Freelance manuscript format

I'm just back for a breather between seminars/workshops, most about some facet of freelance article or book writing--and the same question continues to raise its hand daily as it has been for almost 30 years: "What must the manuscript look like?"

I'm naturally inclined to suggest a long list of imaginary "must-adds," like the title in red, a 1.73" wiggly margin on the left, and perhaps << >> symbols around very foreign words, but most of my crowd is too smart for such pranks.

So let me give you the absolutely iron-clad best advice about what a manuscript must look like, then I'll send you to one of my web pages at www.gordonburgett.com called "Manuscript Format" that has more details!

What must a manuscript look like? An easy-to-read, well-centered, neat, strike-free, exciting piece of writing that does absolutely nothing to distract the eye-weary reader from completing his or her daily task. No lace, no gaudy arrows at the main point, all in black and white, nothing in CAPS that shouldn't be, the underline key at rest, italics seldom seen. Just dynamite prose leaping mentally off the page.

Enough: go to this page for a more complete response. And if you have time, check out two books, one that shows where that dynamite prose is easiest to sell, the other where you can make the most money fastest and with the least risk if the words are book length.

Keep writing...

Gordon Burgett