Responding to agent's request

[karo.ambrose]

I got my first partial request from an agent today (:snoopy: ), but Snoopy-shaped elation aside, I have a few questions about how to respond to them. Do I need to include a cover letter telling them "Hey, it's me again. You asked for some chapters, so here they are." Or, can I skip the cover letter and just include what they're asking for. They're also asking for a short bio and a 1-page synopsis. Can I include the bio with the synopsis, or should I have a seperate sheet for each? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Novelhistorian]

Whaddaya mean, elation aside? Dance a little!

Once you stop tapping your feet, yes, you do send a cover letter, because it reminds the agent (or the overworked secretary who opens the mail) that your materials were indeed solicited. The cover letter need have nothing more than the sentence it takes to identify you and the ms., but it must have your contact information.

Bio and synopsis are separate and should be on separate pages. Each should have your name and the name of the book; I like to do this in the upper-lefthand corner.

Good luck.

[karo.ambrose]

Thanks Novelhistorian. I appreciate your feedback.

[Momento Mori]

Congratulations on getting this response!

As an additional point on your covering letter, I think it's good practice to refer to the date when the request was made (in case the agent/secretary/PA wants to double check), i.e. "Further to your letter/telephone call/email of [blob date]". That way, they can easily cross check it.

Best of luck!

[Tracy]

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS. Celebrate this, I urge you. It's an achievement all by itself. I believe that getting published is such a long and arduous path that if we leave our celebrating till we're number one in the six countries of our choice - well, it'll be a long wait. So celebrate now, you've come a huge way.

Also, I agree with what the others said, do remind them - and also write the words 'Requested Material' in big letters on the envelope. Them's magic words that get envelopes opened more quickly.

[karo.ambrose]

Thanks everyone. Who should I address the letter to? I sent the query letter to John Q. Agent, but got a response from their 'submissions evaluator'. Do I still address the letter to my original queried agent?

Tracy, or anyone else who can answer my question, where on the envelope do I write 'Requested Material'? Do I write it above the agency's name? Since this is my first time, I want to make sure I get all the details looking somewhat professional.

[Tracy]

I would imagine (but am open to correction if somebody knows better) that you would send it back to the person who requested it.

Also, it doesn't particularly matter where on the envelope you put it, once it's big enough to be noticed and doesn't interfere with the address. Leave off the gold stickers and holographic arrows, though.

[ORION]

Address it to the agent. My initial correspondence was with my agent's assistant. Even though he sent many of the emails - everything I sent in return was labeled:
to: XX Literary Agent XX agency
REQUESTED MATERIAL
ATTEN: XX Assistant

Again as others have said - the cover letter needs to jog their memory - you can repeat your contact info and hook and THANK them for requesting the partial.
On the bio - short and sweet - look on the back flaps of books for ideas -
It is not a resume, no high school graduation dates. If there is something interesting in your life that connects to your book add it. I told my agent about helping crew a 39 ft sailboat across the Pacific just that summer - that intrigued her...especially since she knew I was over 50 and a woman.

Hope this helps

[JanW]

I'd like to bring this thread forward with a different question. One of the publishing houses has asked for a resume/CV. I've prepared a modified one based on my non-writing one, concentrating on professional academic and commissioned work that is non-fiction, creative writing, websites, and papers and conferences. Since I only have one creative writing pub which was poetry published in audio form by the Australian ABC, I've put that second on the category list.

What do you think of that strategy?

If anyone has time to have a look, the blog version is at: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/?page_id=23
The 2 pager I intend to send in my submission package includes my higher education as well and contact details.

Thanks for any comments

[ORION]

When I was querying I sent a very brief (think one paragraph) bio. What you have on your blog is lovely and is more along the lines of what I sent my publisher after they bought my book (when they sent me the author questionnaire sheet.
If you are just querying a publisher this is too much IMHO. Especially if you are writing fiction.
Is this as part of a request for a partial or full?
Even in that case I sent only a short bio. Although I had academic writings and have been working on my doctorate I did not include them because I write fiction.
If you are querying for a non-fiction project it would be different - your credentials are very important in that case.
Hope this helps

http://pkwood.blogspot.com

[UrsusMinor]

I'd like to bring this thread forward with a different question. One of the publishing houses has asked for a resume/CV.

Do you mean they already have your manuscript and are now asking for more info? Or did they ask for a bio along with the manuscript? And did they call it a resume/CV?

If the book in question is fiction, they are usually looking for something more on the order of the 'flap copy'--stuff that says what an interesting, peculiar life you've led.

If the book is non-fiction, they may be looking for something closer to a CV so as to evaluate your "platform" for promotion purposes.

[JanW]

Do you mean they already have your manuscript and are now asking for more info? Or did they ask for a bio along with the manuscript? And did they call it a resume/CV?
This is for a first sub for Hardie Grant in Australia:
"Please send a covering letter, short synopsis, author CV and the first three chapters of your manuscript (or at least 50 pages). We require all submissions to be typed and double-spaced, on A4 paper"


If the book in question is fiction, they are usually looking for something more on the order of the 'flap copy'--stuff that says what an interesting, peculiar life you've led.

If the book is non-fiction, they may be looking for something closer to a CV so as to evaluate your "platform" for promotion purposes.
Thanks to Orion for your response, too. Your point about brevity is a good one.

I interpreted the value at this stage to prove that I can write publishable material and have a record of sorts, which is not always the case with some people who submit things. I'm also fudging just a bit because this is a collaborative work, but I'm submitting my credits because I'm the only one with them; neither of my partners have had the opportunity to write professionally yet. I've hinted at collab in the title page saying by Jan etc with name 1 and name 2, which I've cleared with my co-authors. They realise they are less sellable and I'm the contact for the project with whoever publishes it anyway. This is under a pen name, too, representing the three of us, but I anticipate submitting my own novels shortly as well, so having my pub credits separately listed I feel is good to have ready.

sorry if this was an overly long post!