A manuscript is a handwritten or typed document that contains the text of a book, article, or other written work. It is often the first draft of a piece before it is published. Authors, like J.K. Rowling or Mark Twain, typically create manuscripts to organize their thoughts and ideas before sharing them with editors or publishers. In the world of publishing, a manuscript can be submitted to literary agents or publishing houses for consideration. Once accepted, it undergoes editing and formatting before becoming a finished product, such as a novel or academic paper. Manuscripts are essential in the journey of transforming ideas into published works.