Welcome to Writing Forums, one of the fastest growing writing communties on the web.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and photo galleries. By joining our free community you will
be able to talk with other writers, get feedback on your work to improve your writing skills, discuss ideas, share tips & tricks, network and make friends!
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support.
| Tips & Advice Share your tips, tricks and advice. |
01-04-2007, 07:14 PM
|
#1
|
|
Writer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington State, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 42
|
When an agent requests first 3 chapters.
When agents request on website to submit first 3 chapters, can it be, say, the first 2 chapters and a chapter further along? Or is it best to submit the FIRST 3 chapters only?
Also, what if your first 3 chapters are short? Do you send about 30 pages instead? Anyone have any guidance on these sorts of issues?
Last edited by jomccoy : 01-04-2007 at 08:10 PM.
|
|
|
|
01-04-2007, 08:18 PM
|
#2
|
|
Manager
Manager
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Great White North
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,315
|
Can you clarify 'on website'? If it refers to an agent requesting authors send their first three chapters to them online, I'd be leary.
As for the question: It's best to send what is asked for, in this case the first three chapters.
__________________
"...make your own nature, not the advice of others, your guide in life." --Pythia, Oracle of Apollo at Delphi
I'm here.
|
|
|
|
|
01-04-2007, 08:46 PM
|
#3
|
|
Writer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington State, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 42
|
I've seen websites of particular agents stating that they want a query, synopsis, and the first 3 chapters sent to them via snail-mail....is a better way to word the question. You've answered my question, though, thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 03:02 AM
|
#4
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 326
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by jomccoy
Also, what if your first 3 chapters are short? Do you send about 30 pages instead? Anyone have any guidance on these sorts of issues?
|
E-mail the agents and ask.
__________________
Got Sfik?
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 04:37 AM
|
#5
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South-east UK
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,887
|
Which agent?
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 06:23 AM
|
#6
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 445
|
First three chapters, even if they are short. It's enough to judge your writing ability and the hook. Publishers and agents hate authors who can't just follow the rules.
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 06:27 AM
|
#7
|
|
Best Seller
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ^seeking clarity
Gender: Male
Posts: 512
|
Herding cats comes to mind.
Poor agents.
__________________
I sense. I feel. I think. I write. In that order, occasionally.
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 11:50 AM
|
#8
|
|
Writer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington State, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 42
|
I've gone ahead and e-mailed agent. Got reply back stating whichever chapters I wanted to submit, and that the important thing is they get enough writing sample.
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 08:50 PM
|
#9
|
|
Profound Writer
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canberra, Australia
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,086
|
When writing, it is always an advantage to PLAN the first three chapters to be long enough and interesting enough for submission as a stand-alone work. First three chapters is an almost universal request, and they are using them as a guide to writing style. The synopsis is key, a well-written synopsis outlining the book in clear and concise language will make or break the submission.
If you do contact and agent and get authorisation to do something different (any three chapters for example), please mention it in your covering letter (futher to your e-mail on such and such a date, I enclose three sample chapters as requested by you...). The person who opens and reviews the submission may not be the person who gave the authority for any three chapters rather than the first three.
|
|
|
|
|
01-06-2007, 05:56 AM
|
#10
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 445
|
Interesting. You must have picked the one agent in the whole world who doesn't want consecutive chapters, lol. Don't assume that you do the same with others - my agent has non-consecutive chapters listed as her pet hate on her website.
cbrmale gives good advice about including info in your covering letter.
|
|
|
|
|
01-06-2007, 10:19 AM
|
#11
|
|
Writer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington State, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 42
|
Well, out of the four I e-mailed, only one said it was okay to send any 3 chapters. Another one said the first 3, and I haven't heard back from two of them but will assume they'll want first 3 chapters.
|
|
|
|
|
01-12-2007, 02:18 AM
|
#12
|
|
Mentor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,637
|
In my experience agents either ask for the 1st three chapters, or three chapters.
If tey ask for the 1st three chapters, that's what you send them. If they ask for three chapters, send them three really good chapters.
__________________
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Gohn
Never take what Talia says seriously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
01-12-2007, 09:06 AM
|
#13
|
|
Writer
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Australia
Gender: Male
Posts: 32
|
I'm soon to embark on the agent-finding road, so threads like this one are very helpful.
Talia, I've noticed you're a West Coast Eagles fan ... although I am a resident of Adelaide I am an avid Collingwood supporter. We have 2007 won. 
To more important matters ... would you happen to know of any publishers that are very accepting of horror fiction? That's my area and I want to know that there's at least a market before I send out submissions.
Cheers.
__________________
Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in
- American Beauty
|
|
|
|
|
01-13-2007, 09:46 PM
|
#14
|
|
Mentor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,637
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by bluemouth12
Talia, I've noticed you're a West Coast Eagles fan ... although I am a resident of Adelaide I am an avid Collingwood supporter. We have 2007 won. |
HaaaaaaaaHaHaHaaaahaaaaaahahahhahhhaa!!!!!!!!!
I'm screaming. That's so funny.
Hahahhahahahhaaaahahahahahahahhahaahaaaaahahaaahaa a!!
Oh dear. You just made my day. I'll be sure to PM you come Grand Final day when the Eagles are playing the Swans ... again.
__________________
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Gohn
Never take what Talia says seriously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2007, 02:55 AM
|
#15
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 291
|
Hold on a minute - what if your story doesn't have any chapters? What if it's just the story. Do we send the first three pages, the first 30 pages?
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 AM. Powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000-2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0
|
|
Newsletter |
 |
|
Subscribe to Majestic
the official newsletter of Writing Forums and lit.org
|
|
Link to Us: 
|
|
