I just have some really strong chapters near the end, writing that (I think, I hope...) is really powerful. A childbirth scene that makes me cry when I read it--and I do not normally cry at my own writing! That's a big deal! I'd love to get that into the first 50 pages for the editors to see because I think it could be what sells the book. But that means lots of chopping.
Still mulling...
I'm also considering just cutting out the first part of the book, dropping it entirely and starting more in the middle of the story. On a first book, you really have to wade through where the true start of the story is and figure out what was really prewriting that should be pruned.
I'm trying to be ruthless, for the good of the novel!
