Hello to everybody out there.

I've been browsing for a few days now, in order to work out the protocol.

I'm a brand new writer, started early in January. After perusing various websites it became obvious to me that it was very difficult for new authors to find an agent/publisher so, I decided to send a Synopsis of my novel to five agents very early on in the process. I've had four replies,(3 negative and 1 interested) and sent off the first 3 chapters to the interested agent.

As I've only been writing for 6 weeks and have a full-time job and young family, I've only managed 5 full chapters (circa 14,000 words). Question: how do I play it if, the world turns upside down and the interested agent asks to see the full novel? (I'm not sure of all the in-speak and abbreviations) bearing in mind it will take me a while to finish.

Also, I would love to hear some comments on the first chapter. I've not studied English or been on any writing courses, I've just wrote down what came naturally to me, so the language and composition etc may be poor.

How do I Upload?

Cheers,

Kev.

Hi Kev,
Not sure what to tell you on the agent front. My advice would be to be honest from the start, but I'm still learning the ropes myself, so wait for other people on that one.

As for uploading. Just click on the upload work link at the top of your screen, follow the prompts, and copy and paste your upload into the appropriate space.

Good luck! I look forward to reading your work.

Saz

Kev, welcome to WW.

how do I play it if, the world turns upside down and the interested agent asks to see the full novel?

How terrific that you've got someone interested at this stage. Well done! Did you say that it wasn't complete in your submission? If not, you'll have to now. They may be a bit miffed if you've been economical with the truth, but if they're keen, they'll wait. Just don't be too optimistic about when you say you'll finish, and allow plenty of time for the re-drafting, and re-re-drafting and the realising one whole sub-plot has to come out, and another re-structured. Be prepared for the large possibility that it turns out not to be their thing (some agents can't resist a tasty-sounding submission, even if they're pretty sure it won't quite be), and the small but definite possibility that by the time it gets there they'll have died/lost interest/moved on/taken on three new clients and haven't time for a fourth. Either way, it's still an achievement to have got this far.

Whatever you do, don't jeopardise it by giving in to the tempation to sending the whole thing out half-baked. It takes the patience of Job, but you've only got one shot with this or any agent, so it's got to be the best you can do, and then some! Apart from anything else, you'll never regret what you learn by really working it over and over.

You should be able to upload from your My WriteWords page, but I know that it varies with what kind of membership you have, so have a nose around and it should become obvious. IF you want consistent input, the best thing to do would be to try to join a group, as then the same people will be reading it at each stage.

Good luck!

Emma

Thanks for the input.

With my covering synopsis I sent a covering letter asking them if they would like to see the first two or three chapters. At know time did I intimate that it was a finished piece, conversley though, I didn't say that it was.

Let's hope they send me a positive response then at least I'll have something to work with.

I think that I've uploaded the first chapter: Bandy Bundy and the Keys to Good and Bad although, not sure where to.

It's a children's fantasy by the way; so please have a read if this genre: floats' your boat.

Kev.

<Added>

Edit: Just reread this and my English is appalling - sorry, I was fighting with my humous/pitta salad.

at no time did I intimate that it was a finished piece, conversely though, I didn't say that it wasn't.

Ok! Hope this is the shortcut.

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/13072.asp