Writing samples

It depends. Who is doing the reading? Why? What I would send to an agent seeking representation is different from what I would send a reviewer for an article.

You do whatever an agent or publisher prefers that you do -- and your guess is close, but the details will vary.

Agent requirements I've seen are usually for either the first three chapters or the first fifty pages. I think sending something out of the middle would be unusual.

dawinsor said:

Agent requirements I've seen are usually for either the first three chapters or the first fifty pages. I think sending something out of the middle would be unusual.

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Highly unusual.

There might be a very few agents who ask for a more random sampling of chapters, but 99.99% want the first three chapters or first fifty pages for a partial. From that, they can tell if you can write, and if they're interested in the story.

(But remember, check the guidelines first. Quite often, agents want a query first before--or even if--they look at any partials. Sometimes you can send the first five pages with a query, but even then, double-check the guidelines.)

First three chapters or first fifty pages is the standard I always read about. In a partial, I expect the agent is going to read the first page or two to decide whether you can write. If you pass this test and haven't bored the agent yet, he might read on. If he reads through all three chapters or fifty pages, you're probably ahead of the game.

Usually it's the first three chapters or X number of pages. Always from the top, not random, not your strongest chapters, not the ending, or page 167.

And yes, usually include a synopsis.

My method is probably different than most, and some may disagree, but I do a two step process. First I send the query and synopsis that I've shined till I know no one can stop reading till they get to the end. Then, if someone likes it enough to ask for more, I send what they ask for. I know that goes against the general mode, but I elected this method after my first 100 rejections that resulted in me wasting an acre of trees sending 3 chapters that were never read.

After a ton of rejections, with nothing but form letters, I decided that if I didn't get em with the Q and S, it was a waste to cut down trees and pay for postage that was never read. If they did like it, then they would be willing to email a request for additional material.

Once I started this two step process, I started noticing actual personal letters responding with hand written inserts like, "Great story, not our genre, but if you ever do a pure suspense, send directly to",. The tone changed completely. It was shortly after that I got my first two acceptance letters.

I'm sure many will disagree with this approach since it goes against what agents/pubs have on their website, but if they really like the Q/S doesn't it make sense they would email you for more.

At least that's my approach, and it has worked for me. Of course, if they accept email submissions, go for it, because you haven't wasted anything.

I'm still lost back up there with Kryianna. The original post never specified who the recipient was, other than "reviewer." It could be a friend, an agent, a publisher, the judge of a juried writer's workshop, a beta reader, a reviewer of self-published novels...

Normally I'd say, send what the person specifies, because in most cases, there will be instructions. Maybe more details about who this person is and/or why they haven't given instructions would be useful.

Take the publishers' or agents' guidelines. Follow them to the letter.

(And if they ask for three chapters and an outline, that's chapters one, two, three, not chapters fifteen, eighteen, and twenty-two, even if those chapters are Really Really Good.)