✨ This article was AI edited. Editorial responsibility: CreativeWriting-Prompts.com.
Updated: September 2026
Contents
Standard Manuscript Format (Shunn Standard) Quick Reference Checklist
Literary agents and acquiring editors review manuscripts in William Shunn Standard Format. Deviating signals amateur status before page one is read:
1-inch margins on all sides. Pure black text on white background.
0.5-inch first-line indent via ruler (NEVER tabs or spacebar). 0pt after paragraph.
Right-aligned in header zone (0.5 in from top), beginning on page 2.
One blank double-spaced line above and below. Page break before each chapter.
Understanding Literary Agent Submission Standards
Every year, top literary agencies like Curtis Brown, Writers House, and Trident Media receive over 10,000 unsolicited queries and manuscript submissions. When agents request sample pages or a full manuscript, their primary evaluation tool is Kindle or Microsoft Word running track changes.
An agent does not want your manuscript to look like a finished, typeset paperback. Typeset styling (justified margins, drop caps, decorative fonts, single spacing) actually destroys the reading workflow: agents cannot easily annotate, calculate word-to-page ratios, or adjust font sizes on their e-readers. Submitting in classical William Shunn Standard Manuscript Format proves you respect publishing norms and operate as a seasoned professional.
The 2026 Shunn Standard Formatting Matrix
| Formatting Element | Industry Standard Spec | Amateur Pitfall to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Font Family | Times New Roman (or Courier New / Georgia) | Using decorative, fantasy, or sans-serif fonts (Papyrus, Arial, Comic Sans). |
| Font Size | 12 Point throughout (including headings) | Blowing chapter titles up to 24pt or shrinking text to save pages. |
| Margins | Strict 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) on all 4 sides | Narrow 0.5-inch margins or asymmetrical book gutter margins. |
| Text Alignment | Align Left (Ragged Right) | Justified text (creates uneven word spacing and awkward rivers of white). |
| Paragraph Indents | First Line Indent 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) | Pressing the Tab key or manually hitting the spacebar 5 times. |
| Line Spacing | Double (2.0) with 0pt space before and after | Single spacing or leaving blank lines between every standard paragraph. |
| Sentence Spacing | Single space after periods | Double spacing after periods (typewriter-era relic). |
| Running Header | SURNAME / SHORT TITLE / Page # (Right Aligned) | Missing author surname, headers on title page, or manual page numbers. |
Step-by-Step Title Page Architecture
Your title page should occupy page 1 of the manuscript without a running header. It contains four critical quadrants:
- Top Left (Contact Info): Single-spaced. Full legal name, mailing address, primary telephone number, professional email address, and website/social handle. If represented, your literary agency’s information goes here.
- Top Right (Word Count & Category): Right-aligned. Estimated word count rounded to the nearest thousand (e.g.,
Approx. 85,000 words), target genre (e.g.,Adult Psychological Thriller), and rights offered (e.g.,First North American Serial RightsorStandard Literary Rights). - Center Viewport (Title & Byline): Down approximately one-third of the page, centered. The book title in ALL CAPS or Title Case, followed by a double-spaced line, the word
by, and your pen name (or legal name if not using a pseudonym). - Bottom Center (Optional Content Notes): Any brief note regarding sensitive themes if requested in the agency guidelines.
Formatting Chapters and Scene Breaks
When transitioning chapters, insert a clean hard page break (Ctrl + Enter or Cmd + Enter). Do not hit enter repeatedly until the cursor falls to the next page.
- Chapter Heading: Drop one-third down the page (approximately 4–6 double-spaced lines from the top margin). Center the heading:
CHAPTER ONE(or1). If your chapter has a subtitle, center it on the next double-spaced line. Drop another 2 double-spaced lines before beginning paragraph one. - First Paragraph of a Chapter: In classic print typography, the opening paragraph has no indent. However, in Shunn manuscript format, either indenting 0.5 inches or leaving it flush-left is acceptable. Consistency across all chapters is what agents watch for.
- Scene Breaks (Time Jumps / POV Changes): Never leave a blank gap of 3–4 empty lines. Empty lines can fall across page boundaries and disappear. Center a hash symbol
#or three asterisks***on an isolated line with standard double spacing above and below.
Configuring Scrivener and Microsoft Word for Agency Export
Whether you write in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Scrivener, do not manually tweak styles page by page. Use these programmatic configurations:
Microsoft Word Automation
Right-click the Normal style in the Home ribbon > Modify. Set font to Times New Roman, size 12. Click Format > Paragraph. Set Alignment to Left, Special to First Line by 0.5", Spacing Before/After to 0 pt, and Line Spacing to Double. This ensures every typed or pasted paragraph auto-conforms.
Scrivener Compile Preset
Go to File > Compile. Select the standard Manuscript (Times 12pt) preset. Scrivener automatically strips out your personal writing font, normalizes indents, inserts running headers with dynamic page tags (<$p>), and outputs a pristine .docx file matching agency guidelines.
File Formats: Word .docx vs PDF vs Google Docs Links
Always submit a .docx (Microsoft Word) document unless the agency’s QueryTracker or submission page explicitly asks for a PDF.
- Why .docx is Mandatory: Literary agents use e-readers and manuscript software to annotate, highlight, and track word counts. PDFs freeze pagination, making text adjustments on mobile devices or Kindle Paperwhites nearly impossible.
- File Naming Protocol: Save your submission file using clear, professional nomenclature:
SURNAME_TITLE_Manuscript.docx(e.g.,HALL_THE_SILENT_VALLEY_Manuscript.docx). Never send a genericDraft_3_Final.docx.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I format dialogue in italics or quotation marks?
Standard American English publishing requires double quotation marks ("...") for spoken dialogue, with punctuation (periods, commas) placed inside the quotes. Internal monologue can use standard italics, but avoid overusing italics across entire paragraphs.
Do I include page numbers on the title page?
No. In standard publishing protocol, the title page is considered unnumbered. In Word, check ‘Different First Page’ in the Header & Footer settings so the running header only begins on page 2.
Is Courier New still acceptable or is Times New Roman better?
Both are accepted under classic Shunn standards. While Courier New was mandatory during the typewriter era for strict 250-words-per-page calculation, Times New Roman 12pt is now the overwhelming preference among modern agents because it takes up less vertical screen space.
How should I indicate scene breaks?
Insert a centered pound sign (#) or three asterisks (***) on an isolated line with double-spacing above and below. Never use decorative graphic glyphs or blank empty lines.
Should I include a copyright symbol or notice on my manuscript?
No. Adding a copyright symbol (©) or legal registration warning marks you immediately as an amateur. Literary agents already know your work is protected by statutory copyright upon creation.
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