Dilemma over what to send to agent

cooeedownunder · Sep 29, 2010

I didn't know where to put this, so thought I'd put it where half my friends hang out here.

I wasn't expecting a response from agents, LOL, but well now I have a delima as an agent has just requested a full.

I don't know whether to submit my first chapter now, well that probably sounds odd, and I know there is only a couple of people here who have read that very first last added chapter - but well it is equally hated or loved by readers.

Sigh, I really don't know what to do

I should have thought this query stuff through more.

CheyElizabeth · Sep 29, 2010

I'm not sure I understand.. you don't want to send it because some people hate and some people love your first chapter?

You have an agent request, why don't you send the manuscript and let the agent decide?

Steam&Ink · Sep 29, 2010

Cooee, first of all congratulations on your full request!

Second, did the agent read a partial first? If so, I would send the full ms with the same content as the original partial. If you send her a full which has a different first chapter from the one she read, it might be confusing/irritating. (who knows, it might have been the old first chapter which hooked her!)

If she reps you, then you can discuss the new chapter with her.

^^ all this is based on the assumption that she already has the first three chapters or first few pages.

xxx

cooeedownunder · Sep 29, 2010

CheyElizabeth, Yep that's right. Some hate it and some love it, and I guess I think if she hates it, she won't read the next chapter. But I see she could hate my second chapter and not read the third.

And also, my first paragraph has a comma issue possibly. LOL I'm sure that doesn't make sense either.

Steam - Nope, read nothing yet. Just a query although my query starts from the second chapter, well that again probably doesn't make sense. There is a gap of ten years between my first chapter and second as well as two different locations in each. First starts in Australia 1804 and is from Isabel's mother's pov, and second chapter starts London in 1814 and all the rest are from Isabel's pov

cooeedownunder · Sep 29, 2010

Ah, email from beta reader said that perhaps I could mention when I send it, that beta readers hate or love that first chapter and I left it as is?

leahzero · Sep 29, 2010

cooeedownunder said:
Ah, email from beta reader said that perhaps I could mention when I send it, that beta readers hate or love that first chapter and I left it as is?

No, don't mention that. The agent will make up her own mind, and it may put you in an unflattering light.

I think you should polish up your first chapter, run it past some fresh eyes, and send the MS off.

pdr · Sep 29, 2010

Ah!

Poor cooee, welcome to query hell!

As I understand it you've sent a query letter without any part of the manuscript? And now s/he wants the full script?

Might I offer a solution? Call your difficult, different POV ch 1 the Prologue, then make chapter two your chapter one with Isabel in 1814. Prologues are often disposed of, agents are used to them being disposable and it won't put hir off when the POV changes for the rest of the novel and it's more in fitting with your novel isn't it as the rest of the chapters are Isabel's POV?

All the best! I hope s/he's the agent you want and s/he likes your novel enough to offer a contract.

Fingers and toes crossed for you.

cooeedownunder · Sep 29, 2010

Oh, I've been up and down and around and about with the prolougue thing. But you might be right, as most of the readers refer to it as The Prologue.

I should probably be more worried about a synopsis. I haven't written one yet LOL and need a short one.

cooeedownunder · Sep 29, 2010

Lucky I never needed to say 'delima' in my query

cherubsmummy · Sep 29, 2010

No advice here, but I am delurking to wish you the very best!

firedrake · Sep 29, 2010

ooooh!! Coooeee!!

Send it, as PDR suggested.

Good luck!

pdr · Sep 30, 2010

You might...

like to look at steampunkette's synopsis. Your novel is like hers mainly a romance isn't it?

All the help I can offer is to suggest that you really know what your story is about and whose story it is. Then get several experienced writers who don't know your novel to read it and see if it is clear and in voice.

Took me days to get my short (500) synopsis knocked into shape and I had some excellent help.

cooeedownunder · Sep 30, 2010

firedrake said:
ooooh!! Coooeee!!

Send it, as PDR suggested.

Good luck!

Ah, as one out of ah, more than I said, you thoughts are appreciated.

:Hug2:

Steam&Ink · Sep 30, 2010

I do think pdr's advice is probably the way to go in terms of calling the first chapter a "Prologue".

pdr said:
...like to look at steampunkette's synopsis.

Hmmm, I only recall posting one synopsis a couple of years ago, and I remember it being not very good (very early attempt). I do have a more recent synopsis I wrote for Unseemly Conduct, but that is a mystery first and foremost, while yours is an historical saga. I'm not sure how much difference that should make to the "style" of the synopsis... but you are naturally welcome to have a look!

PM me if you want me to send it to you xxx

cooeedownunder · Sep 30, 2010

pdr said:
like to look at steampunkette's synopsis. Your novel is like hers mainly a romance isn't it?

All the help I can offer is to suggest that you really know what your story is about and whose story it is. Then get several experienced writers who don't know your novel to read it and see if it is clear and in voice.

Took me days to get my short (500) synopsis knocked into shape and I had some excellent help.

Mmmm, maybe steampunkett will share her synopsis, but mine isn't a romance nor does it have the same feel of steampunketts quick witted heroin in her mystery.

What is odd, is that I set off to write a romance and thought it was a romance until a year ago, but it doesn't fit the romance genre what so ever in structure or delivery. I don't have one man, I have three in the begining, and the romance most certainly isn't the plot.

Hence, I have a historical with romantic elements, quite strong at moments, and at times driving the plot, although it is not the focus of the story.

cooeedownunder · Sep 30, 2010

I just realised I said a full. I shouldn't be jumping over lounges yet, as it is just a partial. 1st 3 chapters. It must have been wishful thinking on my behalf to have typed full LOL

This whole thing is horrible...and I need a holiday.

Puma · Sep 30, 2010

I was going to echo pdr, but, if the request is for a partial - first three chapters, I'd skip your chapter 1 for now, but mention when you send the partial that there is an optional prologue (you can show it in the synopsis).

I had the same problem quite a while ago and did not include the chapter 1/prologue in submissions and eventually dropped it entirely from the manuscript. Having this dilemna makes you think about the real value of that first chapter - if it has the potential to really turn off an agent, it probably shouldn't be chapter 1. (And I can't remember whether I loved it or hated it - but I think my feeling was that it was a bit out of place or needed more of a tie in to the main part of your story.)

Hope that helps. Puma

lkp · Sep 30, 2010

I wouldn't even mention the prologue at this point. Give her the first three, minus the dicey one you're deciding about. If she likes it, and asks for a full, and you have decided whether you like it, you can give her the whole thing including prologue/ch. 1/whatever you decide to do with it at that time.

cooeedownunder · Oct 1, 2010

Thanks for all the thoughts. Appreciated.

Dilemma over what to send to agent

cooeedownunder

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CheyElizabeth

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Steam&Ink

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