I am getting ready to send a short story to a contest. The rules are pretty clear about titles, numbered pages, margins, double-space, etc. What I don't know is how to secure my 40 pages together? Do I use a paperclip, a brad, a large clip, a staple...or nothing at all? I imagine if I was shipping off a 350 page novel there would be no way of nailing the pages together but on a short story is it expected?
Can you tell I am a novice?
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 1563) on :
When I sent my first story to Marion Zimmer Bradley, it came back with a large paper clip on the pages. From then on, I've always used a paper clip.
Works for me.
Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :
The general rule is that only scripts are bound together. All others are not, even paper clips are frowned on. Staples ect. are out for sure.
A paper clip has to be taken off and it can get on the floor ect. Basicly, it is one more step to look through your pages. Most contests will state if they want the pages held together in some way---otherwise follow the standard of nothing.
Do make sure you use a slug line on each page and a page number on every page but the cover page. That wya if it gets dropped they know where the pages go.
Shawn
Posted by Cosmi (Member # 1252) on :
potentially stupid question alert: what's a slug line?
TTFN & ?
Cosmi
Posted by SiliGurl (Member # 922) on :
A slug line, I think, is something like this:
Henderson / My Short Story / 4
(name / title/ page #)
Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :
Yes it's the line at the top of each page that tells the name of your work/your name and then in the other corner the page number.
The dang things can get pretty long and it is acceptable to use a smaller font pt for it. Your ms shuld be 12pt and you can use 10 pt for the slug line. Once you get into official rewrites you have title/author/draft number/and date of draft.
Don't forget that on the cover page(the page with the title in the center)that you need all your info. Personal info goes on the left, name, address, phone, fax, e-mail. On the right you have title, genre, word count--- It's also a good idea to include this info on the first page of your ms as title pages can get lost but not first pages.
Shawn
[This message has been edited by srhowen (edited February 27, 2003).]
Posted by Enders Star (Member # 1578) on :
Give them a cookie, make it choclate chip, theymight be impressed, I know I would. Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :
I have thought about sending my agent a box of Girl Scout cookies--- Posted by Enders Star (Member # 1578) on :
Make it the peanut butter ones or the mint chocolate Posted by Cosmi (Member # 1252) on :
