'nother question about what to send to agents....

mirrorkisses · Jul 4, 2008

If an agent requested something, should I just send that?

The title is misleading, but I didn't have enough space to write the whole question.

So an agent verbally requested 20 pages + synopsis. On the website it also says an author bio. Should I just send what the agent asked for, or send an author bio with it?

steveg144 · Jul 4, 2008

mirrorkisses said:
The title is misleading, but I didn't have enough space to write the whole question.

So an agent verbally requested 20 pages + synopsis. On the website it also says an author bio. Should I just send what the agent asked for, or send an author bio with it?

If you have a bio that includes publication credits, then send a bio. If your bio is just "I was born in the usual manner in the small hamlet of ..." and you do not have any pub credits, I wouldn't send one.

Appalachian Writer · Jul 4, 2008

I'd just send what the agent asked for, no more and no less. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this leads to a full request.

mirrorkisses · Jul 4, 2008

Appalachian Writer said:
I'll keep my fingers crossed that this leads to a full request.

Thanks. I'm totally nervous about it.

scope · Jul 4, 2008

Send a bio only if you have publishing credits. If not, ignore.

Clair Dickson · Jul 4, 2008

I'd also include a short note explaining that they requested the materials. A reminder. With all the stuff they get, they can use all the help we can give them. It'd be in email if your emailing or a short letter if you're mailing it. Don't want them to pitch it because they (temporarily) forgot they asked you for it.

In my opinion. But then, I'm also pretty forgetful.

dawinsor · Jul 4, 2008

You can't go wrong sending what they asked for, IMHO.

mirrorkisses · Jul 4, 2008

uh. please delete this, i figured out the answer!

Karen Duvall · Jul 4, 2008

Start your letter saying the two of you met at such and such and she/he requested the enclosed materials. Then go on to make it a proper query letter. In the next paragraph you offer a brief hook to remind him/her what the story is about, then write a closing paragraph saying an SASE is enclosed and you look forward to hearing from him/her. Voila! Easy-peasy.

ETA: Also let the agent know the entire manuscript is available on request. Agents don't like to be queried on unfinished projects.

mirrorkisses · Jul 4, 2008

If she requested a partial, why would I query her? I already pitched it to her. Also, my manuscript has to be revised (due to some things we talked about). So, it isn't done technically, but this was already discussed with her when I pitched the novel, so she is aware.

Karen Duvall · Jul 4, 2008

mirrorkisses said:
If she requested a partial, why would I query her? I already pitched it to her. Also, my manuscript has to be revised (due to some things we talked about). So, it isn't done technically, but this was already discussed with her when I pitched the novel, so she is aware.

Because she won't remember you or the project. It's more like a cover letter, but the same info is needed that you'd include in a query. It's just the courteous and professional way to do things. Agents often grumble about receiving stuff in the mail with a note that says: We met at such and so and you asked for this so here it is. Time's passed, they've read a gazillion queries or heard as many pitches since then, and it's all become a blur.

mirrorkisses · Jul 4, 2008

Oh, yes I planned on telling her who I was and what the story was about. I thought you meant an actual query letter.

Soccer Mom · Jul 4, 2008

I'll just merge this one into the other.

mirrorkisses · Jul 5, 2008

thanks!

'nother question about what to send to agents....

mirrorkisses

steveg144

Crusty Polemicist

Appalachian Writer

Somewhere in the hills....

mirrorkisses

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Clair Dickson

A dark core to every cloud

dawinsor

Dorothy A. Winsor

mirrorkisses

Karen Duvall

Chalice the Hatchet Knight

mirrorkisses

Karen Duvall

Chalice the Hatchet Knight

mirrorkisses

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

mirrorkisses