This page details our manuscript requirements (page length, graphics, etc) and provides you with instructions to help you prepare your manuscript for submission.
Software Requirements
In order for us to design a high-quality, professional book for you, we accept manuscripts prepared using one of the following word processing software programs:
Windows: Word 95 and above (Click here to download book template) or Wordperfect 5.0 and above. Text documents are accepted, but will require more time for formatting. We also accept PC formatted, Quark Express files as well.
Mac: Word 95 and above and Wordperfect 5.0 and above.
Page Count
Next, make sure your manuscript fits within our requirements for page count: 40 - 125 (or 20-80 color) pages after production. If your book is over 125 pages, there will be an additional charge to get your work published. If you are submitting your manuscript without converting it to our 5.5x8.5 format (a standard 8.5x11 submission), it will be between 25-100 pages in length.
We have created a template for MSWORD to calculate the page amount of your book if your book is currently formatted to a standard 8.5x11 submission. Please click
here and simply copy and paste your manuscript in this template to get a rough idea how many pages your book will be.
If you're creating a poetry book, count each poem as one page (except for haiku's and small poems: count 3 per page). If you're concerned that your book may be too long or too short, contact us via our chat program to the right.
Graphics & Photos
Interior graphics must be 300 dpi images in tiff, eps, or psd file format. 300 dpi refers to the resolution of the graphic image. Remember, your computer screen is a lower-resolution device, so just because the graphic looks good there, doesn't mean it will print well. So, make sure your graphic is high resolution. Also, if you need to have graphics or photos scanned (and you do not have a scanner), we can do it for you for a minimum charge of $5.00 per picture or graphic. However, for the more frugal minded person, you can take your photos/graphics to any drugstore, Kinko's outlet and have them scanned onto a floppy disk at a Kodak kiosk for a minimum charge. Just make sure you scan your pictures at photo quality, rather then web quality. This will ensure a good, crisp scan of your picture!
Interior graphics must be both embedded in your manuscript - placed within the text just where you want them to appear - and provided as separate files, as well (on disk). When embedding your graphics, take extra care to ensure you've placed them just where you want them to appear in your finished book.
Cover photos/graphics should be at 300dpi or above. These photos/graphics can be in black and white or color. Please make sure to submit this in .tif, .eps, or .psd image format (the same as the interior photos/graphics of your book).
Paragraph Formatting
For those of you who are publishing books other then poetry, it is very important to follow this guideline. First Line Indents: The beginning of the paragraph (first line) should be indented with a tab. Indented Paragraphs: To indent a block of text, such as a passage from a referenced source, indent the paragraph by 1/2 inch.
Use of Dashes, Hyphens, and Ellipses
Dashes, ellipses and other special characters are found under the Insert menu of your word processor, under Symbol/Special Characters. Do not use double dashes -- to express a pause in a thought or duration of time. Please do not overuse ellipses...
If you have any questions about our Manuscript Guide at Wasteland Press, please click the live chat icon at the bottom of this page to speak with one of our representatives
