This first page is the only page without the header [see Page 2, Page 3, and Page 4] which will appear at the top of every subsequent page of your manuscript.

      Regarding the information you include for Page 1: In my case, where it says "Type of Book" in the upper right corner of this first page, I put Historical Romance. I also add a line beneath it stating the book's setting and/or time period; it's optional -- I like to include it because I want my editor to have all essential information about the manuscript as soon as possible.

      Take a good look at the header up top since it will appear on every page of your manuscript except the very first. If the title of your book is long, abbreviate it in the upper left corner of your regular page header. Putting in the Chapter # -- [(Ch.#) above] -- is something I started doing for myself, however, I've had several editors say they also found it helpful. It's optional.

      The page number traditionally goes in the upper right corner. If you use a pseudonym, you can put it there (I use CAPS) then put your real name in parentheses beside it. Why? Well, imagine your editor lugging around five unbound manuscripts, bumping into someone, and dropping them. Without the appropriate header information on every page, putting those five manuscripts back together would be a nightmare.

      All pages of the manuscript also have good-sized left and right margins. There's a reason for this. Margins are the perfect place for editors to jot down notes and corrections. Right and left margins should not be less than one inch wide.

      I still use Courier 10 pitch font, which is pretty much standard. You don't need fancy fonts, and you definitely don't need any colored fonts. Your font should always be a nice, dark black. As for size -- be careful. Fonts that are too large or too small will throw off your word count (250 words for one full page of text is the standard, not your word processor's word counter). Make sure the text is crisp and easy to read -- change your printer ribbon or cartridge if necessary. Editors and agents do a lot of reading, eye-strain is a very real job hazard. If you make them squint over type that's too small, or print that's faded and barely legible, you risk predisposing them to not liking you or your manuscript. Why start off on the wrong foot if it can be avoided?

      For italics, the traditional way to emphasize words in your manuscript is by underlining the word or phrase to be italicized, like this. I have seen manuscripts recently that simply put italics in italics, like this, however it makes it more difficult for editors and typesetters to distinguish (you don't want them to miss any). Underlining words to be italicized is the standard format.

      When setting up a transition (extra spaces designating a new scene within the same chapter), drop down two double lines. Like this:

      The next scene in your chapter will start here.

      Some authors prefer to designate a change in scene even more strongly by putting a # centered in the middle of the extra lines above. This is especially handy when your next scene will start on your next manuscript page.