Format your manuscript

I have always dreamed of being one of those sleek, organised people. You know the ones: they actually read the school newsletter. They never miss a detail at work. Never spill on their white shirts, and they always, always have a tissue. Not because they need the tissue, but they always have one because of people like me who always spill on their white shirts. The closest I can get to sleek and organised is to use manuscript layout. It whips my messy draft into something that actually resembles a novel.

Do you use manuscript layout?

If you have reached the point in your writing journey where you’d like to start submitting your work, you may have come across the term manuscript layout or manuscript formatting. If you have wondered what they mean by that: it’s the way you set up your document to look like a book. I like to think of it as another tool in your writer’s toolbox. It has unrealised benefits. Whether you are starting out or getting ready to submit, this is a skill you need to master.