MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

In preparing manuscripts for submission, the first principle to bear in mind is that your manuscript is an object that strikes the reader's or editor's eyes before it is a "story" or "novel." That is to say, you should be concerned about the visual impression your manuscript makes. An analogy here with going to a job interview isn't too far-fetched: you need to worry about making a good first impression. The last thing you want an editor to think before he or she begins to read is that the manuscript was not written (prepared) by someone who takes writing and submitting manuscripts very seriously.

Some guidelines:

1.  Be sure to check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Take care in being consistent with verb tenses.

2. Use good quality white paper and print your manuscript with a letter-quality printer.

3  Start the text of your story about halfway down the first page under the title. Put your name and address in the upper lefthand corner.

4. Be sure that your pages are numbered. The standard position for numbers is the upper righthand corner, though having numbers below the text is an acceptable practice.

5. use margins of 1.25" on the right and left, and at least 1" on the top and bottom.

6. Use 1.5 spacing and a 12 pt. Font.