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YouWriteOn Message Board > Literary Forums > NEW - The Hopes, Dreams & Broken Schemes Forum Help Search Recent Posts
Kinda Basic Query...
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ajblack4567
 13 May 2011, 12:18 #116916 Reply To Post
...I know, and I have no doubt the answer is already on here somewhere, BUT:

can you guys clarify - can you only submit to agents when you have your book completed? Are there agents who would take an outline and the first couple of chapters?

Happy to take a link to somewhere that lays this entire process out, as I'm clearly way behind everyone else on here as regards this particular curve, and I do find it confusing - query letters, form letters, synopses. Help!

Grateful as ever,

AJB
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Sammy
 13 May 2011, 15:01 #116926 Reply To Post
In a word: nope.

Agents want to know you can complete a book, not just write a couple of enticing chapters. That's the easy bit.

The trick is in getting the struture, tone and pace right throughout the novel, not to mention making your story arc compelling and believable, and seeing it all through to a great ending. Ending novels is tough.

Also, an agent needs to know you can put the work in and deliver. They're not going to sign someone up on two chapters if it then takes them four years to complete the rest of the book!

Of course, it's tempting to see if there's any interest before you finish the book. But there are no short-cuts. You've got to take the long route on this one. Finish the book, have faith in it, do your research and then send it off to the most suitable agents.

x
This post was last edited by Sammy, 13 May 2011, 15:01
'Stay away from your potential. It's like your bank balance. There's never as much of it as you think.'
sulcus
 13 May 2011, 15:40 #116930 Reply To Post
You submit the part you have completed. The agents like it. You reckon you can complete it by x date - even assuming to do it by the deadline, they have in the meantime received loads more submissions, some of which they also like and which have proved they can complete... I'm afraid you're out the loop.
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draig
 13 May 2011, 19:33 #116983 Reply To Post
Quote: ajblack4567, Friday, 13 May 2011 12:18
...I know, and I have no doubt the answer is already on here somewhere, BUT:

can you guys clarify - can you only submit to agents when you have your book completed? Are there agents who would take an outline and the first couple of chapters?

Happy to take a link to somewhere that lays this entire process out, as I'm clearly way behind everyone else on here as regards this particular curve, and I do find it confusing - query letters, form letters, synopses. Help!

Grateful as ever,

Generally they'll ask for the 1st few chaps and if it's any good they'll ask for the rest straght off- and if you haven't written the rest you've pretty much wasted everybody's time.

AJB


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