Staples, bulldogs, bindings, etc.

[ChipTee]

Here's a question I come up against from time to time.

What sort of 'fixing' for a ms, if any, is appropriate when submitting work, in particular for competitions?

On occasion it is stated - sometimes in the negative, no staples - usually there is no comment.
I have used staples, bulldog clips, rubber bands and a single punch hole with a split metal fixing through it. (Not all at the same time!) I know that plastic wallets and full ring bindings are not favoured.

In particular in the next ten days I am submitting a play into a competition, it runs to some 80 pages. I would welcome any advice on what 'fixing' would be best. In the absence of any better suggestion I favour a single (top left) punch hole with a metal split fixing which holds it together, allows the ms to be read and is easily taken out if there is any later need for photocopying.

Thanks for any ideas, Chip.

[Lin]

Can someone reply to this? - Im about to submit some work and would like to know the answer to the above question please.

  This is a good subject for my new Frequently asked Questions topic and I would like your answers for this topc, by Chip Tee, to use for that too.  Many thanks

Lin

[Foxy]

All the advice that I've read on this subject says the same thing: unless the submission guidlines say otherwise, never use any form of binding on your manuscript.

[gub2000]

I agree with Foxy. Unless it is a movie script (where the standard is 3 brads along the left hand margin) the standard is to submit your work unbound.

If the submission guidelines for your contest don't mention any binding methods, them I'd sent it in loose.

gub2000

[Caroline]

For a short ms - eg a short story - I'm a paper clip girl myself 

I understand that staples, folders, wallets etc are a definite no-no...

Don't forget to number your pages though...no binding and no numbers could well =    when you or the recipient accidentally drops everything on the floor!    

[SuzieHarris]

Use the add headers and footers function in a word document to add the title of the piece and your name,  plus use the number page tab once you're done to order everything. That way all the pages won't get jumbled should they be dropped as they are easily sorted again

Suzie

[ChipTee]

Thanks all for your advice and I'm guided accordingly. Yes, page numbers and title a must (I usually put them in a footer, if page numbers only in top right) , though in most competitions name is entry form only.
It is helpful to get Qs easily answered in this circle.
Chip