This was one of the things I spent some time researching while formatting my ms. Suffice to say, from what I've read, two of your options could be correct. So, my answer would be: check the agent's/publisher's guidelines. If they state a preference, do that. Otherwise, go with one of the two options.
I don't know, but would like to find out. I just picked what seemed reasonable to me: Footer, on left, after your title and name. Could we get the correct answer(s)? Thanks!
Well, mine are at the top right, in the header. My last name and book title are on the left, also in the header. My manuscript was single spaced and my query is crap. But I'm a nice person! Hahaha. I'm sure I got this wrong too, but I'm loving the updates and the learning experience. We are all going to be amazing after this! Unless we give up writing all together! Just kidding. What would the shark do for entertainment then? :-)
Alas, I'm old school, from back in the days when there was a standard for manuscript submissions, from a centered # for breaks to the use of underlines when you meant italics (old typewriters, you know). I've upgraded to actual italics, but still go with # and with title/name/page number in upper right, which isn't even an option listed. Ah, for the days of a single clear standard. I must be getting old. Sigh.
I know its the right header with name and title and page, but I had to remove my name for one thing and forgot to reinsert it. What a dumb thing to do.
Okay, so I got the page number in the right spot, but there's a lot of conflicting information out there about the name and title business. How do I know which is the best source if the agent doesn't give that information... on a blog, the agency website, twitter, etc.? And, how much should I fret about this? If my name's in the wrong spot according to that agent when they get my manuscript (and let's say everything else is accurate), is it just an annoyance or will it provoke the agent to toss the whole thing?
I think you should amuse Agent by leaving numbers off. Then shuffle the pages and Agent can play Literary Jigsaw Puzzle. It's more fun than Sudoku. Novel structure might improve too.
Here are the instructions you sent me for my first book:
"Insert 'Last Name/TITLE' as the header on page 2 and beyond.
"Insert page numbers lower right on page 2 and beyond."
I think the only thing I do differently now is I put it all in the footer, right instead of splitting it up. Either that or I completely overlooked what you said and continued to send you my books with the information in the wrong place. If you had a desk-shaped imprint on your forehead for years, that might be why.
Hang on... I can't see mine there. I have the page number closest to the outer edge of the page in bold italics, with Title and Author name on the inside. All in the header. It must be my newspaper upbringing.
30 comments:
At the risk of my head becoming shark fodder...
This was one of the things I spent some time researching while formatting my ms. Suffice to say, from what I've read, two of your options could be correct. So, my answer would be: check the agent's/publisher's guidelines. If they state a preference, do that. Otherwise, go with one of the two options.
Upper header on right, after name and title, Janet Reid, CHOMP, 1
I put mine in the upper left portion of the header under my name and ms title. Wrong?
Seeing as my choice isn't even up there, I'm thinkin' I put it in the wrong spot. *sinks under the table and crawls away*
Anywhere I want- after all, I'm an artist? No? Not the right answer?
oops. My bad. I might have put them at the bottom.
Wait... people put them at the top? :(
I don't know, but would like to find out. I just picked what seemed reasonable to me: Footer, on left, after your title and name.
Could we get the correct answer(s)?
Thanks!
I frequently see "standard manuscript format" mentioned alongside this link:
http://www.shunn.net/format/story.html
(Of course, that notes the format being for a short story, but same rules apply?)
If that's wrong, someone needs to chomp everyone who keeps referencing it.
Well, mine are at the top right, in the header. My last name and book title are on the left, also in the header. My manuscript was single spaced and my query is crap. But I'm a nice person! Hahaha. I'm sure I got this wrong too, but I'm loving the updates and the learning experience. We are all going to be amazing after this! Unless we give up writing all together! Just kidding. What would the shark do for entertainment then? :-)
So I'm thinking I don't put mine in the correct place. Hum. Looks like I'll be changing that little piece of my ms now.
I've always put mine in the footer, right, page x of y
Name goes where? Ouchie momma!
If an agent doesn't specify a specific format, I always follow these great rules over at AgentQuery
http://www.agentquery.com/format_tips.aspx
The whole website is useful for writers suffering through the query process. Makes it all a little less suffer-y.
I had to pick "other." Footer, center. That may not be right but it's what I do.
I suppose I'll learn what I should do.
Alas, I'm old school, from back in the days when there was a standard for manuscript submissions, from a centered # for breaks to the use of underlines when you meant italics (old typewriters, you know). I've upgraded to actual italics, but still go with # and with title/name/page number in upper right, which isn't even an option listed. Ah, for the days of a single clear standard. I must be getting old. Sigh.
I'm with C.A. Marshall
"Upper header on right, after name and title, Reid, CHOMP, 1"
I know its the right header with name and title and page, but I had to remove my name for one thing and forgot to reinsert it. What a dumb thing to do.
I've always read that it is supposed to be Lastname- 1- Short title
Okay, so I got the page number in the right spot, but there's a lot of conflicting information out there about the name and title business. How do I know which is the best source if the agent doesn't give that information... on a blog, the agency website, twitter, etc.? And, how much should I fret about this? If my name's in the wrong spot according to that agent when they get my manuscript (and let's say everything else is accurate), is it just an annoyance or will it provoke the agent to toss the whole thing?
thanks for the header up, right!
I think you should amuse Agent by leaving numbers off. Then shuffle the pages and Agent can play Literary Jigsaw Puzzle. It's more fun than Sudoku. Novel structure might improve too.
Somewhere below the Knight and Squire!
I always thought upper right - last name, title, page number. Maybe it's left or right. I wonder what Google would say.
Note to self,
Apply palm to forehead until senseless or sensibility returns.
Newbie reaction,"There's a specific place for name, title and page number?"
Okay, now I have to patch that forhead shaped dent in the drywall.
Find the rules, learn the rules and apply them. Or suffer the fate of blood in the water.
Is it too late to add a "Dearest Snookums" salutation to the query?
Here are the instructions you sent me for my first book:
"Insert 'Last Name/TITLE' as the header on page 2 and beyond.
"Insert page numbers lower right on page 2 and beyond."
I think the only thing I do differently now is I put it all in the footer, right instead of splitting it up. Either that or I completely overlooked what you said and continued to send you my books with the information in the wrong place. If you had a desk-shaped imprint on your forehead for years, that might be why.
My source:
What? Oh well, I am not sure I even had the chapters numbered correctly...page numbers were a complete crap shoot.
Top right is the correct way in my heart. You can see everything at a glance.
Hang on... I can't see mine there. I have the page number closest to the outer edge of the page in bold italics, with Title and Author name on the inside. All in the header. It must be my newspaper upbringing.
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