About C.F. Jackson Expertise Submit questions about publishing your work or self-publishing. Ask simple questions on going from writing a story to what is next.
Experience I have independently published my own novel. In addition, I've walked the path of seeking the traditional method of becoming published.
Organizations The Writer's Forum (B&N affiliation), BWUnited, and SORG writer's group
Publications I have had articles published on Express Yourself, Virtual Black Man, and in print with the Atlanta Creative Loafing. In additional I've been interviewed by various mass media, such as radio (WVEE 103.3 FM), print (Rolling Out), television (Sumter TV) and the WWW.
Question Dear C.F. Jackson,
I am seventeen years old and have written a fiction novel. I recieved a letter from a publisher yesterday asking me to send him a full manuscript.
My book is approximetley 33,000 words. How long does the manuscript have to be? what should i include in the manuscript( ie, introduction, middle and end?) should i also include such things as a synopsis? and how long do i have to do all of this?
Any help from you would be greatley appriciated.
Thank you for your time,
-Amber
Answer Amber,
Congratulations on for completing a novel and obtaining interest of a publisher!!!
I would like to thank you for allowing me to assist you with your questions. It will be a pleasure to share my knowledge and experience with you.
As for the length of a novel are as follows:
1. Novellas - 30,000 - 50,000 (a short novel or long short story)
2. Novels - 70,000 - 100,000 words (for extrems 101,000+)
To truly calculate your words count, you have to format your manuscript correctly.
Margins: 1 inch all around
Font: 10 or 12 point plan font. (Times, Arial or Courier)
Line Space: Double
Chapter Title: Approximately 6 spaces from top.
First Paragraph: 4 Spaces from chapter title.
---- Complete page set up ----
a. Go to Format then select paragraph
b. Line spacing - select excatly
c. At - select 25 pt
Once you've properly formated your ms. now you can determine your word count. Each page is considered to have 250 words per page, by industry standards. So now you multiply 250 by the number of pages of your manuscript.
That is your page count. You can smile. You will have more than you initially calculated.
What to include in your submission, will all depend on that publisher. Follow their request step-by-step. Visit their website to see what their submission guidelines are. This will follow suit with a synopsis. Requirements vary from publisher to publisher. That information should be located on their website.
Amber, with your submission make sure not to ever send money with any submission. No agency or publisher should request monies from you. Even if they proclaim they have a service for you, RUN! Unless you're self-publishing, the only monies you're out is postage.
When you send you submissions, include self address stamped envelope.
It is a good idea to have it edited, also. Submit your work as clean as possible.
I would like to refer you to a good resource Writer's Digest Magazine. You find it in your local bookstore. It's monthly and it can guide on a lot of other aspects of writing.
Keep yourself savvy of what is going on and don't fall prey to gimicks or frauds. Continue to write!
Peace,
C.F. Jackson
author, Won't Be Denied
"writing to challenge the mind and entertain"
www.cfjackson.us
