sending pages with query

[starbaby017]

So I finally started sending out my query.   
I have taken the first step so that means I did not fail (at least it does in my head)
Anywho, I have stumbled across a few agents that have peeked my interest and they ask for pages to be submitted as well.  What is standard practice here?  Do you double space or single space?  For example: one of them asks for the first 50 pages.  My book is currently double spaced so... does that mean send them 100 of my pages but single space it so that it is 50 pages     ?
Thanks
Oh and this person wants it as a doc. attachment.  I'm sorta positive I can figure out how to do that 

[Tabris]

If the agent wants it as a doc attachment, go ahead and create a new document with the first 50 pages, double-spaced, in manuscript format. Begin with your name, address etc on the first page.  Make sure your email address is in the header of the document so if the manuscript gets separated from your letter, they can find you.

If they ask for the pages to be submitted in the body of the email, I always single-spaced them, did not put tabs, but put a blank line between paragraphs. Kind of the way this is formatted.

The reason for this is that tabs may not come through properly in email and since you don't know how it gets formatted on their end, it's better to go for clarity than manuscript format. Also, if they're reading on their phones, they don't need to see half the screen blank every time.

But the number of pages is still the number of pages in your original document. So if they ask for the first five pages, cut/paste the first five pages, format it correctly, and yes it will look more like 2 1/2 pages, but you're still sending waht they want.

Oh, and make sure it ends at a good point. ;-) I used to send fewer than five pages because my document had a beauuuuuutiful break-point earlier than that, and it's better for the agent to end on "Wow!" than "Oh, okay."   

[Carakasla]

You should send the first 50 pages of your DOUBLE SPACED manuscript.

Not sure how to format your MS? Take a look here: http://navigatingtheslushpile.blogspot.ca/2011/04/formatting-your-ms.html

The only change I would make would be put your page number at the BOTTOM RIGHT HAND SIDE of the page.

Also, how you change your document type is that you go to 'Save As...' and either right above or right below where you put the document name should be a drop down menu where you pick document type.

Also, if you have a separate document for each chapter, you need to merge them into ONE document. You know, in case of full requests.

[starbaby017]

Thank you very much Tabris and Carakasla!
I admit I googled "what is .doc" and figured it out 
I learned my new thing for the day so that means I can go to bed right???

[fictionado]

So I finally started sending out my query.   
I have taken the first step so that means I did not fail (at least it does in my head)
Anywho, I have stumbled across a few agents that have peeked my interest and they ask for pages to be submitted as well.  What is standard practice here?  Do you double space or single space?  For example: one of them asks for the first 50 pages.  My book is currently double spaced so... does that mean send them 100 of my pages but single space it so that it is 50 pages     ?
Thanks
Oh and this person wants it as a doc. attachment.  I'm sorta positive I can figure out how to do that 

Industry standard is 12 point, Times Roman or other conservative font, double spaced!

I've found most agencies will tell you exactly how to format.

Sandy Lu --(forgot the agency) on a full, requests, a two-page synopsis, 12 point font, Times Roman, double-space, paginated upper left corner, author's name and title on the right, she also had border requirements, I also forgot,. All pages were to be attached as one document in Word, and then attached with the author's first name last and then the first name and then manuscript

It took me a while to get a full out because it was very detailed, whereas another agent simply  said to send on the full as an attached document
and to make it doc and not docx.

Others request manuscript in the body of the email or it's an automatic reject.

When you click on save as and  your file name is on that long bar,you will see Word Document. That's actually the default on a drop down box. Just click save and it automatically is  saved as a word document.   

Others request manuscript in the body of the email or it's an automatic reject.

My point is that the format varies according to agent, but you cannot go wrong with industry standard 

Good luck on your subs
   

[MittensMorgul]

One last thing I've heard from agents on formatting submissions is to always check your Document Properties (Under the File heading in your word processor). Just make sure you're listed as the Author and the correct title shows up as the document title. That way when they download submissions on to their kindles, it's not called something like "SubmissiontoXAgent" or "NovelVersion3".

[starbaby017]

Wow!   So much I had no idea about.  Thanks everyone! And karma to you all

[Falen]

I like agents that request pages, because then even if they don't like the query for whatever reason, maybe the sample pages will win them over.

[jeffo20]

One last thing I've heard from agents on formatting submissions is to always check your Document Properties (Under the File heading in your word processor). Just make sure you're listed as the Author and the correct title shows up as the document title. That way when they download submissions on to their kindles, it's not called something like "SubmissiontoXAgent" or "NovelVersion3".

Doh! I just checked the properties of a short story I was working on. It lists the author as my wife, and the title as whatever I originally called it before changing the name. Too bad I saw this AFTER sending out a full......

I'm sure there's a way to change the ownership, etc., in word so it automatically has my name as author. I'll have to dig around for that. Meet my wife, the soon-to-be bestselling author, hah hah.

[MittensMorgul]

yeah, jeffo! Word lists the default "author" of a document as the registered owner of the software! It's not hard to change in the file/properties window. Good luck!

[starbaby017]

Did some digging around on formatting MS's last night and found this and it's very useful.  Maybe you all already know this but, maybe there are a few other technology challenged people here too so... here you go.

press Select+A on your keyboard (or go up to the Edit drop down menu and choose Select All), this should highlight your entire document. Right click somewhere and go to Paragraph. Under the Indents and Spacing Tab, go to Indentation. Set Left and Right at 0". Set Special for First Line (this will make your paragraphs automatically indent), By .5". Don't ever use the TAB key; this will not show up on an e-reader.

Not done yet. Now go to the next section, still fixing Paragraph, labeled Spacing. Before and After should be 0pt, and Line Spacing should be Double (unless you've been told to use something else). This will make your paragraphs evenly spaced. Don't take for granted that your entire ms is properly spaced already, there are always mistakes.

For new chapters, you can press Enter a few times or, to get the new chapter on a new page, press Ctrl+Enter. This will put your chapter on a new page and show up nicely on an e-reader (if you press Enter too many times then it might show up on the e-reader as a blank page before we get to the new chapter--profoundly annoying for some reason). Also, don't put your chapter titles in fancy fonts. It doesn't even need to be in a bigger font.

Found on http://www.navigatingtheslushpile.blogspot.com/