Please, does anyone know if, when literary agents and publishers ask for something like "...three sample chapters (50 pages or fewer)...", it means as single-spaced text (as in my main master copy) or as the agent / publisher would prefer to read it (typically 1.5- or double-spaced)? The reason I ask is that, if it means fifty pages of your single-spaced text, then however you present your text to them (i.e. single-, 1.5- or double-spaced) it is still fifty pages worth of work; however, if they mean fifty pages once you've converted your single-spaced text to 1.5- or double-spaced text, you get to showcase less and less of your work.
Thank you, Damien, David and Dor.
When agents specify a page count, they mean X number of standard MS formatted (Times New Roman, 12pt, Double Spaced, 1 Inch margins) pages.
Don't worry about showcasing less of your work - the whole thing will only be read if they like it, so sending twice as much would achieve nothing.
If you feel the specified sample size is too small to hook an agent, you have an MS problem.
I think that there may be two ways to look at this.
1. If I am not going to gain interest in 50 pages of double spacing will I gain any more interest in twice as much?
2. It might be appropriate to ask. If there is a response it might tell you a lot about the person/organistaion that you have been thinking about submitting the work to.
David