on a new page. Place the chapter title, again all all caps and bold, about a third of the way down the page. Start the text for each chapter about 6 lines below the title.
3. On EVERY page, put your last name and the book title on the top left of the header. Place the page number on the same line, right justified. This is called the slug line, and should be on every page.
4. Double space all text.
5. Use 1" margins all around.
6. Don't use italics. Underline for italics.
7. Use a common, simple font (Times, Arial, Courier, etc.). I use 12 point for readability.
8. Don't bind or staple the manuscript. Don't use punched paper. Submit the manuscript loose, preferably in a sturdy box. This is why the "slug" line on each page is important (so the pages can be re-assembled if necessary).
These are all hints I picked up over the years from articles in Writer's Digest. I'm sure others use different formats, but at least it's a place to start.
Good luck with your novel!
Here's my 2-cents worth.
1. Start with a title page. Put your author information (name, address, phone, email, etc.) on the bottom right of the page. On the top right list the approx. word count. Center the title in bold, all caps, mid-way down the page, with your name or pen name below it.
2. Begin each chapter on a new page. Place the chapter title, again all all caps and bold, about a third of the way down the page. Start the text for each chapter about 6 lines below the title.
3. On EVERY page, put your last name and the book title on the top left of the header. Place the page number on the same line, right justified. This is called the slug line, and should be on every page.
4. Double space all text.
5. Use 1" margins all around.
6. Don't use italics. Underline for italics.
7. Use a common, simple font (Times, Arial, Courier, etc.). I use 12 point for readability.
8. Don't bind or staple the manuscript. Don't use punched paper. Submit the manuscript loose, preferably in a sturdy box. This is why the "slug" line on each page is important (so the pages can be re-assembled if necessary).
These are all hints I picked up over the years from articles in Writer's Digest. I'm sure others use different formats, but at least it's a place to start.
Good luck with your novel!
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André
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André
Hi Andre!André wrote: But what I don´t really understand is the double linespace. This means really that after every line of text, I need to put an empty line? Or do I understand this wrong?
Thanks!!
ANdré
No, not hard returns. On the toolbar, go to Format, then choose Paragraph. In the lower middle of the Paragraph Format window, there should be a window that says "line spacing". Click on the down arrow and just choose "double".
Happy writing
Maggie
Re: Double line spacing
Greetings--André wrote: But what I don´t really understand is the double linespace. This means really that after every line of text, I need to put an empty line? Or do I understand this wrong?
To use double line spacing, you have 4 solutions:
Place the insertion cursor inside your first paragraph, then
1) Use the "CTRL+2" hot key.
2) Use the corresponding formatting toolbar button (with 2 lines on it).
3) Use the method already suggested by Maggie in this thread.
4) If you intend to use double line spacing consistently, you might find it more practical to assign double line spacing to the Normal style of a special "Novel Writing" template.
Here is how to proceed:
a) Press CTRL+N to create a new document.
b) Click "Format | Style...".
c) In the "Document Style List" dialog, select the Normal style, then press the "Modify" button.
d) In the "Edit Style" dialog, press "Font...", then choose font face and font size to your convenience.
e) In this same "Edit Style" dialog, press "Paragraph...", then set alignment, line spacing, space before and after, etc, to suit your purpose.
f) Click "OK" as many times as is necessary to close all open dialogs (and save your settings).
g) Click "File | Save Special... | Save as Template...". Save your new template under any appropriate name.
Later on, when you want to start writing a new novel or a new page, click "File | New | Create from Template..." Choose your "Novel Writing" template in the list.
Enjoy!
Robert
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André