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So do you send out query letters BEFORE you write your books?  

post #1 of 12
1/27/09 at 5:18am
Thread Starter 
Or do you have the whole thing written first?

I have no idea how this works!
post #2 of 12
1/27/09 at 1:50pm
A first-time author definitely needs to have a completed manuscript in hand before sending out queries. A lot of people have ideas for novels but never actually get them written -- an agent only wants to deal with people who have shown they can actually complete the writing process.

Generally it goes like this:
- write a novel
- send out queries (with the first 5 pages of the novel, or whatever the particular agent asks for -- it's critically important to follow his or her instructions)
- if the agent likes your query, he or she will request a "partial", which will be something like the first 3 chapters or 50 pages of your novel
- if the agent likes your partial, he or she will request the full manuscript
- if the agent likes the full manuscript, he or she will offer representation in selling your novel
- agent contacts editors and tries to sell your novel for you

What type of novel are you planning to write?
post #3 of 12
1/27/09 at 5:33pm
Write the whole thing first if it's a novel.

Non-fiction books are usually sold by pitch, so you have to have a good idea of the outline, tone and contents of the book, but you don't have to write the whole thing (in fact, it's not recommended, as the editor might want you to go for a slightly different angle or whatever).
post #4 of 12
1/27/09 at 6:48pm
I agree with the above, yes. Even for non-fiction agents often ask for the first 3 chapters. But it is also true that writing the whole book, if it is non-fiction, is not recommended before securing an agent / publisher.

Are you thinking fiction or non-fiction?
post #5 of 12
1/28/09 at 8:34am
I'm 2 chapters (and the unsurmountable task of editing) away from completing my first novel (yay! and I'm still not going to send out any queries until I've done so many edits that I don't see any need for change and I think it's totally in the bag, perfect (IMO)...THEN I'll get that big book of agents/editors and find some to submit to...but I'd never do it without having it totally done yet - everything but the jacket
post #6 of 12
1/28/09 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MommyHawk View Post
I'm 2 chapters (and the unsurmountable task of editing) away from completing my first novel (yay! and I'm still not going to send out any queries until I've done so many edits that I don't see any need for change and I think it's totally in the bag, perfect (IMO)...THEN I'll get that big book of agents/editors and find some to submit to...but I'd never do it without having it totally done yet - everything but the jacket
This is the right plan, I think. forget that big book, though. agentquery.com and querytracker.com have replaced it, i think.
post #7 of 12
1/29/09 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 
Mine are illustrated children's books. Fairytales.
post #8 of 12
1/29/09 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EwokMomma View Post
Mine are illustrated children's books. Fairytales.
Do you illustrate yourself?
post #9 of 12
1/30/09 at 8:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EwokMomma View Post
yea, you can see my artwork here

Although this is the grown up stuff.

Basically I need to get my act together and get something together to show to an agent but sheer knee knocking inability to market myself gets me stuck!
OMG, this Sedna is so beautiful! Get your act together, quick!

Will you be approaching an agent as an illustrator? Or both? I know that normally a children's author would provide jsut text, and the publisher assigns an illustrator, except when the writer is an illustrator herself. I'm not exactly sure how to approach when you are both a writer and illustrator. I wonder if you could just email an agent with a question?

Did you check agentquery.com?
post #10 of 12
1/31/09 at 3:06am
Thread Starter 
No, but I looked at it just now and it's brilliant! There are a few agents who are interested in Illustrator/Writers.

There is one in particular I've got my eye on. Now I have to get motivated to put something together seriously...
post #11 of 12
1/31/09 at 9:12am
there's also querytracker.com--same idea, slightly different format, and you can see others' comments on particular agents, re response time etc.

get to work now
post #12 of 12
2/17/09 at 7:16pm
bump. how's it going?
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Mothering › Forums › Natural Family Living › Mothers' Writing Group › So do you send out query letters BEFORE you write your books?