Presenting text with a blank line between each typed line is considered double-spaced, while presenting text with no blank lines between lines is single-spaced. A manuscript formatted with increased spacing between lines traditionally allowed editors to insert handwritten comments and corrections more easily. An example of this visual difference can be seen by comparing any two paragraphs, one formatted with an extra blank line between each line of text, and the other without.
The preferred line spacing for book manuscripts has evolved over time. While double-spacing was once the industry standard, facilitating editing and revision processes, the advent of digital editing has led to increased flexibility. Modern word processing software makes adding comments and tracking changes straightforward in single-spaced documents. Choosing appropriate line spacing can enhance readability for editors and typesetters, contributing to a smoother workflow and potentially a higher quality final product. Additionally, some publishers now specifically request single-spaced submissions.
