Manuscript Format: Templates, Tips, and Examples

Submitting a manuscript can be nerve-wracking, but making sure it’s properly formatted gives you a serious advantage. Whether you’re sending out a novel, a short story, or even a personal essay, using the right manuscript format helps your work look polished and professional—and shows editors that you’re serious about your craft. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about manuscript formatting: from the basics of industry-standard formats like the Shunn template to essential tips for ensuring your manuscript meets professional standards. With these tools and tips in hand, you’ll be ready to submit your work with confidence!

What Is a Manuscript Format?

Think of manuscript format as the dress code for your writing. Just like you wouldn’t show up to a job interview in pajamas (hopefully), you wouldn’t submit a novel or short story to a publisher without following certain format guidelines. Manuscript format is a set of industry standards designed to make your work easy to read, review, and handle. By sticking to these conventions, you’re making your manuscript more professional and more appealing to editors and agents—giving it a real shot at standing out.

Why Follow a Specific Format?

You might be wondering why any of this matters if the writing itself is what’s important. The truth? Presentation plays a major role in a manuscript’s initial reception. Imagine an editor seeing a manuscript written in a bold, curly font with single spacing and no clear paragraph breaks—it’s going to feel like work just to read the first sentence. With standard formatting, your story speaks for itself, without visual distractions.

The purpose of manuscript formatting boils down to three main things:

1. Readability: Proper spacing, clear headers, and consistent margins make it easier to read and less taxing on the eyes.
2. Professionalism: Adhering to a standard format shows you’ve done your homework and are serious about your work.
3. Uniformity Across Submissions: With standard formatting, editors can easily assess a manuscript without being distracted by or struggling with unique layouts.

Components of a Standard Manuscript Format

Here’s a quick rundown of some universal manuscript elements to keep in mind:

• Title Page: Often includes the title, author’s name, word count, and contact information.
• Headers and Page Number: These go on every page after the title page to help editors keep track of where they are.
• Font and Spacing: Standard fonts like Times New Roman, size 12, and double-spacing throughout the document.
• Margins: Typically, 1-inch margins on all sides for a clean, readable look.

By understanding and following these conventions, you’re giving your manuscript the best possible chance to shine. After all, when your format doesn’t stand in the way, your story is free to grab the spotlight!

Manuscript Format Template

Let’s be real: formatting a manuscript from scratch can feel like a mini battle. This is where templates come to the rescue. They provide a pre-built structure that makes sure your manuscript ticks all the right boxes for readability and professionalism. Templates act like a built-in guide, keeping your margins, spacing, font, and headers all in line with industry expectations without the hassle of remembering every rule. For most of us, that’s a major relief.

Using a template also means you’re less likely to run into unexpected rejections or requests for resubmission based on formatting errors. How horrible would it be to spend hours perfecting a submission, only to have it turned away because you missed a guideline? With a proper template, you can focus on the writing itself rather than the technicalities of layout, and you’re giving your work a leg up in the competitive publishing world.

Manuscript Format Example

When it comes to manuscript formats, the most popular choice is the Shunn format. Named after author and editor William Shunn, this format is designed to be clean, simple, and easy on the eyes—essential for busy editors who need to quickly assess a manuscript’s readability and quality. 

The Shunn format has become a widely accepted standard, especially for short stories and novels submitted to publishers and literary magazines.You can even find a downloadable Shunn template on their website, so there’s no need to start from scratch!

The Shunn template is a perfect choice for writers submitting short stories, novels, or essays to editors and publishers.Most publishers and editors are very familiar with this format, which helps your work slide seamlessly into their reading queue. Other formats may exist, but if you’re new to manuscript submissions, the Shunn format is a safe and professional starting point.

The Shunn format covers all the basics that editors look for in a professional submission:

• Font and Spacing: It requires a standard, readable font like Times New Roman or Courier, set to 12-point size, with double-spacing throughout. This ensures readability and allows editors to make notes in the margins if needed.
• Margins: The Shunn template uses 1-inch margins on all sides, which provides a clear, spacious layout that doesn’t crowd the page.
• Header and Page Numbers: Each page includes a header with the author’s last name, the title (or a shortened version), and the page number, which is especially helpful if pages are shuffled or printed.
• Title Page: The title page contains essential details—like the story’s title, the author’s contact information, and word count—formatted in a way that’s familiar and accessible to editors.

You can find a free, downloadable Shunn template on the official Shunn website, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Using this template helps ensure that your manuscript meets professional standards and gets the attention it deserves.

Short Story Manuscript Format

Short story manuscript formatting follows many of the same conventions as novel formatting, but there are a few differences to keep in mind. These subtle tweaks help editors easily identify shorter works and streamline the review process. By using a short story manuscript format, you’re showing respect for the editor’s time and making it easier for them to focus on your story.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to set up a short story manuscript:

• Top Left Corner: Author’s full name, email, phone number, and word count.
• Center of Page: Story title, centered and bolded (if preferred).
• Below Title: Byline (e.g., “by [Your Name]”), centered below the title.
• Headers: On each page after the first, include a header with your last name, a shortened title, and the page number in the upper right corner.

