Writing.Com General Discussion

While some publishers have strange requirements, there is a very standard format used - Shunn Formatting. It's simple, but also detailed:
* contact details top left of first page
* word count top right of first page
* title and author in centre of first page
* story starts beneath the title 5 "enters"
* header top left with author's name except first page
* header has title, page number
* manuscript in times new roman, 12 pt, double spaced
* new chapter new page
* italics in italics, bold in bold and underlined underlined
* no tab indents but paragraphing indents.
Confused? Well, here's the website: https://www.shunn.net/format/

I have had a few publishers ask for a blind reading, so no personal information is there, some don't like the header idea, a couple prefer courier as the font, but that means always look on the submission guidelines page before submitting. Also, they prefer .doc or .docx formats, though some will distinctly ask for .rtf and I have even had one ask for .pdf

I will also state here that in the past 15 years (and I have had 7 books accepted for publication by small to medium publishers) only one publisher has wanted a novel in hard format (and that an Australian publisher for... reasons); the vast majority, for sake of mailing, refuse, recycling issues and because sometimes they go back to a previously rejected piece, want electronic submissions, either by email, or an online submissions manager (I've used 3 different ones).

Like I said, check their submissions page, but Shunn is generally the way to go.

Good luck going forward!