1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

You may have always wanted to write a story, or already have a 10 page masterpiece, either way you will need to know what editors expect from writers in order to get published. Here you will find some tips and tricks for getting you closer to an acceptance letter.
Formating.
There are certain guidelines to submitting your work for print or e-print. Each publication will have their own guidelines, which are based on standard short story guidelines. Stick to the guidelines and you will make it to the desk of an editor every time.

These are the industry standard formating rules. Don't forget to search for each publishers guidelines, they usually will have them somewhere on their website. If they don't have guidelines you can follow the rules laid out below.
Margins - 1 inch all the way around. Always place your margins 1 inch from the page end.
Page numbering - Although it is long, include the page number, your last name, and the story name on each page in the upper right hand corner of every page but the first. In this format Name / Story / Page. This is a great help in case pages get mixed around for some reason.
Font - Always use easy to read fonts that are true type - you never can go wrong with Courier or Times Roman. Always use 12 Point Fonts.
Spacing - Always Double Space unless told to space smaller. Double spacing makes for easier reading, and editors love anything that makes the job of reading go smoother and faster.
Widows and Orphans - Widows and Orphans is a publishing term for words that are broken in half at a line break - turn this feature off in your word processing software. Just let the words wrap rather then forcing the words onto a new line. Editors do not mind this as most people think. Let words flow on to the page even if there is only one to two words and then a chapter break. This is also something editors don't mind.
Contact Information - on the first page in the upper left hand corner, at the margin, write your full name, address, phone numbers and email. Also add the approximate word count of your story or book. I have used this method even when submitting to online markets (publications).
Title - Title of your story should be ten carriage returns from the last line of your contact information, or just about center of the page. Here, less is more, placing the title a little higher is fine, but lower makes for a more then half empty page. Left Justify the title of your piece, with your byline just below. Title and byline should be double spaced.
Cover letter - Cover letters should reflect the story size, and type, not an explanation of the story. The story should be self evident when the editor reads it. Add any other times you were published, and in what market (publication). Use standard reference formating, which looks much better then plain type.
If you use these style and formatting guidelines I can guarantee editors will look twice before throwing your work onto the slush pile. And no one wants to be relegated to the slush pile before you work is read.

Learn more about this author, Stephen Vicinanza.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Submitting stories for publication?
We want to hear your view. Write now!