Mention a series?

It works for me like the example you gave but most IMHO are turn offs.
Wait until an agent requests your work and discusses representation.
Let me put it like this: It wouldn't make an agent offer if they weren't going to already -- it's more likely to turn them off...

Hey check out Nathan's blog - he talks about it and says he likes a nice discrete mention- He's an agent - listen to him...

Ann Crispin and I discussed this in her "How to get an Agent" workshop at Capclave this past weekend.

We both suggested to the attendees that a brief mention that you have other works under development isn't a bad thing (shows the agent you're more than just a one-trick pony), but depending on how tight for space your query letter is, it's not an "I must have it in there" piece.

However, in that same vein, pitching "THE first book of a trilogy" was less desireable, especially if it's a trilogy where the first book ends in a cliffhanger. While The Trilogy seems to be a staple of SF/F writing, what happens if book one sells but your numbers don't generate enough interest for books two and three? That might make an agent less interested, especially if you have no track record. There are a number of authors I enjoy who seem to have a first book and then a trilogy based in the same world that follows later.

Agents (and publishers) seem like series. They seem less desirous of trilogies, at least up front.

Again, as with all comments on this board, YMMV.

Actually, the "series" mention, I believe, was a big part of selling my agent on my latest project. If the writing is good and strong - there is no reason to think someone might be turned off by a series. You have to think in an agent's terms . . . more books, equals more money.

Of course, if you say "This is a series. It's the next Harry Potter." that's a big no, no." I usually say "I have considered making this a series in the future." In that case, if they like it, they will mention the series again. I started out with a series of three, my agent turned it into a series of 11!

My agent, too, was excited that it was a series. I don't think it was the main selling point for her, but it was definitely a plus. I'd mention it briefly.

I think Nathan adds another piece to this in today's blog- FYI

I haven't gotten any acceptances yet, but here's what I've been doing...

I've written and edited the first book of a series, and am outlining book two at the moment. I've sent about ten queries, and am gearing up to send more after completing some major editing since the last round.

In researching agents, I look to see if they are specifically looking for series submission, or if they have made any mention of how they feel about series works. If they seem negative about it, or make no mention at all, I pitch the book as a stand alone, which I think it does nicely. If I have found some mention of an agent either wanting a series, or being positive about being queried on new series, I've been slipping in a discrete mention that it is the first book in a series.

I've also pitched the book at a writer's conference as well, and did not mention series unless specifically asked by the person I was pitching to. Those who asked seemed to be genuinely interested, and I got requests for partials from them all. They all eventually passed, but had nice things to say about it, so I don't think it mattered one bit.

JR, I'm not sure I understand what novel question your trying to ask . . . will you type it up in another post?

I usually put, "blah blah blah with series potential." I mean, I have the 2nd book nearly done and the third as well, but I don't want to go overboard because I'm a nobody and they don't know if my writing/story is good enough to warrant one book let alone several. Btw, if saying this in a query is bad, someone with more experience please smack me upside the head. Thanks.