How soon is too soon?

SDBmania · Apr 20, 2007

My first book was around 75000 words before I started sending query's searching for an agent. Though, at that time, it was finished. I had zero interest in reading the script and I think it was because my letters were not very good.

As I have said in an earlier post, I'm working on my second novel. I'm curious though about when the best time is to start sending in query's. I'm at 10000 words at this point and I plan to take it to at least 70000, maybe more.

My question is, when can or should I start sending in query's? I don't know how soon I will finish, but I don't want to wait too many more months to send them. Or should I just wait till I've finished?

Nakhlasmoke · Apr 20, 2007

When the book is completed, edited, revised, and as good as you can make it.
And only then.

Really, it's for your own good.

scarletpeaches · Apr 20, 2007

When you can spell 'queries'?

Sorry...

Birol · Apr 20, 2007

Scarlet, let's watch the snark, okay? No one's perfect; no one's required to be perfect.

SDBMania, until you have an agent, you should treat each book like a separate enterprise that may land you the dream response. This means it should be as finished as possible before you announce its existence to potential agents and editors. They may want to see it rather quickly.

scarletpeaches · Apr 20, 2007

I didn't think I was being snarky at all. It just makes sense to me that a spellcheck would be one of the first things to run over one's work before submission. You can't just say to people, "Yeah, yeah, send it out when it's ready," without mentioning that which is required to make it ready. *shrug*

And I did add a 'sorry' to the end of my post with a '

'.

Birol · Apr 20, 2007

This is not anyone's work submitted for publication. It's an internet message board where standards are a bit more lax, as it's a casual environment.

Don't try to play me; it won't work.

scarletpeaches · Apr 20, 2007

I have to say I am not trying to play you and resent the implication that I am; I can't understand where this tone has come from.

I'll take it to PM so the thread doesn't get derailed.

jodiodi · Apr 20, 2007

One reason you want to wait until it's perfect (or as perfect as it can be) is that, in revisions and editing, you may find the story changes significantly. I made the mistake of sending out my first work after it had been edited and I thought it was great. I, of course, received rejections. Once I had some of it critiqued on here, I went back through with my new insight, and made several changes which strengthened the work, changed the word count, etc.,. I still haven't gotten published, but am in the query stage and have had requests for partials (more than I ever got before).

I ruined my chances of that book with some agents because I sent it out before it was polished as it should be, and you can only polish once the ms is completed.

I know it's tempting, but trust me, you'll be glad you waited.

Good luck!

Jamesaritchie · Apr 20, 2007

Queries

You should never send out a single query until a work is in final draft, and polished until it shines. Patience really is a virtue. And you should learn how to spell "queries." Internet forum or not, such mistakes can make a difference in how a manuscript, or a forum post, is received.

Birol · Apr 20, 2007

Guys, we are not going to be spelling Nazis at the Roundtable. Mistakes happen. People are typing on the fly. This is a casual place; perfection is not required.

Pointing out niggles in other members' posts is not conducive to ongoing dialogue nor is it very welcoming to a newer member of AW.

ccarver30 · Apr 20, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
When you can spell 'queries'?

Sorry...

I love you.

Siddow · Apr 20, 2007

Think of it this way: if, by some stoke of luck or genius, an agent requested a full, wouldn't you feel better knowing that you had a full to send?

And hold off until you've finished at least the third draft. Go over it once yourself, have a trusted beta read it through, and then fix anything else that needs fixing. You may as well move forward with your best work possible.

ChaosTitan · Apr 20, 2007

Never query a WIP. Many agents will automatically reject a letter than says the manuscript isn't finished. Even if you leave out that little fact (which I wouldn't, because it's dishonest and agents like to know word counts), what happens when Agent Zero responds to your letter and asks for a full read? And you don't have one?

Save yourself the agony. Listen to (most of) the advice above and finish, polish, repolish, and shine the manuscript before you start to query.

FredCharles · Apr 20, 2007

SDBmania said:
My question is, when can or should I start sending in query's? I don't know how soon I will finish, but I don't want to wait too many more months to send them. Or should I just wait till I've finished?

