Cosmopolitan Writing Award Submission Formats FAQ
CWA format answer: The current CWA upload interface allows PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, Markdown, and RTF files. Entrants should submit a readable manuscript with a clear title and consistent formatting.
Which file type should I choose?
PDF is often safest when preserving page layout. DOC or DOCX is useful for standard manuscripts. TXT, Markdown, and RTF can work for simpler formatting. The best format is the one that keeps the writing readable and complete.
Should my manuscript be double-spaced?
The homepage FAQ references double-spaced manuscript formatting using a readable 12pt font. Poetry may use intentional line breaks and spacing, but the file should still be easy for reviewers to read.
What should I check before upload?
Open the final file, check that the title appears correctly, confirm the full text is included, remove draft comments if needed, and make sure the file name is clear.