AboutMark David Gerson Expertise Happy to answer questions about writing, writer's block, publishing/self-publishing. Can
answer general questions, but not available to critique work.
Experience Published author; have taught writing for 15 years at colleges, universities and community centers in the U.S. and Canada. Successful freelance writer for more than a decade, working with newspapers, magazines and institutional clients.
Organizations Southwest Writers
New Mexico Book Co-op
Publications Author of the fantasy adventure, The MoonQuest, and the book of writing inspiration and practice, The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write. Freelanced full-time as a writer, journalist and editor for more than a decade. Published in a wide range of publications. Free inspirational e-newsletter has 1200 subscribers in more than a dozen countries.
Education/Credentials Published Author. Published Freelance Writer. More than 15 years of teaching/coaching/consulting.
Awards and Honors Award-Winning Finalist in Visionary Fiction, National Best Books 2007 Awards; New Mexico Discovery Award 2006
Question Can you tell me what typing program publishers prefer a writer to use for submissions? Like, Microsoft Word, that sort of thing?
Thank you.
Answer Dear Amber,
Publishers and agents are not at all concerned with which program you use to create your submission as long as the submission meets their guidelines. In most cases, they're looking for a double-spaced manuscript with 1-inch margins, a serif font and approximately 250 words per page. Check the submission guidelines, though, on the publisher's web site or in a reference book like Writer's Market.
Once your manuscript is accepted, different publishers will have different technical requirements. Again, the publisher's web site should have that information.
Having said all that, you'll never go wrong with a widely used word processing program like MS Word. Again, even using Word, be sure that your manuscript meets the specific requirements of the particular publisher or agent you're approaching.
Best of luck,
Mark David Gerson
author, The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write & The MoonQuest http://calltowrite.com
