Chapter by Chapter???

ellisnation · Feb 25, 2009

Some agents request a "chapter by chapter" along with a query/synopsis. Can anyone tell me where I can find an example of one of these? I'm wondering how this needs to be setup...

Chapter 1 - sentence? paragraph? every detail?

Thanks!

dawinsor · Feb 25, 2009

Can you say a little more, Ellisnation? I've never seen that "chapter by chapter" phrasing in an agent's guidelines.

Claudia Gray · Feb 25, 2009

To me this sounds like a synopsis broken down by chapter, perhaps an outline if your outline is structured that way.

ellisnation · Feb 25, 2009

Hey

Wish I could say more... I've simply read on some agents sites "chapter by chapter." They usually want this along with a synopsis. Your guess is as good as mine! Honestly, I find it irritating... Query, synopsis, chapter by chapter, and 1st three chapters!!! For goodness sake! Just read the whole darn thing, why don't ya?!

*clearing breath*

Ok, Im better now

Aggy B. · Feb 25, 2009

Well, you could (probably) call and ask.

My guess is that they mean a chapter outline. Much like a synopsis but showing the main points/conflicts/resolutions of each chapter. I think I read somewhere that writing about one paragraph for each chapter is usually about right.

But, that's just my guess.

DMarie84 · Feb 25, 2009

That seems a little much, but hey I'm not an agent.

I would go with what Aggy said, only I would email asking for clarification rather than calling and asking (most agents frown upon this unless you already know and work with them personally).

Let us know what you find out!

Lainey Bancroft · Feb 25, 2009

Hmm, fairly new to the agent search and have yet to trip across a 'chapter by chapter' request in submision guidelines.

I'll be watching for the follow up to this.

ellisnation · Feb 25, 2009

Thanks Aggy and DMarie84 - that makes sense.

MsGneiss · Feb 25, 2009

Is this for non-fiction? I've seen this requested as part of a non-fiction proposal, but it seems a bit too much for fiction. It sounds like a detailed chapter outline. For example:
Chapter 1 - Marie and Frank go to the movies and end up running into some zombies. A few more sentences summarizing the chapter.

And so on.

Still, I think it's best to call and ask for details. Seems a bit too much for a fiction query.

Prawn · Feb 25, 2009

I had to do a Chapter by Chapter outline for a certain agent in Boston. I bitched about it, but once I had done it, I found it helpful because it pointed out some problems I had in pacing. Go ahead and do it. It can't hurt.

maestrowork · Feb 25, 2009

It's a chapter-by-chapter outline. I would do one paragraph for each chapter. You want to keep the outline short and sweet. Same rules apply for outlines vs. synopsis: 3rd person, present tense, keep to the major characters and plot points.

jubileerocker · Feb 25, 2009

Sounds like they are intrested, congrats

ellisnation · Feb 28, 2009

Prawn said:
I had to do a Chapter by Chapter outline for a certain agent in Boston. I bitched about it, but once I had done it, I found it helpful because it pointed out some problems I had in pacing. Go ahead and do it. It can't hurt.

Yeah. I'm bitching about it, too. LOL I think you're right though. It could be very helpful.

ellisnation · Feb 28, 2009

maestrowork said:
It's a chapter-by-chapter outline. I would do one paragraph for each chapter. You want to keep the outline short and sweet. Same rules apply for outlines vs. synopsis: 3rd person, present tense, keep to the major characters and plot points.

Thanks Maestro! I kinda figured that's what it was. I suppose (*sigh*) it makes sense.

jclarkdawe · Feb 28, 2009

I did one for an English agent who ultimately passed, but you can see it at The Picture detailed synopsis. If you PM me, I can send you the notes on as an attachment to your email address.

As Prawn says, worth the effort for seeing some problems. It took me about two days to put together the notes and then another two days to write it, but I was under a deadline.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

RainbowDragon · Feb 28, 2009

It's also known as a chapter outline. Keep it as punchy as possible and use third person present tense. Try to make it as gripping as the novel. . .

There are books that have examples and you can probably dredge some up online I'd imagine with the right keyword search.

I haven't written one; I'm hoping I won't have to, but it can be used as a tool even for an agent to pitch to publishers (or to get staff members working on your book in line with what it's about without them *gasp* actually having to read your book!)

Just remember, it has to be exciting enough to hold someone's attention in and of itself.

Chapter by Chapter???

ellisnation

Rhiannon Ellis

dawinsor

Dorothy A. Winsor

Claudia Gray

ellisnation

Rhiannon Ellis

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think

DMarie84

I wish I had a time machine

Lainey Bancroft

Cover Me!

ellisnation

Rhiannon Ellis

MsGneiss

Prawn

Writing is finite,revising infinite

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

jubileerocker

Let's do the time warp again

ellisnation

Rhiannon Ellis

ellisnation

Rhiannon Ellis

jclarkdawe

Feeling lucky, Query?

RainbowDragon

Perpetuous Revisasaurus