So what happens when you submit a proposal?

Juneluv12 · May 20, 2009

Okay,

Lately, for both my YA and Literary Fiction, I've submitted proposals along with the sample chapters. Here's my question:

So, once they read the sample chapters, your platorm, synopsis, and then chapter summaries, do they request the full manuscript, or do they say, "You suck" or "I'd like to offer representation." How does it go?

I plead ignorance in this area!!!!

ChaosTitan · May 20, 2009

If they're interested, they'll ask for a full.

If not, they'll probably just send a rejection letter.

It's very rare that an agent will offer representation on a proposal, without reading the entire manuscript (but I want to say it has happened, I just can't think of an example).

Palmfrond · May 20, 2009

You sound like you're familiar with non-fiction publishing. Welcome to fiction! Don't query until your novel is done, edited, beta-read, edited, beta-read again, edited again, lather, rinse, repeat, until nothing more could possibly improve it. Then query agents. They will ask for more changes anyway, but don't query them until you've got the best novel you can write.

Juneluv12 · May 21, 2009

Palmfrond said:
You sound like you're familiar with non-fiction publishing. Welcome to fiction! Don't query until your novel is done, edited, beta-read, edited, beta-read again, edited again, lather, rinse, repeat, until nothing more could possibly improve it. Then query agents. They will ask for more changes anyway, but don't query them until you've got the best novel you can write.

Um, no I'm not familiar with non-fiction. The novel is finished, edited, and all. I just wondered what happened once they've read the partial, your synopsis, and a blow by blow in the chapter summaries. I had pretty in depth chapter summaries for both the adult and the YA novel. I didn't know if they would need the see the rest.

Juneluv12 · May 21, 2009

ChaosTitan said:
If they're interested, they'll ask for a full.

If not, they'll probably just send a rejection letter.

It's very rare that an agent will offer representation on a proposal, without reading the entire manuscript (but I want to say it has happened, I just can't think of an example).

Thanks for the information, ChaosTitan. I didn't think they would necessarily offer representation, but I just wondered how the process went.

YAwriter72 · May 21, 2009

Typically. Query, synopsis, first three chapters (Or so), R the partial or request the full, R the full or call to talk!

Juneluv12 · May 21, 2009

Actually, these wanted my target audience, marketing plan, uniqueness, my bio, writing credentials, plus chapter summaries for the entire book.

I would think once they'd read the chapter summaries, which go more in depth than a synopsis, the synopsis, and all, they'd have a good idea that aliens don't show up in Chapter. 42!!!

YAwriter72 · May 21, 2009

Whoa. I didn't talk about any of that until after I signed! Hopefully that means your close!

So what happens when you submit a proposal?

Juneluv12

Steel Magnolia & Snarky Pants

ChaosTitan

Around

Palmfrond

cereal killer

Juneluv12

Steel Magnolia & Snarky Pants

Juneluv12

Steel Magnolia & Snarky Pants

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

Juneluv12

Steel Magnolia & Snarky Pants

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride