February Requests: Format

Agents will request partial or full manuscripts in one of two ways: paste it in the email, or attach it. And it's usually pretty clear how they want it. They'll say paste or attach.

Pasting materials:

1. Hit "reply"
2. Add your note: (agent's name), Thanks for requesting (so many pages) of (title). You'll find the requested material pasted below. I look forward to hearing from you. (closing signature)
3. Press "enter" a few times
4. Go to your manuscript and copy the desired number of pages (you can go over a few to get to the end of a sentence or scene)
5. Go to your email and paste the desired pages
6. Send

Attaching materials:

1. Save the desired number of pages in a .doc document (try not to use .docx as some ereaders have difficulty reading it)
2. Don't use fancy graphics as it detracts attention from your manuscript and can show up funky on some monitors and ereaders
3. Refer to my blog post Formatting for Ereaders if you want your manuscript to look pretty whether on a computer or ereader
4. The file name you save your document under should be the title of your manuscript. Be sure your name and email is on the title page of your manuscript (so I know who it belongs to)
5. In the email thread hit "reply"
6. Add your note, (agent's name, Thank you for requesting (number of pages) of (title). The requested material is attached. I look forward to hearing from you. (closing signature)
7. Attach requested material
8. Send

It may seem pretty self explanatory, but you'd be amazed at how many people don't do this. It's simple. I need nothing else. No explanations of how you came up with the idea, how I shouldn't just the first 50 pages because it picks up after that, how much you worship the ground I walk on, etc.

Remember. Simple is good. It's your ms that needs to speak volumes. Not you.

Happy writing!