All publishers format scripts in different ways.  If we accept your script for publication then we'll edit it to match our house style but the closer to that style you submit the script in, the quicker we'll be able to publish it.  It's possible that the editor could alter the way your script reads so leaving that process to us might result in your script being slightly different to how you intended so that's another reason to format it yourself before we publish it.

One other reason for the way we format our scripts is the way we publish.  We make all scripts available to read on the internet and customers may browse several different scripts before choosing which to purchase. Having all the scripts appear in the same format is very important when browsing through.

If we can follow the formatting of a script then we're happy to edit it to match our house style (for example, there is a US formatting which reads like a screenplay) but to help you format your script, the following guidelines will help.

1. Title
2. Name of playwright(s)
3. Character list (with short description and whether the character is F or M)
4. All stage directions in brackets and in bold
5. Stressed words in italics
6. Production notes (scenery suggestions, character descriptions, props list) at the end of the script

This is how the dialogue and headings in the script should look:

Act 1

Scene 1 - Throne Room

(Lights up. Tabs open to reveal an elaborately decorated throne room. There is a large bejeweled throne centre stage.  The King enters stage right and moves upstage centre to address the audience)

King:       Why did I come in here?

(Queen enters)

Queen:    (sarcastically) Started talking to ourselves have we?

King:      (Turns to look at Queen) Where did you come from?