Stupid question time -

Why do new chapters have to start halfway down the page?

Kat x

I'd love to know too...

Emma

Aww Emma, thought you might have been able to answer that one!

I do know it as a criterion for journalism, although why it should be so I've no idea. Maybe they want the top half for scribbling instructions for the typesetter, in the old pre-electronic days?

But I don't think it matters for submitting MS to publishers and agents - just seems like a waste of paper to me.

Emma

Yes exactly and it just doesn't look right!

It's space for the Agent to doodle when they're bored.

<Added>

Or,

Space for oyu to write the secret code, in invisible UV ink, which opens the portal to guaranteed publishing success.

Gawd, I have never heard this before...sorry to be such an ignoramous, but what do people mean exactly about chapters starting halfway down a page? I've never written a piece of journalism that way either..