dumb question about querying

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stace001

stace001

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hi all,

I've been asked by an agent to send her the first 5 chapters of my manuscript. However I'm not sure if I should include the prologue in that. Should I send prologue and chapters 1 - 4, or just chapters 1 - 5?

cheers,
 
Exir

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Depends on how long the prologue is.

If it is fairly long, and the first four chapters can't be understood without the prologue, then you count it as one chapter and send the other four chapters.

If the prologue is short (under one manuscript page), then you could count the prologue as an "add-on" -- or, in other words, send the prologue AND the first five chapter. You can also choose to omit the prologue entirely if you don't think it matters.
 
dpaterso

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Yup, prologue length and how deeply it's interwoven with the main story has to decide this. If it's a standalone that sets things up rather than involves the lead characters directly, I'd skip it and send chapters 1-5.

Should I offer congrats on writing a successful query letter? :)

-Derek
 
stace001

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Thanks for your advice guys. Much appreciated. The prologue is only about 3 manuscript pages, and I guess could be classed as back-story as it tells the reader how the main character (widow) ended up on her own. I think I'll include it with the 5 chapters and see how I go.

dpaterso - thanks for your congratulations. I had just rewritten my query letter (yesterday) and sent it off to my top 3 agents. The first one I sent (to my all-time favourite agent) asked for the first 5 chapters, so I'm pretty pleased. Now I'm hoping my writing will get me through. Fingers crossed.
 
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