Do most (first time) novels get published on the strength of a few chapters and a synopsis which is then completed once the deal is struck or is it generally the case that an agent and / or publisher won't go near it unless either it's finished or they're dealing with a big name with a good past record?

I would imagine most novels have to be completed first but I just read an article that say otherwise so just wanted it clarifying.

Thanks.

I think the vast majority are completed. Many agent's websites actually say, 'Don't send it till you've finished it,' and even if they like your script, the chances are they'll still say, 'Go away and finish it and then get back in touch.'

The exceptions seem to be novels where the concept is all, and the writing only needs to be adequate (which they could tell from the sample), or where concept and writing are so electrifying that they're willing to take the risk of it needing a lot of editorial input, in order to bag it now. There's a WWer who has a contract on that basis, and I think I'm right in saying that the advance was relatively modest, to reflect the risk the publisher's taking, (though with escalator clauses to increase royalties if the book really does take off.)

But I still think sending stuff out when you haven't finished the novel is very high risk. How can the writer be sure those first three chapters are as good as they can possibly be, if they haven't finished the book and revised and reworked it and put it aside for a bit, and revised it again? And it's only something that's as good as it can possibly be that stands a chance.

Emma

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The other thing to bear in mind is that it can be completely paralysing, when you've always written from sheer drive and passion, to have a deadline, and a contract, and the sense of an editor looking over your shoulder and judging every word. Contracts have been broken and advances returned by writers who haven't managed to finish, and that's no way to kick of your writing career!

My agent would certainly never take on anyhting other than a complete.

I think it might be different if you had recently participated in a popular television reality show or broken up from a bestselling girl band. But I'm guessing neither of these things is the case?

Rosy

A friend of mine sold on first three chapters and synopsis - but she'd already completed a couple of unpublished novels (which showed she could go the distance) and it was 10 years ago (when I think such things were more common... seem to remember legendary agent Jonny Geller selling some books on first three chapters (maybe Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees's first one?).

I sold my non-fiction on the basis of first three chapters, but I think that's a lot easier - they sort of 'know what they're getting' as opposed to fiction where your plot could sag horribly, your characters turn irritating or whatever.

all best

Maria

Yes, I think it's very common in non-fiction, because they can tell much more from your synopsis and a sample of your writing whether the whole thing's going to work.

I have a friend who's writing a bio at the moment, and her agent says he could sell it on three (out of a projected ten, I think) chapters, but she's going to wait till she's got six - well into the professional life, in other words, not just childhood which is relatively easy to make interesting - so that she's confident that she's going about it the right way.

Emma

For my two pennies worth, I agree with the above. Most agents will only take on an author who's finished a full MS, and even then have that MS polished to the nth degree. My agent took me on on the strength of the story and the writing, but advised a major overhaul to fit more in with the current genre trends, albiet the fact it will already be slightly bucked. The way it generally works is that if an agent likes the first three chapters, they'll then request a full MS.

JB

seem to remember legendary agent Jonny Geller selling some books on first three chapters

I've read Adele Parks' Getting Rid of Matthew which he represented and also Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro which I believe may have been sold for a large sum before it was even finished.
I enjoyed them - they're not exactly mind-blowing....I often wondered was I missing something in them!?

It occurs to me to wonder whether agents are better at getting a deal on a few chapters - they can make all the convincing noises about how terrific the final things going to be, and how they know the author can finish a novel and make it brilliant...

Whereas it's harder for us to convince an agent of the same things, without actually finishing the damn thing. I dunno, but of these fabled bought-on-synopsis books, I'd be very interested to know whether they were agented, and the agent had seen earlier, full attempts or even tried to sell them. I think the number of three-chapters-plucked-out-of-the-unagented-slushpile and bought there and then make hen's teeth look commonplace.

Emma

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Maria's friend's experience seems to suggest that it is more likely with someone who does have some kind of form that an agent can swear to, albeit unpublished.

Very late coming in on this one as I am glued to my lap top to meet a very tight dead line on a unfinished book I sold by submitting a proposal. BUT it was a non fiction book, which seems to confirm all said previously.
Mary