While both short stories and novels follow a similar structure, here’s how they differ in key ways:

Title and Contact Information

In a short story manuscript, author details and contact information are often placed right at the top of the first page, above the story title. This makes it quick and easy for editors to find your information without needing a separate title page.

Word count is usually noted here as well, typically aligned with the author’s name and contact info in the upper left corner. This helps editors gauge the story length immediately, which is especially useful for publications with strict word count guidelines.

No Separate Title Page

For short stories, you can skip the separate title page that’s typically used in novel formatting. Instead, place the title at the top of the first page of text, centered and formatted in the same font as the body of the story. Beneath it, add a line with your name or byline.

This saves space and keeps all essential information visible on the first page—a common preference for short story editors.

Page Count and Length

Short stories are, well, short! Because of this, a more condensed format helps keep the story within an ideal page count. This includes maintaining double-spacing, a clear font like Times New Roman or Courier, and 1-inch margins, just like in novel manuscripts.

For very short pieces, it’s possible your story may only take up one or two pages. Don’t worry about filling extra pages or adding padding—editors are used to seeing short fiction in compact formats.

Headers and Page Numbers

As with novels, include headers on each page with your last name, a shortened story title, and the page number. In shorter works, this may seem repetitive, but it ensures that if the manuscript is printed and the pages get mixed up, everything can be quickly put back in order.

Tips for Formatting Your Manuscript

Formatting your manuscript properly isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about making your work easy to read, navigate, and appreciate. A clean, professional presentation signals that you’re serious about your craft and that you respect the editor’s time. Here are some tried-and-true tips to ensure your manuscript is polished and ready for submission.

Choose the Right Software

The software you use can simplify or complicate formatting, so choose wisely! Programs like Scrivener, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs offer helpful tools for manuscript preparation:

• Scrivener: Known for its organizational features, Scrivener also lets you compile and export in industry-standard formats. You can set up styles for headings, headers, and body text, which it will automatically apply upon export.
• Microsoft Word: Word is widely used in publishing and has powerful formatting options. You can easily set up double-spacing, adjust margins, and create headers. Use the “Styles” feature to ensure consistency across paragraphs, headings, and titles.
• Google Docs: Although not as robust, Google Docs lets you create a basic manuscript format that you can adjust to match industry standards. Just be aware that Google Docs may alter formatting slightly when downloaded as a Word file, so double-check the document before submitting.

Stick to Standard Fonts and Spacing

For easy readability, stick with classic fonts like Times New Roman or Courier New, both in 12-point size. Avoid the temptation to switch things up with trendy fonts—most editors prefer a traditional look, and unconventional fonts can be distracting.

• Double-Spacing: Set your document to double-space throughout to make it easier for editors to read and mark up. This can be done in the paragraph or line spacing settings in most software.
• Indentation: Use the ruler tool or paragraph settings to set a 0.5-inch indent for each new paragraph, rather than using the Tab key. This keeps your formatting consistent and professional.

Mind Your Margins

Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page to create a balanced, spacious layout. If you’re tempted to adjust the margins to fit a specific page count, resist! Editors expect 1-inch margins, and shrinking them can make your text harder to read.

Use Headers and Page Numbers

Including headers and page numbers is essential for any manuscript, especially if it’s printed out. Use the following format for each page after the title page:

• Header: Place your last name, a shortened title of your work, and the page number in the upper right corner. For example, “Smith / Lost in Time / 5”.
• This not only helps editors keep track of the manuscript but also prevents any mix-ups if pages get separated.

Proofread for Formatting Consistency

After spending hours perfecting your story, it’s easy to overlook small formatting issues. Take a moment to check for any inconsistencies, such as:

• Random Font Changes: Sometimes a stray font change slips in, especially when copying and pasting from different sources.
• Spacing Issues: Double-check that all sections are double-spaced and properly indented.
• Scene Breaks: Standard manuscript formatting uses a centered “#” or three asterisks (***). This helps editors recognize scene breaks without confusion.

Follow Publisher or Agent Guidelines

Every publisher or agent may have their own specific submission guidelines, so always check these before submitting. Some may ask for slight variations in format (e.g., a different font, single spacing, or a specific file type like PDF). Following these requirements shows you’re attentive to detail and committed to a successful submission.

Leverage Templates and Resources

If formatting feels daunting, take advantage of pre-made templates, like those offered on the Shunn website. These templates are set up to meet standard formatting requirements, so you can focus on writing instead of fiddling with settings. For an extra check, you can also compare your manuscript with examples online to ensure it aligns with industry expectations.