Should I send off the first three chapters of my manuscript to an agent? or wait till the whole thing is done?

Question

should I send to one agent at a time or lots???!!

Answer 1

i would send the first three chapters off when u havent got a lot left to do! so if they like the first 3 chapters they will ring u and ask for the rest and u want to be able to say ill send it right away other than it isnt finished wait for it!

also i would send it to a lot of agents! because if u put it out there to a lot u have more of a chance of getting at least one reply! and if a few reply then u can pick what one u like and go for the higest bidder!
hope this was of sum help!
xx

Answer 2

Is the manuscript fiction or nonfiction? If it's nonfiction, then wait until you finish the book. Most agents aren't interested in taking new or just beginning writers, by the way.

If the book is fiction, wait until you've finished the second and even the third book before you look for an agent or a publisher. First novels and one-novel writers NEVER make any money for the writer or publisher, so the publisher needs to know if you're going to keep writing and writing and writing so that eventually they'll get their investment in you back.

You should spend some time learning what the writer's life is like, so you don't go asking the questions you ask. It's not a good idea, by the way, to send a manuscript off to many agents or publishers at once, and the costs can add up (mail and copies, and return postage). You need to read Writer's Market, available in any library, and find answers to your questions.

Answer 3

As far as I know, a lot of agents, just like publishers, won't accept simultaneous submissions because if they start to invest time and effort into your work and find out you're preparing to work with someone else, it winds up being a waste of their time. You should have several different agents you're considering at once. Learn everything you can about them from other writers, friends, colleagues, etc. It is also important to have your novel finished before you start trying to sell it, finished and edited to perfection! If it is finished and they are interested, you won't have to hurry hurry hurry to get it done. Some will look at outlines, but it is a good idea to have the work complete.

If you haven't already been published (ie., magazines, journals, chapbooks, etc.,) you may want to focus on building up your publication history as well. Agents and publishers rarely take chances on first time authors without a publication history.

Answer 4

Only send off the first three chapters when you have finished the whole book.
Agents are not interested unless there is a complete book to work with.

Answer 5

You should find out what each specific agent wants. Most of them have guidelines. Some don't want to read even part of a book that's unfinished. You can probably approach more than one at once as long as none of them has an exclusivity clause.

Answer 6

If it's fiction, I hate to say it but whether it's three chapters or the whole thing, you're wasting your time unless you've been at one of the old public schools or you're Jewish. Just look at these agents' names - It's all Crispin Throatwobbler-Huxtable or Barney Finkelstein. Or unless you know people there already, but then you wouldn't have asked the question.
Been there, done that.

Answer 7

You should wait until it's finished - you don't want to sell the publishers one type of book, that might change course dramatically by the time you have completed it.

But don't lose heart - keep writing and finish it! Patience is a virtue after all.

Answer 8

Non-fiction...you can send the 3 chapters and an outline of the rest.

Answer 9

I would wait until it is all done & send it off to lots - then if they all accept,, you can choose the one you'd prefer to go with.

Answer 10

Best wait until it's finished.