First chapter with a query letter?

Prawn · Mar 3, 2007

Pardon this question, but I am a novice.

My first chapter is five pages long, and I think it represents my novel well. Is there a downside to including it along with a synopsis with my query letter?

It seems like it would actually get the novel in front of them, and they could always throw it away if they didn't want to read it.

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 3, 2007

As has been said in many a similar thread...

send what they ask for, no less and no more.

Hillgate · Mar 3, 2007

I'd even go so far as to send less rather than more if it's a speculative query: if you can hook someone in a one page query letter they may end up asking for the whole MS the next day. Human nature - show a little, leave them begging for more, but obviously if someone asks you for stuff make sure you send them EXACTLY what they ask for, no more no less.

It does happen, but you have to get lucky with someone looking for exactly your thing at exactly the right time!

Julie Worth · Mar 3, 2007

Five pages, that would awfully tempting, since so many agents ask for five, and many others expect it even though they don't ask for it. My suggestion: if in doubt, send your five pages and don't send the synopsis. That way, they have to reject you on your work, not a summary of it.

roach · Mar 3, 2007

Miss Snark has suggested it doesn't hurt to send along the first 5 pages with your query so the agent can look at the writing as well. I've sent out three batches of query letters, the first and third with only the query letter if the agent said "Query only" and the second with query + first five pages. I've not gotten any better response with sending the pages with the query than without and in fact all of my requests for more have come from the batches without. That's far from evidence for or against sending but just some food for thought.

P.S. I'm back in the camp of send no more or less than what's asked now.

Julie Worth · Mar 3, 2007

Roach, it may be that they rejected you based on the material you sent them, in which case, they would reject you on that same material if you didn't send it initially, once they requested it. So, by sending it, you seem to get more rejections, but in the end, it should all average out.

sfecphory · Mar 3, 2007

Can't get any more right that Shadow Ferret:

Shadow_Ferret said:
As has been said in many a similar thread...

send what they ask for, no less and no more.

roach · Mar 3, 2007

Julie Worth said:
Roach, it may be that they rejected you based on the material you sent them, in which case, they would reject you on that same material if you didn't send it initially, once they requested it. So, by sending it, you seem to get more rejections, but in the end, it should all average out.

This is, sadly, a distinct possibility.

scarletpeaches · Mar 3, 2007

Shadow_Ferret said:
As has been said in many a similar thread...

send what they ask for, no less and no more.

Yup. You don't want to do anything to put their backs up. If you show you can't read instructions, they'll assume you can't write a book, either.

Berry · Mar 3, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
If you show you can't read instructions, they'll assume you can't write a book, either.

Not only that, they may assume that since you can't follow instructions you'll be a pain in the ... anatomy ... to have a business relationship with, and pass on that basis.

WriterInChains · Mar 3, 2007

Sending exactly what they ask for is good, but as long as an agent doesn't specify "no pages" I include a writing sample. I have a lot of rejections so far, but have never gotten a request for more or a personal note unless I include pages.

Just saying . . . pay attention to me at your own risk.

waylander · Mar 4, 2007

I'm with Caren. My default query is letter plus 5 pages. Very many agent's submission guidelines are along the lines of 'send a query with SASE'. In which case I'll include the 5 pages.
OTOH if they are specific then you send them exactly what they specify.

aruna · Mar 4, 2007

caren1701 said:
Sending exactly what they ask for is good, but as long as an agent doesn't specify "no pages" I include a writing sample. I have a lot of rejections so far, but have never gotten a request for more or a personal note unless I include pages.

Just saying . . . pay attention to me at your own risk.

I agree with Caren. From reading agent blogs I get the impression that more and more are happy, if they like the query, to glance at the pages.

Prawn · Mar 4, 2007

aruna said:
I agree with Caren. Fromn reading agent blogs I get the impression that more and more are happy, if they like the query, to galnce at the pages.

Okay. First five pages it is. I like the idea, so I am willing to risk it. WHat about Juile Worth's comment. Should I also include a one-page synopsis?

Please say yes, I spent weeks working on mine.

KAP · Mar 4, 2007

Prawn said:
Should I also include a one-page synopsis?

Please say yes, I spent weeks working on mine.

If it's a strong selling tool for the novel, include it when possible. But if an agent specifically states they don't like synopses on their webpage, their listing in a market guide, on online interviews you find when googling them,... don't send it. Same goes for the chapter pages.

Basically, learn what you can about the agent who intend to query and decide what's the strongest selling package you can send specifically to them.

Personally, I love to get pages in front of an agent. My synopsis-writing skills lack, so I'm happy to exclude that. But I gear each query to the agent's guidelines. I figure I'm trying to sell to them, and they know what they need to see in a query.

Best of luck,
KAP

WriterInChains · Mar 4, 2007

Hi Prawn,

If your one-page synopsis is stellar, include it if your gut tells you to. I don't, but that's because I'm not dancing circles about my one-pager, & the 2-pager makes the envelope look too fat.

I worked as a journalist for four years, and I'd still rather let my writing speak for itself, and not my "writing about my writing." Besides, if your writing sample leaves them wondering what happens next or how the story ends--great!

Break a leg!

~C

AllieB · Mar 4, 2007

While yes, you should pay attention to what agents want, I've also read more than one interview with various agents who say that, more often than not, they'll glance at pages included. Honestly, if the writing is good, they're not going to say, "Well, this could be the next best-seller, but since I didn't specifically request 5 pages, I'm sending thie potentially amazing author my form rejection letter..."

I'd go ahead and include the synopsis as well. At one page, it's doubtful that would make or break your submission.

Good luck!

First chapter with a query letter?

Prawn

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Hillgate

On location

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

roach

annoyed and annoying

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

sfecphory

roach

annoyed and annoying

scarletpeaches

Berry

WriterInChains

Feed my eyes

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

Prawn

Writing is finite,revising infinite

KAP

Hangin' with the gargies

WriterInChains

Feed my eyes

AllieB