Whether you have written a textbook, a research monograph, a collection of poems or a reference guide, the way you prepare your manuscript affects how quickly it can be reviewed, edited and published. A clean, complete manuscript saves weeks of back-and-forth with the publisher.
Here is a practical checklist for getting your book ready.
1. Complete the full text first
Unless the publisher asks only for a proposal and sample chapters, submit the complete manuscript. Make sure all chapters, the introduction, the conclusion and any appendices are written and revised. A manuscript with “chapter 6 to be added later” causes delays at every stage.
2. Organise the parts of the book
A typical academic or non-fiction book has these parts, in this order:
Front matter:
- Title page (title, subtitle, author or editor names)
- Dedication (optional)
- Foreword (written by someone else, optional)
- Preface or acknowledgements
- Table of contents
- List of tables, figures and abbreviations (if needed)
Main text: chapters, numbered consistently.
Back matter:
- Appendices
- References or bibliography
- Glossary (if useful)
- Index (often prepared at the proof stage)
- A short author biography
3. Format the file simply
You do not need to design the book; the publisher will do that. In fact, heavy formatting makes typesetting harder. Instead:
- Use a standard font (Times New Roman, Calibri, or a Unicode Devanagari font for Marathi and Hindi) at 12 point.
- Use 1.5 line spacing and normal margins.
- Use Word’s heading styles (Heading 1 for chapter titles, Heading 2 for sections) rather than manually enlarging text.
- Do not use spaces or tabs to centre or indent text.
- Number pages.
- Keep one file per chapter, or one file for the whole book, as the publisher prefers.
4. Tables, figures and images
- Number tables and figures by chapter (Table 3.1, Figure 3.2).
- Give each a clear title and a source line.
- Supply photographs and maps as separate high-resolution files (at least 300 dpi for print).
- Make sure you have the right to use every image. Your own photographs and maps are best. For others, get written permission or use openly licensed material with proper credit.
5. References
Use one citation style throughout the book. Check that every citation in the text appears in the reference list and that details such as page numbers and years are correct. In an edited book, the editors should ensure all chapter authors follow the same style.
6. Proofread
Read the full manuscript at least once in print. It is easier to spot errors on paper. Better still, ask a colleague to read it too. Check names, dates, numbers and spellings of place names carefully.
7. Prepare the supporting information
Most publishers will also ask for:
- A short description of the book (100–200 words) for the back cover and online listing
- Keywords and subject area
- Intended readers (students, researchers, practitioners)
- Author or editor details: name, designation, institution, contact information and photograph
- A declaration that the work is original and does not infringe anyone’s copyright
8. Edited volumes and conference books
If you are editing a collection of chapters or seminar papers, you will also need a list of contributors with affiliations, a consistent template for all chapters, and confirmation that each author has agreed to publication. Plan time for collecting revised chapters, which is often the slowest step.
9. Understand the process after submission
A typical sequence is: manuscript review → editing and corrections → typesetting → author proof checking → ISBN allotment and cover design → printing and/or eBook release. Ask the publisher for an approximate timeline and what is expected from you at each stage, especially at the proof stage, where corrections should be limited to errors.
A well-prepared manuscript makes the publishing process smoother for everyone and helps your book reach readers sooner and in better shape.
— Editorial Team, Imaginative Ink Publications