How to Write a Book Manuscript: A Complete Guide for Beginners

What Is a Book Manuscript?

A book manuscript is the complete text of your book before it's published. It includes everything — your chapters, front matter, back matter, and any supplementary content. Whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, understanding manuscript structure is the first step toward getting published.

Step 1: Plan Your Book Before You Write

Before you type a single word, spend time planning. A solid outline saves you weeks of rewriting later.

• Define your genre and audience. Know who you're writing for.
• Create a chapter outline. List your main chapters and what each one covers.
• Set a word count goal. Most novels are 70,000–90,000 words. Non-fiction books range from 40,000–60,000.
• Establish a writing schedule. Even 500 words a day adds up to a finished draft in a few months.

Step 2: Set Up Your Writing Environment

Your tools matter. You need software that helps you organize chapters, saves your work automatically, and lets you focus on writing without technical distractions.

BookWriter Pro is designed specifically for manuscript writing. It organizes your book into chapters and sections, auto-saves every few seconds, and lets you access your work from any device.

Step 3: Write Your First Draft

The first draft doesn't need to be perfect — it just needs to exist. Here are some tips:

• Write in order or out of order. Some authors write linearly; others jump to scenes that excite them. Both approaches work.
• Don't edit as you go. Resist the urge to perfect every sentence. Get the full story down first.
• Use section notes. Keep research and ideas alongside your chapters so you don't lose track of important details.
• Track your word count. Watching your progress builds momentum and motivation.

Step 4: Revise and Edit

Once your first draft is complete, set it aside for at least a week. Then come back with fresh eyes and:

• Read through the entire manuscript. Note big-picture issues like plot holes, pacing problems, or structural weaknesses.
• Revise chapter by chapter. Strengthen weak sections, cut unnecessary content, and improve clarity.
• Use a grammar checker. Tools like BookWriter Pro's built-in grammar checker catch common errors and improve readability.
• Save versions. Use version history to keep snapshots of your manuscript at different stages.

Step 5: Format and Export

When your manuscript is polished, format it for submission or publishing:

• Standard manuscript format uses 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.
• Export to Word for agent submissions.
• Export to PDF for beta readers or personal review.
• Export to EPUB if you're self-publishing on platforms like Amazon KDP.

Start Writing Today

The hardest part of writing a book is starting. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can turn your idea into a finished manuscript. BookWriter Pro gives you everything you need to write, organize, and export your book — and you can start for free.