We recommend presenting your novel extract and synopsis in industry standard format, anonymised.
Industry standard format for novel submissions
Order: Start your entry document with your novel extract with the synopsis as your last page.
Font: Use Times New Roman or a similarly easy-to-read font, size of 12 points, black.
Margins: Use the standard setting of one-inch margins on all sides of the page.
Page: A4 size with a white background.
Spacing: Use double-spacing throughout your novel extract, and single-spacing for your synopsis. Add an extra space between paragraphs where you are signalling a change of scene, time or POV.
Indentation: No indent for the first line of every new chapter or scene. Indent new paragraphs and dialogue by 0.5 inches.
Alignment: Left-align your text, so that the right hand side looks ragged.
Titles: Novel and chapter titles or numbers are typically centred in a bold, italicized, or in a larger font size. Present your novel title one-third of the way down the first page. Leave a couple of line spaces between the novel title and the title of your chapter, and again before the first line of your book.
Dialogue: Dialogue is usually indicated with quotation marks (“ ”). Each speaker’s dialogue is placed on a new line and indented.
Scene Breaks: Indicate by inserting a blank line, or by using a symbol such as an asterisk (*) centred on a line by itself.
Page Numbers: Typically in the footer, aligned right or centre.
File type and name: We accept Word and pdf files, preferably titled with your novel title, rather than ‘Bath Entry’ etc.
What to exclude for anonymity: As our prize is judged blind, your entry should not include any author information, acknowledgements, cover pages, copyright declarations or images of any kind.
