what does 'full manuscript mean'?

Shara

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #1

This is a theoretical question because it hasn't happened yet. But it's been bothering me for when it does.

Most of the UK agents I want to send my manuscript to ask for the first 3 chapters and a synopsis. No problem, this is what I have to send.

When someone asks for a full manuscript, does this mean from chapter 4 onwards, because they've already read the first 3 chapters? Or should the entire manuscript be sent anyway, including the pages that have already been sent?

Can anyone advise?

Shara

 

Birol

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #2

Send the full manuscript, from page 1 to The End.

 

Last edited: Feb 27, 2007

Siddow

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #3

Miss Snark covered this on her blog a while back, and she explained that she wants the entire manuscript on a full because it's too much trouble to try to find the original first chapters to match up with the remaining manuscript.

 

Maprilynne

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #4

Don't take the risk that they can't find the first three chapters; send the whole darn thing.

Maprilynne

 

Birol

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #5

That's the additional explanation I was trying to offer, but I couldn't make it sound not snarky last night! Thanks, gang!

 

Shara

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #6

Thanks everyone; I'm sorry if it sounded like a stupid question. I'm just very afraid of offending agents/editors and was worried a question might come up like, "why have you sent me these pages again - I've already seen these."

So, message understood. Send entire ms if requested to do so.

Now I just have to hope someone requests it from my partials...

Shara

 

Birol

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #7

Shara, there are no stupid questions. Really there aren't. I'm sorry if my comments about snark made it sound like I thought it was.

 

CaoPaux

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• Feb 27, 2007

• #8

Something else to keep in mind: if an agent makes any suggestions, typo corrections, etc., on the partial, s/he will be looking for what changes, if any, you make to the full.