Welcome to Writers Talkback. If you are a new user, your account will have to be approved manually to prevent spam. Please bear with us in the meantime
Write just the sample chapters or finish the book before submitting?
Hi all,
Sorry, I think this question has come up before but can't find it just now!
Do you think you should finish a book before submitting sample chapters? I'm working on something and the first 3 chapters should be finished this side of christmas. I've made a shortlist of agents, and two of my preferred agents just want the first three chapters. I'm tempted to send them in, hoping that I'll be able to crack on and write the rest if they're interested. If not, I'll crack on anyway and then sumbit to those who want to whole book rather than samples.
What do you all think? Any thoughts/experiences to share?
Thanks and happy writing!
Comments
Good luck for when you do submit though.
A few years back I was querying my first novel. One agent came back and said they would like to see the full manuscript.
Fantastic you would think?
No, because this was back in the days of floppy disks, and the disk containing my novel had been corrupted and I hadn't backed it up. I lost the whole thing. I did have a hard copy from the last edit, so I had to re-type all 100,000 words. It took several weeks. I cringe now because it made me look like an idiot.
Finish the book because you might come unstuck. You might just get a full request with agent #1 as you are writing chapter 4.
That one is also on my desk. :D
Since I'm getting near to subbing to agents, I've promised myself that I'm going to learn as much as I can about the publishing process!
Happy writing all.
Please take a trip along there and tell me what you think, but no swear words please.
Colt the Author
[quote=Dwight] How exciting, but I suppose you have to curb your urgency and make sure your book is as good as you can make it first.[/quote]
Tell me about it! I've picked the first agents I'm going to sub to, but I'm cooling my heels until I'm happy with it. I am subbing to the CWA Debut Dagger comp this year though.
I have both those books too! I'm looking forward to Jane Wenham-Jones' new book. :D
Thanks again for the excellent advice, and I'll let you know how I get on.
Happy writing!