Submission Manuscript Questions - Writers Forum

mnhthiessen · 10-08-2006, 03:16 PM

I have a manuscript for a non-fiction, humor book that I'm getting ready to submit, and I have two questions. (I do realize that these answers might be subject to change according to specific submission guidelines.)

1) So far I've been told two things about the page margins. One is that the page margins MUST be 1.5" all the way around, and another is that the margins should be 1" all the way around (or at least 1", but this person felt 1.5" was beyond excessive). Which is most standard?

2) Another thing I've been told is that I must at all costs TURN OFF widow and orphan control in Word, and let the widows and orphans fly where they may. Then, recently I was told that I must TURN ON the widow and orphan control and eliminate them at all costs. Which is it???

Omnisu · 10-08-2006, 04:27 PM

Your best bet is to contact the editor/publisher/agent you are submitting it to, and ask them for specifics.

mnhthiessen · 10-08-2006, 04:30 PM

I understand that, and I will do that, but I still would like to know what is more universally accepted.

cbrmale · 10-08-2006, 05:22 PM

The manuscripts I have submitted have needed 2.5cm margins all the way around. That, plus double spaced, equals something very bulky and paper-wasteful. I bought my own laser printer, they are quite cheap these days.

mammamaia · 10-09-2006, 11:37 AM

1) So far I've been told two things about the page margins. One is that the page margins MUST be 1.5" all the way around, and another is that the margins should be 1" all the way around (or at least 1", but this person felt 1.5" was beyond excessive). Which is most standard?

...i, too, feel 1.5 is excessive and wastes paper... either 1 or 1.25 will be acceptable to most agents and editors... imo, the middle ground 1.25 is the safest bet...

2) Another thing I've been told is that I must at all costs TURN OFF widow and orphan control in Word, and let the widows and orphans fly where they may. Then, recently I was told that I must TURN ON the widow and orphan control and eliminate them at all costs. Which is it???

...turn it off and just type normally, with ragged right margin... do not hyphenate long words to make them fit the line... if a word is normally hyphenated, the first part may finish off the end of one line, with the rest of it following on the next... that's perfectly ok...

hope this helps... you can email me for a really good complete set of ms format guides...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com