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I really hate it when people post a link and don't give you a clue what it is about, but force you to click on it to find out if you are actually interested.
Tish Davidson said:
well it's on the writing board--the link says advice--so... writing + advice= an article on advice for writers.
Nobody forced you to do anything.
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Baywitch said:
It's about time an agent posted this in her advice:
For novels or memoirs, in addition to a synopsis, you should include a five page excerpt of your work along with your cover letter to agents.
I've never told new writers to include five pages, but I have frequently said two or three pages. So many new writers lose their shot because they submit only a cover letter and synopsis.
No one alive can tell how well you can or can't write fiction from reading a cover letter and synopsis. The only way an agent or editor can know how well you actually write is to read some of yoour writing, so give them a chance to see how beautifully you can write an opening. If the opening leaves them wanting more, you will be asked for the complete manuscript.
Many new writers may be great at writing fiction, but lousy at writing a synopsis. Even a great first page from your novel can make all the difference.
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I agree with James. I can't recall the page I read just recently, but an agent's secretary mentioned that sending the first few pages is sometimes an unsaid thing. The agent really needs to see how you write.
What if you write a bang-up-knock-em-around synopsis, but your prose wretched otherwise?
Or the other way around...
What if you write a bang-up-knock-em-around synopsis, but your prose wretched otherwise?
Or the other way around...
Thanks for sharing Baywitch! 
I've been focusing on appearing professional & following guidelines to the letter (where have I heard that before??) but it hasn't produced a lot of positive results. I love the "5-pages" idea -- my query & synopsis writing hasn't caught up with the rest of my skills yet.
Think I'll try it, nothing to lose except postage.
I've been focusing on appearing professional & following guidelines to the letter (where have I heard that before??) but it hasn't produced a lot of positive results. I love the "5-pages" idea -- my query & synopsis writing hasn't caught up with the rest of my skills yet.
Think I'll try it, nothing to lose except postage.
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Imagine that...5 pages could possibly push you over the top. I wonder how many rejections I've received that would have been otherwise had I just inserted a few pages of my work.
Now I'm completely confused. I've read time and time again that when sending out query letters, you should NOT include any portion of your manuscript unless they ask for it.
?????
Cheryll
?????
Cheryll
But how many times have you thought - never mind the Query letter or synopsis, if they could only see how I write, it might make a difference?
Nothing to lose as far as I can see by sending an extra page or two.
Nothing to lose as far as I can see by sending an extra page or two.
Cheryll said:
Miss Snark is pretty adamant about this, too. Says that the very definition of "query letter" is "letter + 5 pages". Or should be.
Okay, so now everyone knows to send five pages with the query. My question: Does it have to be the very first five pages? Maybe it's a stupid question. I've seen it phrased as 'the first few pages' and 'a five page excerpt.' Is it just understood that the excerpt is the opening passage?
Pages
I'm not sure what someone means by "excerpt," but the first five pages of your novel are far and away the most critical. These are the ones that will either hook and agent/editor, or make them say "No, thanks." I doubt five pages from any other part of the novel would do any good because they wouldn't be in context.
The opening of the novel pretty much lets an agent know a ton of things about your and your writing than no other pages from the novel can do.
Write five opening pages that are good enough, and the agent will want to see the rest of the manuscript. I'd say always send the first five pages, no exceptions. If you don't, the agent won't be able to tell how well you can hook a reader, and will, at best, wonder why you didn't send the first five.
Prosthetic Foreheads said:
I'm not sure what someone means by "excerpt," but the first five pages of your novel are far and away the most critical. These are the ones that will either hook and agent/editor, or make them say "No, thanks." I doubt five pages from any other part of the novel would do any good because they wouldn't be in context.
The opening of the novel pretty much lets an agent know a ton of things about your and your writing than no other pages from the novel can do.
Write five opening pages that are good enough, and the agent will want to see the rest of the manuscript. I'd say always send the first five pages, no exceptions. If you don't, the agent won't be able to tell how well you can hook a reader, and will, at best, wonder why you didn't send the first five.
Going back to the linked article, what do ya'll think about the books recommended therein? Of that list, I've only ever read Bird by Bird and King's On Writing. The rest... anyone care to opine?
Forgive my ignorance, but I'm assuming that if you send in a 5-page sample along with your query letter, you send it all in a large envelope (?) You wouldn't want your manuscript folded up in a regular mailing envelope, am I correct?
**Wondering how quickly those larger envelopes will get thrown onto the agent's slush pile**
Would the rule of thumb be to go ahead and send in a sample with my query letter UNLESS the agent's website specifies not to do so?
Cheryll
**Wondering how quickly those larger envelopes will get thrown onto the agent's slush pile**
Would the rule of thumb be to go ahead and send in a sample with my query letter UNLESS the agent's website specifies not to do so?
Cheryll
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Prosthetic Foreheads said:
Every agent I've ever seen answer this question has said that yes, it must be the first five pages. If you can't draw them in with the first five pages it doesn't matter how good the rest of the book is. So make sure that your beginning is as compelling as the rest. =)
envelope
I suppose you could use a larger envelope, but six pages fits into a #10 without any trouble, and that's how I'd send it.
And in all honesty, everything that comes in from someone you don't know is considered slush. But I'd send a #10 because it's easier, and more convenient for all concerned.
Cheryll said:
I suppose you could use a larger envelope, but six pages fits into a #10 without any trouble, and that's how I'd send it.
And in all honesty, everything that comes in from someone you don't know is considered slush. But I'd send a #10 because it's easier, and more convenient for all concerned.
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