Let's Power Up Your Storytelling!

How to Format Your Manuscript for Publication

(Originally published August 22, 2022)


Hey, storyteller!


Have you ever wondered which font is the best to use for your story or how to indicate scene breaks? Are there rules about this sort of thing? Yes! The publishing industry has developed a long-standing group of requirements called Standard Manuscript Format. Whether you plan to self-publish or seek traditional publication, formatting your manuscript according to these guidelines is a vital step in your story's creation.


In this week's writer coaching session, we'll discuss why using standard manuscript format is so important and what its requirements include. Plus, I'll show you how to set all this up in Microsoft Word, the publishing industry's preferred word processing application, and demonstrate how to avoid or correct common formatting mistakes.


Watch the video to discover:

  • why using standard manuscript format is vital to your story's publishing process
  • the components of standard manuscript format
  • manuscript formatting mistakes to avoid
  • how to format your manuscript using Microsoft Word


I Have a Gift for You!

Click this link to watch my free workshop, The 6 Essential Elements of a Powerful Story.

Video Timestamps

  • 0:01 Introduction
  • 1:24 A Gift for You
  • 2:11 Why Standard Manuscript Format Matters for Your Story
  • 3:56 What Does Standard Manuscript Format Include?
  • 4:57 Formatting for Submission to Publishers
  • 5:46 Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
  • 7:49 How to Format Your Manuscript in Microsoft Word
  • 28:02 This Week’s Power-Up
  • 28:25 Bonus Tip

Make Your Story Powerful!

Watch my FREE 25-minute video workshop to learn the 6 elements every story needs so readers will experience the characters' journey with maximum emotional impact.

You'll also receive weekly writing tips and training via email. We'll never send spam. Unsubscribe at any time


© 2023 B Squared Writer Coaching