On a related point, what margins is it usual to leave around the page? I'm using 4cm top and left, 4.43cm bottom and 2.5cm right. Does this sound about right?

Alex

They usually want a minimum of an inch left and right: 2.54cm, I think it is. 3cm would be plenty Top and bottom just need to look sensible: i.e. not much less. Much wider on the left is for binding, which you're not doing for an MS (again, maybe filmscripts are different?)

Emma

Thanks, Emma. Both the courier font that I used to use, and the margins I was setting, were based on advice I'd read about how a manuscript is supposed to be presented. I can only assume that practices have changed since that advice was written.

Alex

Yes, or again it's scriptwriting advice.

I think the thing is, mainstream book publishers really aren't that bothered, except that it should be incredibly painless to read at the first reading, with enough space for them to scribble on if they choose to. But it's not even as if the MS you first send in is likely to be the one the typesetter works from...

Emma