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Preparing Your Manuscript for Editing

Please revise your manuscript as much as you reasonably can before submitting it. Writing is rewriting. The more self-editing you've done, the more I can focus on strengthening your manuscript rather than correcting issues you may already have identified yourself.

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To help ensure a smooth editing process, please submit your manuscript in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx). You don't need to worry about making it look like a finished book—I'll be focusing on the writing, not the design. 

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Please don't let formatting delay your submission. Your manuscript doesn't need to be perfect before it comes to me. My role is to help you refine and strengthen your work, not to judge first drafts. If you're unsure about any of the formatting guidelines below, simply send me your manuscript as it is and I'll let you know if anything needs adjusting before editing begins. Or I can format it for you for a small fee.

Preferred manuscript format:

Microsoft Word (.docx), A4 page size, 2.5 cm margins, 11- or 12-point Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman, 1.5 or double line spacing, left-aligned text with page numbers.

Paragraphs:

  • Use one space after full stops.

  • Use the Enter key only once between paragraphs.

  • Create new paragraphs using Word's paragraph settings, not multiple blank lines.

  • Don't use spaces or tabs to align text.

  • Do not use the spacebar or multiple tabs to align text. Use Word's paragraph formatting and tab settings instead

  • Please do not insert extra blank lines between paragraphs unless they are intentionally separating sections. Use Word's paragraph spacing settings instead.

Headings

Use Word's built-in heading styles where possible:

  • Heading 1 – Chapter titles

  • Heading 2 – Main headings

  • Heading 3 – Subheadings

Text format:

Please keep formatting simple. There's no need to spend hours making your manuscript look beautiful before editing. Basic formatting is all that's required.

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Avoid:

  • multiple fonts

  • coloured text (unless there's a specific reason)

  • excessive bold or italics

  • text boxes

  • decorative borders

  • manual spacing for layout

  • multiple spaces used for alignment

Images, tables and diagrams

If your manuscript contains images, diagrams or tables:

  • leave them in approximately the correct position

  • provide high-resolution copies separately if available

  • clearly label all figures and tables

References

If your manuscript includes references or citations, please let me know which referencing style you're using (APA, Chicago, Harvard, etc.).

Track Changes

Please ensure Track Changes is turned off before submitting your manuscript unless we've agreed that I'll be working from an already edited version.

Author Questionnaire

Before editing begins, you'll also be asked to complete my Author Questionnaire. This gives me valuable insight into your goals, target audience, publishing plans and vision for your book, allowing me to tailor my editing to your specific project.

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