A couple more questions about submissions...

OctoberLee · Dec 24, 2009

1. For the query, is an author bio absolutely necessary? I've seen it said à la bambi - if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Would it be sufficient to say "This is my first novel?" The essay contest I won in middle school probably isn't relavent =D

2. Double-spaced, check. Specific font? This has probably been asked before...

3. The agent wants my "query and sample chapters." That would be the 50 pages/around 15,000 words I'm thinking?

Thanks... I know these questions probably get asked a lot so I really appreciate the feedback. I did use the agentquery info about queries, but I want to make sure I get everything right.

scarletpeaches · Dec 24, 2009

exm said:
1. For the query, is an author bio absolutely necessary? I've seen it said à la bambi - if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Would it be sufficient to say "This is my first novel?" The essay contest I won in middle school probably isn't relavent =D

I never say anything because I don't have a writing history. I don't do short stories or (much) poetry (any more), so...yeah. It all depends on individual agent or publisher requirements whether you can get away with saying absolutely nothing.

exm said:
2. Double-spaced, check. Specific font? This has probably been asked before...

I use 12pt Courier New, with line spacing set to 'Exactly: 27pt' which gives 25 lines per page - with widows/orphans switched off. Might seem a bit weird but in the UK we use A4 size paper, not Letter, so the line spacing takes some readjustment.

Some use Times New Roman. There's not that much in it, but personally I prefer Courier New and it's standard in this country.

exm said:
3. The agent wants my "query and sample chapters." That would be the 50 pages/around 15,000 words I'm thinking?

First three chapters is standard.

Michael Davis · Dec 25, 2009

The critical factor is the "grabability of your query and syllabus. I received over 100 rejection letters and finally asked myself, "if I received 1000 submissions a day, would this would survive the pit of hell". I finally realized the context of the Q/S was wrong and redid the whole thing. I still received rejections, but roughly 20% turned to personal vs form letters and finally I got three acceptance letters within two weeks.

IOW, the nature of the Q/S is everything. Think about the tagline and blurb you would write to get a reader interested in buying your book right off the shelf and include that structure in your package.

Maxinquaye · Dec 25, 2009

exm said:
1. For the query, is an author bio absolutely necessary? I've seen it said à la bambi - if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Would it be sufficient to say "This is my first novel?" The essay contest I won in middle school probably isn't relavent =D

2. Double-spaced, check. Specific font? This has probably been asked before...

3. The agent wants my "query and sample chapters." That would be the 50 pages/around 15,000 words I'm thinking?

Thanks... I know these questions probably get asked a lot so I really appreciate the feedback. I did use the agentquery info about queries, but I want to make sure I get everything right.

1. Unless the bio says something that is relevant to the particular submission, just leave it out. An agent won't be interested if you have best of show for a poodle, or if you have had fifty accepted fan-fic non-fiction articles about Count Dracula when you're submitting a historical novel set in Glasgow.

2. Yeah, double spaced, and courier new 12 pt.

3. Yeah, first 3 chapters is standard. If your chapters are very long, go the first 100 pages, and cut off where it's appropriate. 50 pages is probably too little, since it is manuscript pages.

ChaosTitan · Dec 25, 2009

Don't say it's your first novel. If you're agent hunting without prefacing with "I have X books published by Z," then it's pretty much implied. Saying it makes you look like an amateur.

Toothpaste · Dec 25, 2009

Not to throw a spanner in the works, but the query isn't double spaced. Only the manuscript is. Just so we're clear.

Libbie · Dec 25, 2009

It's okay to say it's your first novel -- a lot of agents are looking for debuts, so they won't be turned off by that -- but as ChaosTitan said, it's implied if you've left out any book-publishing credits, so you don't have to -- and leaving it out can look more professional.

If they want fifty pages, send then the first fifty pages of your manuscript -- end the sample at the end of the last complete paragraph on the fiftieth page. DO include the cover sheet of your ms with the sample pages, but don't count it as Page 1. Give them fifty pages of your fiction.

OctoberLee · Dec 25, 2009

Thanks so much for all of the info!

Glad to hear the author bio isn't an absolute necessity. I would hope my work could speak for itself. If not, I'm pretty sure anything I could say about my lack of experience + love of books/writing would not make up for it.

I'm not too worried about the query because it caught this agent's eye. I am worried about whether the voice in the query really matches the first half of my ms--hopefully it does!

I'm still confused about what to send in. The problem is, this agent doesn't take unsolicited manuscripts, so they don't have submission info on the website of their literary agency. It's YA, so if I did my first 3 chapters that wouldn't even be 50 pages, more like 36 manuscript pages. If I do 50 pages, it cuts off right at the end of my fourth chapter.

Maxinquaye · Dec 25, 2009

Just send the first 3 chapters, if the agent hasn't asked for a specific amount of pages. If the agent has asked for a specific amount of pages, send that.

And congrats!

OctoberLee · Dec 25, 2009

Maxinquaye said:
Just send the first 3 chapters, if the agent hasn't asked for a specific amount of pages. If the agent has asked for a specific amount of pages, send that.

And congrats!

Great, thanks a bunch!! =)

OctoberLee · Dec 27, 2009

I also found some helpful info about this from agent query, in case anyone had my same dilemna:

The Partial First Guideline: Snail Mail: query with first three chapters & SASE

If an agent lists their preference as snail mail with sample pages, they usually specify "first chapter or first 3-5 pages" vs. "first three chapters."

Here's the unspoken rule of this guideline. "First three chapters" = a "partial." Yes, the agent is actually inviting you to submit a partial with your query--right off the bat. And "first three chapters" means give or take. The agent wants you to send your "first 50 pages" give or take a few pages.

So if your chapters are short, send your first 50 pages (or first 55 pages, or even first 60 pages, so long as you end with a chapter break). If your chapters are long and two chapters equals 45 pages, but three chapters equals 85 pages, then only send two chapters (45 pages only).

These "partial first" agents like to see a potential client's writing along with a query, so if you have the option to send a partial first, it baffles us as to why some writers choose NOT to send the partial, but instead send their query only, and usually via email. Really, the purpose of a query is to get an agent to R-E-A-D your writing, right? When an agents says, "snail mail: query with first three chapters & SASE, it's a free offer from these agents to read your partial. Carpe Diem Query & Partial, baby!

(Agent query/ http://www.agentquery.com/psa_obviouslessobvious2.aspx)

Capes&Corsets · Dec 28, 2009

I'm no expert, but I'd say that if you don't have a writing history (that's relevant anyway), just don't mention it. I'm currently submitting my first novel too and also don't have a writing history besides articles in the local press and a few sites which don't really count, so after a brief paragraph about myself, I just say '[TITLE] is my first novel.'

As for sample chapters, it's usually the first three.

Good luck!

OctoberLee · Dec 28, 2009

Capes&Corsets said:
I'm no expert, but I'd say that if you don't have a writing history (that's relevant anyway), just don't mention it. I'm currently submitting my first novel too and also don't have a writing history besides articles in the local press and a few sites which don't really count, so after a brief paragraph about myself, I just say '[TITLE] is my first novel.'

As for sample chapters, it's usually the first three.

Good luck!

Thanks! Everyone's been superhelpful with the nerve wracking bit!

A couple more questions about submissions...

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

scarletpeaches

Michael Davis

Maxinquaye

That cheeky buggerer

ChaosTitan

Around

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

Maxinquaye

That cheeky buggerer

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

Capes&Corsets

Exceptional ass-kickery...served.

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful