'First three chapters'

While on the subject, would people suggest leaving the whole package unbound?
Have read various opinions on this, and think maybe leaving the sheets loose (but numbered with my name on each one) in the envelope might be best.

Thanks.
 
This is an answer to an FAQ re. submitting to editors and agents from my website:

There are also basic presentational matters: Double space your script. Do not print on both sides of the paper. Do not bind the script in any way, chapter by chapter or as a whole. Publishers simply find this irritating. Put a couple of rubber bands around it, and nothing more.
 
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Ack! I've been doing part of that wrong... no rubberbands. Grr...
 
wouldn't rubber bands scrunch the manuscript up a little?

Also, something i've heard various opinions on: for the SAMPLE submission (not the full manuscript), what should be on the title (cover) page? and on each page - name, abbreviation of book title, and page number in top right corner?

Thanks
 
The bands aren't vital, they just keep the pages from falling apart when the package is opened. A large paper clip would do as well. But NOT a separate paperclip for each chapter! Just one. And obviously if you are sending a full novel, you would need a band to encompass it all.

Editors do most of their reading in bed or on public transport. There is VERY seldom time to do it in the office. So one chunk of pages makes it easier - and you should want to make it as easy as possible, to put them in a good frame of mind while reading your work!
 
Teatime said:
wouldn't rubber bands scrunch the manuscript up a little?

Also, something i've heard various opinions on: for the SAMPLE submission (not the full manuscript), what should be on the title (cover) page? and on each page - name, abbreviation of book title, and page number in top right corner?

Thanks
Click to expand...

You really do seem to be micro-managing in a paranoid fashion now! IT DOESN'T MATTER! Send the pages!!!
 
Ok. I am going to print out lots of copies of the pages today.

I have one final question: I have formatted my manuscript's margins so that the text is aligned equally across the page (not sure what the technical term is) - should the text be justified to the left instead - I think that's called a 'ragged right' margin?
I am basically going by how it appears in books, but have read in various places that it shouldn't be justified like that. (read on the internet - so I'm not entirely sure it's correct).
Or is this another of those things that doesn't matter...?

Thanks. And no more questions now :)
 
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Teatime make sure you dont put your manuscript upside down in you package... it could be unlucky.

Just having a laugh, good luck this time next year you will be a millionaire.

Cheers Del:cool:
 
For those interested...

I've sent about 35 packages off now - a lot are agencies that told me 'no harm in submitting' (generally their genres were 'all sorts', rather than specifically saying sci-fi/SF/fantasy), the odd one or two who I sensed a genuine connection to.

I'm now looking at the US agencies and wondering about submitting to ones who might be interested there as well, or maybe waiting and see if anything happens with these UK ones. I have one or two UK agencies left to submit to, but they have slightly different requirements (a longer sample than usual, for instance) so I have to get that ready first.

I got two rejections today, which I guess was to be expected, but the speed certainly surprised me - I sent the packages on Monday, and got the stuff returned in the mail today - Friday!

Also spotted a typo today in my synopsis that I've sent off to most people, a word missed out, but it is obviously a typo, so I'm hoping it won't really make a difference.
 
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Way to go Teatime!

As to how many you send out, that's up to you.

All I can say in ways of advice, is what was given me, send them out in batches and wait for them to almost clear, because;

One; you might get a request for more.

Two; you might get a golden nugget of a remark from an agent with their rejection, and it always worth thinking of altering said submission in line with the comments for the next batch.

Three; you can read over the covering letter, synopsis and first three chapters just to make sure you have caught any errors.

I tend to do five snail mail ones with sample chapters and ten email query letters (normally US agents.) Then I wait for most of that batch to chear, i.e. rejections, then start again. Sad thing that I am I use an access data base for each book, tracking its submissions, and a spreadsheet for all my books/agents submitted too. :D

Edit: I recently had a rejection, where the agent had not used my envelope or stamps, but used another envelope with just a large letter stamp on it. I had to go to the local main sorting office, ten miles away, to collect it, and pay additional postage. What's more the rejection was not even a photocopied letter, just a thin slip of paper, bady cut! ROFL"
 
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Well, I may have made a mistake in sending lots out at once, because I did find a typo in the submission manuscript (as well as in the synopsis), despite all the times I'd checked it over. Or rather, a sentence that I don't think was grammatical (the equivalent of 'He was not in as control as he thought' - which may even work as a sentence still, but I have trouble telling with complex sentences now, heh). But it's too late now - I suspect contacting these agents with a 'correction' would make something that may be quite small a lot worse - all I can do is hope. And perhaps pray :)
 
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I honestly don't think one typo will kill it, if the agent is engaged with the story, and thinks it has that special something.
 
Ok, this is driving me mad - and given time, I WILL get over it (the fact of the errors, at least, maybe not so much if it tips the balance a certain way - of course, it might not!), but I was wondering what peoples' opinions would be on if I contacted, by email (or phone if there is no email address), the two or three agencies that I really liked (impressions over the phone, website, or whatever) and briefly mention these errors and the corrections.
This is most likely just going to make any typo/grammar mistake worse, but it is an idea I wanted to check with people who know more about the industry than I do before dismissing it entirely. (note these are UK agencies, if this makes a difference)

There are really three 'errors': a word missed out in the synopsis (purely a typo), and two in the sample chapters that despite the amount of times I read it I only picked up on yesterday.

Thank you - going for a walk now to try and calm down...

PS before people ask, I did have someone else read through as well and they missed them! (the synopsis one, however, was a last minute change and the word somehow just disappeared)
 
I watched the BBC documentary a couple of years ago about Sheila Quigley who had been signed up by Darley Anderson agency, with a £300,000 publisher’s advance. Anderson commented in the program that her manuscript whilst rough around the edges, I suppose he meant it would need some editing work, was gritty and that’s why he signed her.

So I would not worry too much, these guys are professionals and if your story is special and written beautifully the odd typo wont affect their decision whether they take you on or not.

:)
 
Thank you. I wonder if the 'sample chapters' were rough around the edges too! Nevertheless, it's certainly still readable.

Anyway. Thank you for your supportive words. The future is not written, didn't Sarah Connor say that? Tee hee.
 
No problem, what is your book about, How long has it taken to write and what is your expectations for it?

Just interested not nosey!:cool:

cheers gary
 
That's fine, I'm pleased you're interested, I'll PM you the details (yet another anxiety of mine) :)
 
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