The old rule of thumb for estimating word count is obsolete
In days of yore, the accepted rule for estimating word count was 250 words per manuscript page. Is that still the case today? If not, how should it be done instead?
Reader QuestionsA collection of 53 posts
The first paragraph of your manuscript should look like any other
When it comes to indentation, keeps things as simple and uniform as possible. Don’t take your cues from the way published books look.
Indenting paragraphs without the tab key
Set up paragraph styles in your word processor to handle pesky tasks like indentation. Your editor and her staff will thank you for it.
When a sentence doesn't end with a period
A reader writes to ask: I know it’s still acceptable to space twice after periods. However, if there’s a close quote after a period is there actually only one space remaining after the quotation...
How to format a poetry collection
A reader writes to ask: I am currently trying to put together a manuscript of all of my late mother's poetry that she wrote from about 1970 to 2013, when she passed away. I...
Proper paper size for manuscript submissions
A reader writes to ask: I have just one question concerning the "1in from margin" factor: what page size is normally used? 8.5x11? 6x9 ? I see the '1in from margin' statement...