WhatsApp info@pathwalkerpublishing.com.ng
Pathwalker Publishing Ltd
Publish With Us
Manuscript Guidelines

Prepare your manuscript for a stronger publishing assessment.

A clear, well-organised manuscript helps our editorial team understand your idea, evaluate its readiness and recommend the right publishing pathway. Use these guidelines before submitting your work to Pathwalker Publishing Ltd.

Submit Your Manuscript Explore Publishing Services
Professional manuscript editing and publishing preparation
Author manuscript consultation
Good preparation saves editorial time.Clear files, complete information and clean formatting make assessment more efficient and accurate.
Before You Submit

Four essentials to get right first.

These are the minimum preparation standards we recommend for every manuscript entering professional review.

Editable manuscriptSubmit an editable Word document where possible so editorial comments and tracked changes can be applied.
Clear structureUse a logical chapter order, consistent headings and complete front or back matter where already available.
Original & authorisedYou should own or have permission to use the text, quotations, images and other third-party material supplied.
Project informationInclude your name, contact details, book title, target audience, genre or subject and publishing objective.
01

File format and manuscript setup

For assessment and editing, an editable document is usually the most practical submission format. Keep the master file simple and stable rather than heavily designed.

  • Preferred working format: Microsoft Word .doc or .docx.
  • PDF may be supplied as a reference copy, but editable files may still be requested.
  • Use one complete manuscript file unless the project requires separate volumes or specialist assets.
  • Use standard page size, readable margins and a common professional font.
  • Avoid decorative text boxes, manual columns and complex page design before editorial review.
Final interior design is a separate production stage. A clean manuscript is easier to edit than a manuscript that has already been heavily typeset.
02

Formatting for editorial review

Consistency matters more than decoration. The editorial team should be able to identify headings, quotations, lists, notes and paragraphs immediately.

  • Use 11–12 pt body text and comfortable line spacing.
  • Use heading styles consistently for chapter titles and subheadings.
  • Start each new chapter on a new page.
  • Use proper paragraph breaks rather than repeated spaces or tabs for alignment.
  • Number chapters consistently if your book uses chapter numbers.
  • Keep spelling conventions reasonably consistent throughout the manuscript.
03

Book structure and front matter

Your manuscript does not need to be fully typeset, but the intended reading sequence should be obvious. Include any elements you already know must appear in the final book.

  • Provisional title and subtitle.
  • Table of contents or chapter list for non-fiction works.
  • Dedication, acknowledgements, foreword or preface where applicable.
  • Introduction and complete chapter sequence.
  • Endnotes, bibliography, references, appendices, exercises or study questions where relevant.
  • Short author biography and any important contributor information.
04

Content quality and manuscript readiness

Do a self-review before submission. A manuscript may still require developmental editing, but obvious unfinished sections should be resolved wherever possible.

  • Remove duplicate passages, placeholder notes and accidental repeated sections.
  • Check that chapter titles match the actual content of each chapter.
  • Verify names, dates, statistics, Scripture references, quotations and factual claims.
  • Make sure the conclusion, call to action or final chapter genuinely completes the book.
  • Identify any sections that intentionally remain provisional and tell us in your submission note.
05

Quotations, citations and references

Sources should be identifiable. The exact citation style may differ by genre, but quotations and borrowed ideas should not be presented as original material.

  • Attribute direct quotations to their sources.
  • For academic, professional or research-based works, use a consistent citation system.
  • Provide enough publication information for references to be checked.
  • For Scripture quotations, identify the Bible translation used where appropriate.
  • Long extracts, song lyrics, poems, photographs and proprietary material may require written permission from the rights holder.
Pathwalker may ask for permissions documentation before production or publication. Supplying third-party content does not automatically mean it is cleared for publication.
06

Images, illustrations, tables and charts

If your book contains visual material, preserve the original high-quality files instead of relying only on images pasted into Word.

  • Label images clearly and indicate where they should appear.
  • Supply original high-resolution image files separately where available.
  • Include captions, credits and source information.
  • Ensure tables and charts are legible and that underlying data is accurate.
  • Do not submit images copied from websites unless you have permission or appropriate rights to use them.
07

Originality, permissions and legal responsibility

Authors remain responsible for the originality and lawful use of material submitted for publication. This includes text, photographs, artwork, case studies, personal information and confidential material.

  • Do not knowingly submit plagiarised or unlawfully copied material.
  • Obtain consent where private individuals are identifiable in sensitive stories or case material.
  • Flag potentially defamatory, confidential or legally sensitive passages.
  • Keep records of licences and permissions obtained from third parties.
  • Disclose substantial use of previously published material.
08

What to include with your submission

Your submission should help us understand both the manuscript and the publishing goal. A strong submission is more than simply attaching a file.

  • Author's full name and reliable email/telephone contact.
  • Book title and subtitle, even if provisional.
  • Genre, subject area and intended readership.
  • Approximate word count and current manuscript status.
  • Short description of the book and the problem, need or audience it addresses.
  • Your preferred publishing timeline, if there is a genuine deadline.
  • Any special requirements such as illustrations, workbook pages, institutional branding or multiple editions.
Submission does not by itself constitute acceptance for publication or a publishing contract. We first review the project and recommend the appropriate next step.
Assessment Outcomes

What may happen after we review your manuscript.

Not every manuscript enters production at the same stage. Our recommendation depends on readiness, scope and publishing objective.

Ready for editorial production

The manuscript is sufficiently developed to proceed into editing, proofreading, design and production planning.

Development required

The central idea is viable but structure, depth, organisation or clarity needs further work before production.

Clarification required

We may need a conversation about audience, scope, rights, institutional requirements, format or commercial expectations.

Is your manuscript ready for professional review?

Submit your project information and manuscript, or speak with our team first if you need help deciding the best publishing pathway.

Submit ManuscriptRead Publishing FAQs