I've just heard back from an agent who, in the first instance, only likes you to send in a cover letter and synopsis. She has requested that i do send in 3 sample chapters.

It's a funny one though, isn't it? Presumably, this means that my cover letter and synopsis are okay, so if she rejects me, this can only mean one thing... the writing ain't so good

Whereas if you submit the whole package to start with, you can kid yourself that, well, maybe my synopsis let me down, or maybe it wasn't even read, or maybe my cover letter isn't right...

Still, i'm not complaining, it's a step in the right direction.

Casey

That's great news, Casey - good luck with it!

A
xxx

Thanks, Anne!

I think probably the best thing is to try not to read too much into it - if (when!) she rejects it, i shall just tell myself that it didn't suit her list...

Casey

Fingers crossed for you.

Thanks, Kate.

Excellent news, Casey. Good luck with it. And yes, you can go mad trying to read things into it... try something less thought-torturing, like World Peace, or Fermat's Last Theorem.

Emma

Heh, heh, thanks, Emma. I know. It's a bit like your first crush at school when you're sure the fact that he told you to go away means he really loves you

Casey

I like this thread. Scratch one: letter and synopsis, check!

Softly softly, catchy agent

Casey,

That's great, they must be interested to ask for the first three chapters, you know how busy agents are and how many letters/submissions they must get each week.

I'd say it was a positive move on their part.

Good luck

Katerina

this can only mean one thing... the writing ain't so good

No, Casey, it doesn’t mean this. It means your writing doesn’t appeal to the tastes of that single agent. Don’t let it get to you (if it happens)

Good luck

Dee

Congrats Casey! You should be really encouraged by that. The angent, I would guess, likes your writing (from what she's read of your synopsis and covering letter) and likes the sound of your story. Definitely the first hurdle cleared.

Fingers crossed for you.

Nik.

Congrats Casey! You should be really encouraged by that. The angent, I would guess, likes your writing (from what she's read of your synopsis and covering letter) and likes the sound of your story. Definitely the first hurdle cleared.

Fingers crossed for you.

Nik.

Thanks for those encouraging words, Katerina, Dee and Nik.
I know you're right, Dee and I shall root out this thread to remind myself, if/when i receive my rejection

Casey

Well done, Casey. That's very encouraging. I am also a prime one for re-reading every piece of correspondence and thinking, 'What should I read between these lines?'

Try not to, though. It sends you mad.

Love
Sarah



<Added>

Ha ha. I posted this and then checked my emails. There was one from Sonia saying thanks for the chocolates I sent her for Christmas. I read it three times, trying to find a clue in there as to whether any publishers have been in touch about my book, but really, I think she's just saying Thanks for the chocolates.