April 21, 2009

By Vonda Skelton

Posted in: Writing Instruction | Writing Opportunities | Writer's Conferences

Formatting Basics

If you've read The Christian Writer's Den blog for any length of time, you know that I believe in writer's conferences. As a matter of fact, you can read about how I sold my first article at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference over grits and bacon. It's true! Just ask Jesse Florea of Focus on the Family.

The best use of your conference dollars is to take advantage of all the opportunities the events offer, including submitting pieces for critique, entering the contests, and scheduling appointments with professionals.  Last week we discussed the synopsis part of the process. This week I'd like to continue our conversation by talking about how to format your manuscript. Remember, you have one chance to make a good first impression. It's your job to prepare as much as possible for that moment. Here are the basics:

  • Use white paper and black ink. I know this may sound too basic, but believe me, it must be said. This is not the moment to be unique. Professionals want to know that you've taken the time to learn the basics. Colored inks and bright or pastel paper say you haven't.
  • Along those same lines, don't use fancy fonts. Most word processing software systems set 12 pt Times New Roman as the default font, and for good reason--it's the most widely-used font. Other fonts may not only be difficult to read, but they may not even be included in the receiver's software package, which can prevent the clean delivery of your manuscript.
  • Do not add clip art. It screams "unprofessional!"
  • Here's a formatting sample of a book manuscript. (Scroll down to sample pages) Unless the publisher's guidelines state something different, follow this basic format.
  • Here's a formatting sample of an article. Again, if the editor asks for a different format, you will want to follow that format. I have one editor who asks for single spaced articles. Out of all the publishers and editors I've worked with, this is the only one who has ever asked for anything other than the standard format.
  • Note that the header at the top of each page begins with the second page of the manuscript. If you don't know how to do headers, use the Help menu of your software. I'm sorry, but since each system is a little different, I can't explain here how to do them. (Besides, I'm a bona fide techno-dummy!)
  • Also, be sure each page has your name and the page number on it. Just imagine someone is carrying a stack of manuscripts across the room and drops them, causing all the pages and manuscripts to mix together. You'll want the editor to be able to connect your words with your name--and in the right order!
  • Be sure all your contact information is on the first page. (Some old instructions may say to include your SS number. That is no longer necessary and, in fact, is quite dangerous in this day and age.)

Okay, I think that covers the major points. If you have a question I didn't cover, just leave a comment and I'll try to answer it.

I hope this has helped you as you prepare for your conference. Remember, it's all a process. You're not going to your first conference and walk out with a contract. (Although you could have some genuine interest.) But each time you attend a conference, you'll learn more about the craft, learn more about the needs of the publishers, and hopefully gain a better understanding of what God has called you to do.

And if you've already made some of those mistakes I mentioned, don't worry. None are fatal. I'm living proof of that. Just come to a conference where I'm teaching and you'll most likely hear a story from my "Idiot File."

And the idiot is ME.

Let me just say, you'll walk away from that conference knowing that "If that idiot can get published, ANYBODY can get published!"

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Upcoming Writers' Conference Opportunities

I'll be at these conferences this year and would LOVE to see you there! (I'm sorry but you'll need to cut and paste the links until I can get back in and do it. I just ran out of time!)

➢    Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, May 17-21, Ridgecrest, NC. http://www.brmcwc.com  
➢    Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival, May 31-June 4, Ridgecrest, NC. http://www.gideonfilmfestival.com/Home/?load=1 
➢    St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference, June 22-27, Grove City, PA. http://www.stdavidswriters.com/
➢    Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference, August 6-8, Langhorne, PA. https://writehisanswer.com/philadelphia/  Register by June 1 for early discount.
➢    North Texas Christian Writer's Conference, September 11-12, Keller, TX. http://ntchristianwriters.com/index.php/conference-mainmenu-87.html 
➢    CLASS Christian Writers' Conference (formerly Glorieta Christian Writers'Conference), November 4-8, Abiquiu, NM. (new website under construction, so check back soon) http://classeminars.org/Events/Writers-Conference/ 
➢    And last, but certainly not least...the annual Christian Writer's Den Fall Writing Retreat registration will be announced soon.  This year's dates are October 1-4 at The Cabin Cove in Todd, NC. You can check out last year's retreat here. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4034561070249371063 

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Writing Opportunities for YOU!

➢    Centered Magazine, an online and soon-to-be-print magazine for men 18-35 is looking for writers. (Our own Edie Melson is already a contributing writer!) http://www.centeredmag.com/  If interested, contact Alex Sok at contactus@centeredmag.com.
➢    Christian Ladies Connect Lifestyle Magazine is a new online magazine looking for writers. http://christianladies.net/magazine/write-for-us/ 
➢    Christian Devotions has published many of our readers. Editors Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles say they are still looking for writers for Faith & Finances, Spirit & Soul, and Spirit & Body. http://www.christiandevotions.us/write.html 
➢    Cup of Comfort books continue to seek writers. Several of our readers have been published through this series of books. Paying market! http://www.cupofcomfort.com/WritersGuidelines/ 
➢    Chicken Soup books still going strong! This series has also published several of our readers. Paying market! http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books 
➢    Just Between Us, a magazine "for women with a heart for ministry," is looking for writers. http://www.justbetweenus.org/guidelines.html 
➢    Guidepost is sponsoring a new series: The Incredible Power of Prayer. Contact Jeanette Littleton for writer's guidelines: Incredibleprayers@earthlink.net. This is a paying market!
➢    For those living in Upstate SC, the Hub City Writers Project is seeking submissions for a book on the Upstate outdoors. Contact Michel Stone at michelstone@hotmail.com for writer's guidelines.
➢    Bestselling author, Cec Murphey (90 Minutes in Heaven) is working on a book about men who were sexually abused as children and he's looking for testimonies from/about women who helped them in the recovery process. If you think you might have a story that would be a good fit, please contact Cec at c.murphey@comcast.net. Note: This is not a writing opportunity, but a chance to share your story with Cec and possibly see it used in his book. Names will be changed, if desired. But you must hurry. Deadline is next week at the latest.

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Writing Contests
➢    Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition http://www.writersdigest.com/annual --You could win $3000!
➢    Cheerios Children's Book Contest -You could win $1000! http://www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com/registration_form/ 
➢    Mystery Writers Festival Competition-cash prizes! http://www.newmysteries.org/submission_guidelines/ 

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Whew! I don't know about you, but I'm tired! But what great information we have right here at our fingertips. Could it be that the time is right for you to step out in faith and take the next step in your call to write and speak for Him? I know it's scary. But Jesus had words about that for His disciples 2000 years ago, and He has the same words for us today. We may not worry about being arrested (at least not yet), but the application is still the same. We must do whatever He calls us to do, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be.

"On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matthew 10:18-20

Let's commit to opening our mouths and preparing our fingers. He has words He wants us to share.

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda

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3 Comments

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#1 Cynthia

Vonda,this is great information, thank you!
Between last week's blog and this week I feel more prepared to work on a synopis and book manuscript. Blue Ridge Conference is coming up so quickly....

#2 Cheryl Barker — http://cherylbarker.blogspot.com/

Vonda, thanks for the updated info on what had formerly been the Glorieta conference. I had been wondering what would be done about that. Not sure what conference I'll go to this year yet but am happy to get the info.

By the way, I'm a techno dummy, too :) Thanks for being so real with us! :)

#3 Melony Brown — http://www.melonybrown.com

As always, you offer great writing tips. Thanks for being a great inspiration to all writers.

Love you! Melony

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