Question for agents or published writers...?

Starbrazer · May 18, 2006

If an agent requests a partial manuscript, how many pages do I send?

Kasey Mackenzie · May 18, 2006

Generally they specify what they want, and it is typically the first 3 chapters or first 50 pages. I've also seen some request just the first 30 pages. If the agent didn't specify I'd probably go with the first 3 chapters as long as that was only 50-60 pages.

jchines · May 18, 2006

I'd go roughly 50 pages, but end it on a chapter break. (Ie, don't do exactly 50 pages and cut things off in mid-sentence.) This is assuming the agent's guidelines don't specify something else.

Kasey -- Baby Zack is too cute for words!

Starbrazer · May 18, 2006

Thanks guys; I just hope that the agent I queried requests a partial. The anticipation is about to kill me! According to their guidelines they respond in two weeks, but you know how that goes...

jchines · May 18, 2006

Good luck! If the suspense gets too bad, you can always distract yourself by sending queries to the next half-dozen agents on your list

maestrowork · May 18, 2006

They should tell you in their request, or you can check out the submission guidelines. It can be first 10 or 50 pages, or 75 pages. Or it could be the first 3 chapters, or 10. When in doubt, ask.

BeeBomb · May 19, 2006

If any of you or none of you have read Jenna Glatzer's (with Daniel Steven) article, Testing the AGENT WATERS, in this month's WRITERS DIGEST, you need to pick up a copy. The article is wonderful and goes into detail about: Writer's dream, Fees, Poor writing and speaking skills (about the agent's lack-there-of,) Lack of credits (agent's,) Referrals to editing services, General incompetence, Mailing addresses, Websites and e-mail, and Total picture.

The article is excerpted from The Street-Smart Writer with permission of Nomad Press, a division of Nomad Communications. Both Jenna and Daniel spell it out in black and white. It is super good and I give two thumbs...why, 'eck...two hands up for a well written article.

Bee (Joyce)

DeadlyAccurate · May 19, 2006

If they don't say, and you can't find the info anywhere, you'd probably be safe in going with the first three chapters. Most likely they'll say, though.

Starbrazer · May 19, 2006

BeeBomb said:
If any of you or none of you have read Jenna Glatzer's (with Daniel Steven) article, Testing the AGENT WATERS, in this month's WRITERS DIGEST, you need to pick up a copy. The article is wonderful and goes into detail about: Writer's dream, Fees, Poor writing and speaking skills (about the agent's lack-there-of,) Lack of credits (agent's,) Referrals to editing services, General incompetence, Mailing addresses, Websites and e-mail, and Total picture.

The article is excerpted from The Street-Smart Writer with permission of Nomad Press, a division of Nomad Communications. Both Jenna and Daniel spell it out in black and white. It is super good and I give two thumbs...why, 'eck...two hands up for a well written article.

Bee (Joyce)

I read that article; it was really informative I thought, and well written. Two thumbs up here likewise!

Starbrazer · May 19, 2006

jchines said:
Good luck! If the suspense gets too bad, you can always distract yourself by sending queries to the next half-dozen agents on your list

I have queried one so far, but that's because I have a passion for this agency. If they reject me then I will send out simultaneous queries; probably ten or so to begin with, and then ten the next month until I get a positive response. You know, I craft my query according to the agent I am querying and I always do my research: if they have books I buy them, if they have websites I read them, etc. The key to writing a good query is to appeal to that particular agent, and in order to do that you must know what books she has on her track record. It can be complex, but I love doing the research; I find it rather adventuresome. Thanks for the answers guys; there are a lot of super intelligent people in this community and I love that also, because I can finally get the answers my friends could not give me.

Starbrazer · May 19, 2006

maestrowork said:
They should tell you in their request, or you can check out the submission guidelines. It can be first 10 or 50 pages, or 75 pages. Or it could be the first 3 chapters, or 10. When in doubt, ask.

Listen to this man's advice; he know's what he is talking about. Thanks Maestrowork, which always makes me think: Master at Work, I don't know why...

Question for agents or published writers...?

Starbrazer

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

jchines

Got the hang of it, here

Starbrazer

jchines

Got the hang of it, here

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

BeeBomb

DeadlyAccurate

Absolutely Fazed

Starbrazer

Starbrazer

Starbrazer