Should you or shouldn't you....

[Branwyn]

Start the first chapter halfway down the page and subsequent chapters?

When an agent wants only the first five, ten or fifty pages it seems like a waste of space.
What do you do?

[Duncan J Macdonald]

Start the first chapter halfway down the page and subsequent chapters?

When an agent wants only the first five, ten or fifty pages it seems like a waste of space.
What do you do?As a complete non-entity in this profession, I would say that if someone asks for a portion of your manuscript, you provide a portion of the manuscript -- in standard manuscript format. That format seems to be Courier typeface, 10 cpi, 25 lines per page, start each chapter halfway down the page, running header with title, authors' name and pagecount in upper right corner on each page.
If the 50 page point would make an akward break in the action/plot, I'd continue with extra pages to the resolution of that scene.
The general idea here is that the Agent is a professional, and you need to look just as professional in return. This is hopefully the beginning of a business relationship.

YMMV.

[maestrowork]

Start the first chapter halfway down the page and subsequent chapters?

When an agent wants only the first five, ten or fifty pages it seems like a waste of space.
What do you do?


Margins, double-spacing, headers, fixed 12pt fonts... they're all waste of space.

Stick with the standard format. Don't give the agent any reason to reject you.

[stormie]

The agent wants to know that you know how to properly format a manuscript.

[Branwyn]

Thanks. Just wanted confirmation, I was told by an agent not to start halfway
down the page so I got a bit confused. I suppose that was their preference.

[Jamesaritchie]

Thanks. Just wanted confirmation, I was told by an agent not to start halfway
down the page so I got a bit confused. I suppose that was their preference.

Whoever that agent is, avoid him. Whatever preference an agent has, editors at publishing houses all want chapters started halfway down the page.

[Branwyn]

Will do...thanks.