Partial requests

*RomanceWriter* · Oct 20, 2009

How long do you wait before sending in a partial request (first 3 chapters)?
I'd like to do more editing and reread countless times before sending it. Do editors expect it immediately or within what time frame?
Thanks

SarahMacManus · Oct 20, 2009

It should be ready before you even query. My advice is to send it out within three days. Work fast.

Wayne K · Oct 20, 2009

An agent expects the book to be done when you query from what I hear. I would say send it soon.

ETA: I need to get faster at this.

Phaeal · Oct 20, 2009

As above. Don't query until you're ready to submit a full, let alone a partial. You need to project that level of professionalism when dealing with the professionals.

If your novel has already been through several drafts, you're probably just succumbing to subbing jitters. A piece can always be improved, unto the end of time. But nobody has unto the end of time. Give the three chapters a last quick check for typos and formatting, then send them out.

If you really did query too soon, well. You could try to do a marathon editing job on those three chapters. I wouldn't let the marathon go beyond a week, though.

Red-Green · Oct 20, 2009

I never waited longer than a day on a partial, for this reason: if the query caught the agent's eye and you send the partial immediately, there's a good chance it'll get looked at immediately.

Wayne K · Oct 20, 2009

I'd like to add that I was asked for a partial which I had ready. I sent it, and within a few hours she asked for a full that I wanted to go over before I submitted. I asked for a week to polish it and she passed because it wasn't ready.

Get busy.

YAwriter72 · Oct 20, 2009

I had three full requests off of partial request the same day I sent the partials!! (Within a week of sending query)

Sometimes we don't have as much time as we think based off others experiences. Edit like the wind and then make sure your full is polished ASAP!

*RomanceWriter* · Oct 20, 2009

Oh, the full is ready! I've gone through it a million times but now that I have a request I'm nervous and feel like dissecting it again.
I printed off the first 3 chapters and will go through them a few times, but try not to go crazy. I'll probably send it today, tomorrow at the latest.

*RomanceWriter* · Oct 20, 2009

YAwriter72 said:
I had three full requests off of partial request the same day I sent the partials!! (Within a week of sending query)

Sometimes we don't have as much time as we think based off others experiences. Edit like the wind and then make sure your full is polished ASAP!

Crap! As soon as I send the partial I'll get right down to going through the full again. Thanks

Wayne K · Oct 20, 2009

*RomanceWriter* said:
Oh, the full is ready! I've gone through it a million times but now that I have a request I'm nervous and feel like dissecting it again.
I printed off the first 3 chapters and will go through them a few times, but try not to go crazy. I'll probably send it today, tomorrow at the latest.

Jitters? Eh, that's normal. Congrats on the request BTW.

Madison · Oct 20, 2009

Don't dissect it if you've gone through it a million times already! You might end up editing the life out of the first three chapters in your haste. Trust your last edits and just send it off, IMO.

scope · Oct 20, 2009

Obviously it makes no sense to query before you have a pristine manuscript

I understand you nervousness, and if you want to take a day or two before sending, okay -- but no more. Your work's fresh in the editor's mind, don't lose that edge or the opportunity.

Libbie · Oct 20, 2009

Yeah, it makes no sense to query before the ms is pristine, but we all do it anyway, right? I mean, we can edit the hell out of it, but as soon as you get a request you're going to start...wondering.

For my partial, I sent it within 24 hours of getting the request, but I will admit to two frantic read-throughs of the requested material. I didn't end up changing a thing, as far as I can recall.

With my full request, I took three days to go over it obsessively while Lori and Scarlet yelled at me to stop obsessing and send it. I'm actually glad I did go through it, as I was able to make some changes I remembered wanting but somehow didn't do during my last "official edit."

I think it's always good to send it as quickly as you can. Be professional. Promptness is professionalism!

Raphee · Oct 22, 2009

Be ready to send off immediately. Your MS must be final when you query.

Writers are always blaming agents for their slow response time; make sure agents can't say the same about you.
And they are the gatekeepers, remember.

Birol · Oct 23, 2009

Wait? What is this waiting of which you speak?

Capes&Corsets · Oct 24, 2009

Send it straight away. I know that you're supposed to have a perfect, polished manuscript, but the majority of people I know are guilty of going back over the manuscript and making more edits later on. Personally, I'd say check the initial chapters over and send the partial, you can then work on perfecting the rest of it.

Partial requests

RomanceWriter

New kid, be gentle!

SarahMacManus

Wayne K

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

Red-Green

KoalaKoalaKoala!

Wayne K

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

RomanceWriter

New kid, be gentle!

RomanceWriter

New kid, be gentle!

Wayne K

Madison

summertime...

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Raphee

In debt to AW

Birol

Around and About

Capes&Corsets

Exceptional ass-kickery...served.