What do you do if page 50 ends in the middle of a sentence? Do you give them page 51, or let them wonder what they're missing?
When an agent wants 50 pages...
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I've heard people say to cut it off at the nearest end of chapter. Like, if page 40 is the end of a chapter, and page 55 is the end of the next one, then send them 55 pages. I'm not endorsing this, as it might be overstepping some rules.
Also, and this might affect where page 50 ends, I've been told to start each new chapter on a new page, regardless of how many lines are left blank on the page before it. It seemed like sound advice, and IMO seems a bit more professional.
ETA: And don't forget the double-spacing.
Also, and this might affect where page 50 ends, I've been told to start each new chapter on a new page, regardless of how many lines are left blank on the page before it. It seemed like sound advice, and IMO seems a bit more professional.
ETA: And don't forget the double-spacing.
Most of them say to cut it off at the nearest logical spot.
Here is a request I received for a partial from an agent at a major agency, and you'll notice the wording:
I would like to consider your project, if it is still available. If it is, please email me with a Word attachment of the first 50 or so pages of the manuscript—wherever it breaks most cleanly (this is preferable).
If you have a chapter break or scene break within a page or two of the 50 page mark, I'd cut it off there.
Here is a request I received for a partial from an agent at a major agency, and you'll notice the wording:
I would like to consider your project, if it is still available. If it is, please email me with a Word attachment of the first 50 or so pages of the manuscript—wherever it breaks most cleanly (this is preferable).
If you have a chapter break or scene break within a page or two of the 50 page mark, I'd cut it off there.
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I've heard people say to cut it off at the nearest end of chapter. Like, if page 40 is the end of a chapter, and page 55 is the end of the next one, then send them 55 pages. I'm not endorsing this, as it might be overstepping some rules.
Also, and this might affect where page 50 ends, I've been told to start each new chapter on a new page, regardless of how many lines are left blank on the page before it. It seemed like sound advice, and IMO seems a bit more professional.
ETA: And don't forget the double-spacing.
I've heard this as well. I think it's seen as a rough estimate and if you seen 53 or 48 chances are no one will complain.
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I've repeatedly heard editors say that if the next logical break is within a few pages, send the extra pages. Fifteen pages, for example, isn't a 'few', while three or four is, so use common sense.
I had this issue. The chapter ended on page 51, so I send that page along with the other 50.
If no chapters end anywhere near it, I just cut off at the most logical paragraph. (Hopefully something that makes the reader go, "No, I want more!") But as others said to me, if the agent reads to page 50, then odds are he/she already wants to see more anyway.
Good luck!
If no chapters end anywhere near it, I just cut off at the most logical paragraph. (Hopefully something that makes the reader go, "No, I want more!") But as others said to me, if the agent reads to page 50, then odds are he/she already wants to see more anyway.
Good luck!
Paul
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Common courtesy says you should stay close to the 50 page request, so I wouldn't go more than a page or so over. Most decisions on a partial (both positive and negative) likely will be made long before the reader gets to page 50, and another ten won't matter. On the other hand, you just may get a reader who gets pissed at those ten extra pages and tosses the manuscript, unread, into the slush because the author can't follow directions.
Thanks for the input, and thank you to Albannach for including an example. So far page 50 is the beginning point after a line break, so that's cool.
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I agree with those who said to send however many pages gets you to the nearest logical break, whether that be a little under or a little over 50. I've done so many times and never had anyone toss the ms because I didn't send exactly 50. Not sure I'd want an agent who is that persnickety anyway.
Beth
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If the sentence ends on page 51, send the 51 pages. I highly doubt any agent will reject for that reason alone. I've yet to read any agent complain that someone sent them one extra page.
Submitting Partial Requests
If a chapter ends within five pages or so then it's okay to submit the 50 requested pages.
If a chapter ends within five pages or so then it's okay to submit the 50 requested pages.
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This continues to perplex me. I don't get why somebody would ask for only a portion of an electronic document. It has no physical existence so why wouldn't they just ask for it all at once?
That seems weird to me. Though you may be right. After all, they don't have to read the extra pages. But if your manuscript finds someone particularly picky... uh-oh. So yeah, keep it close to the 50 mark, and perhaps give a brief explanation why it is over or under.
I'm pretty sure it's because they've got a LOT of manuscripts to consider. Besides, if a reader isn't hooked in the first 50 pages, they're just not going to get into it enough to keep reading.
Why send more than they've told you they have the time to read?
They ask for fifty pages partly as a test to see if you can follow guidelines. If not...chances are you won't stick to the more important ones.
Adrian Monk would. And when it comes to editing, I'm like Adrian Monk. I very much dislike inattention to detail. Even worse, if I were an agent deciding on a potential client, I would very very very much dislike being gamed. Given that manuscript pagination via computer is automatic, the only way you number page 27 twice is by conscious effort. If I noted that, it would seriously piss me off. Better if you send 51 pages.
But, really, the agent wants to see enough material to establish that you can carry on a story with adequate skill and energy. The agent isn't interested that you finish the submitted material at some natural break. If the 50 pages is good enough, there will be a request for a full manuscript.
caw
I agree with avoiding gaming. However, on the place to break, maybe some don't care if you stop in a natural break, but, from the email I quoted, it looks like some do.
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I'd sure like to know, where that information came from,as you aren't the first person to say that. That is to say, it's a test. I don't think it is. I think they are giving a limit to what they can read and feel 50 ought to be enough.
If it were me, I would however, keep it to 50 even if that means ending it half way down the page if that's where it makes sense to make a break. I just feel that's courteous.
I can't remember if it was on the BookEnds blog or Kristin Nelson's blog, but I do recall one agent giving her reason for asking for electronic partials. It didn't have anything to do with testing the writer (although, as others have said, writers who can't follow simple directions are easy enough for the agent to weed out).
Rather, it has more to do with the expectations a writer has from an agent who requests a full manuscript. Often a writer will expect some sort of feedback or explanation as to why an agent is passing on a requested full--less so when it's just fifty pages. If an agent requests a full simply because it's electronic and easier to just ask for the whole thing, but only manages to read the first thirty pages, are they going to offer feedback? Not likely. It'll be a form rejection. And I've seen people moan and complain about getting form rejections on a full manuscript. It does sting, but if an agent couldn't finish reading the manuscript, they can't offer you constructive feedback.
Even with electronic files, it makes perfect sense for an agent to still request partial material. They can sample the writing and the story, and if they like it, they'll ask for more.
Most agents make it quite plain what they want: synopsis, CV, and sample material, that sample material can be either the first two or three chapters, or the first 50 pages.
It is a test, they want disciplined authors, they’re easier to work with. If someone believes that their writing can’t be assessed without page 51, they’re likely to have other strange ideas about the whole process.
It is a test, they want disciplined authors, they’re easier to work with. If someone believes that their writing can’t be assessed without page 51, they’re likely to have other strange ideas about the whole process.
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