I know that you are probably anxious to get moving with your book, but sending your manuscript out before it is 100% is suicide. When you are finished your book, you should put it away for a bit and then reread it.

Let me ask you a question: Are you doing the editing, or are you working with a professional? If you are serious about getting your novel published, you should at least spend the money to hire a proofreader. It may cost some money, but it will lessen your chances of ending up in the rejection pile.

I've proofread my book dozens of times, and I never fail to miss stupid mistakes.

ChaosTitan · Apr 20, 2007

FredCharles said:
Let me ask you a question: Are you doing the editing, or are you working with a professional? If you are serious about getting your novel published, you should at least spend the money to hire a proofreader. It may cost some money, but it will lessen your chances of ending up in the rejection pile.

Not necessarily true.

Sure, hiring a pro editor and shelling out cash may work for some folks, but it isn't a surefire way to increase your chances of being published. There are plenty of pubbed writers on this group who have never paid for editing services. There are some who have and they learned from the edit.

What works for one person won't necessarily be beneficial to another.

Kate Thornton · Apr 20, 2007

Whether you pay for the service or not, proofreading is vital.

Please wait to query until the work is finished and as polished as you can make it.

FredCharles · Apr 20, 2007

chaostitan said:
Not necessarily true.

Sure, hiring a pro editor and shelling out cash may work for some folks, but it isn't a surefire way to increase your chances of being published. There are plenty of pubbed writers on this group who have never paid for editing services. There are some who have and they learned from the edit.

What works for one person won't necessarily be beneficial to another.

The point is to have someone else look at your work, whether you pay for the service or have a friend who is a good proofreader.

SDBmania · Apr 20, 2007

Thanks for the good advice everyone.

(one note about the hole "queries" thing is that the spell check missed it)

I'll heed you words and not submit until the work is polished. I'm sure it will be a while before then, but I'd rather not submit it too soon.

(I was kind of surprised to see so many posts so soon

Soccer Mom · Apr 20, 2007

We're freakish that way. We see a thread and jump in.

In addition to finishing and polishing your ms, spend time researching agents to make sure you are targeting the agents most likely to be a match for your ms.

Good luck and happy writing.

Carrie in PA · Apr 20, 2007

First of all, welcome!

I agree with the others - wait until it's completely finished. Proofread, revised and polished.

And congrats on your progress!!

Birol · Apr 20, 2007

Birol said:
This is not anyone's work submitted for publication. It's an internet message board where standards are a bit more lax, as it's a casual environment.

Don't try to play me; it won't work.

scarletpeaches said:
I have to say I am not trying to play you and resent the implication that I am; I can't understand where this tone has come from.

I'll take it to PM so the thread doesn't get derailed.

Scarletpeaches, I'd like to apologize to you for this comment. It was over-the-top.

scarletpeaches · Apr 20, 2007

No problem.

Anya Smith · Apr 20, 2007

Since I'm a beginner, I wouldn't dare querying before I was finished with a story.

Does that mean I'm an optimist, assuming they would ask for a partial or full?

Judg · Apr 20, 2007

No, it means you're being responsible. What is the point of querying at all, if not to solicit interest in your writing? It's just plain stupid to not have your writing ready and eager to meet the agent you're querying, no? Could you imagine one of your friends trying to set you up on a blind date, and once you say yes, tell you the guy is travelling right now and may roll into town at some future time? You would not be impressed. Well, that's what a query is, an attempt to set up a blind date.

Once you're a published author, it's different. You're a known quantity then and different kinds of arrangements can be made.

erinbee · Apr 21, 2007

One of the reasons agents want authors to query complete works is so they know you can finish a novel, and do it well. Lots of novelists can get off to a great start, but have a hard time wrapping up the threads and finishing the damn thing.

Would you go into a clothing shop and buy a shirt with one sleeve, no hemming, unfinished detailing? Probably not, but then you'd never expect a half-finished consumer good to be on the market. Books = exactly the same, IMO.

Once you're in an author-agent relationship, they might act more like a person who visits a tailor and commissions work, ya know?

How soon is too soon?

yes

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