'First three chapters'

[Teatime]

You're right. And I will send off this package in a few days, whether or not I feel it's right or not.

It's just when the agency gave me those two alternatives, well, i don't want to send them half of what they actually want to read through.

As an agent, I guess you can tell whether you want to read more of the work in 23 pages, correct? Though you ask for six chapters if I'm right, which would be about 50 pages....

Thank you for indulging my anxiety

[daisybee]

First off, Teatime, well done as I assume it's done & written-so pat on the back.

Secondly-send three chapters and don't eat your heart out. JUST DO IT. I say this for your own good, honest. Once they see three chapters and like it (see the optimism?) then they'll see the rest in due course right?

Anytime you are given an OR option, ignore whatever it is and go with the first, like I do. That way the decision making process is removed.

Best of luck with it, and don't cripple yourself over the small stuff. You've done the hardest part dude, you finished!! YAY!! (Okay getting published is not easy but hey, one mountain at a time).

Okay maybe my post came too late-GOOD LUCK!LOL.

[Teatime]

Thanks

And now that I think about it, they did say 'first 50 pages, or first three chapters'

Haha.
Look, I'd prefer the first three chapters. Just don't want to short change them and not give them enough to go on. As you can see, I need to learn about anxiety control.

[John Jarrold]

An agent or publisher - and this has ben said here many, many times - turns down 90% of their submissions in the first ten pages. If they are interested after your three chapters, they will ask to see the entire book, most likely.

Like daisybee said: JUST DO IT!

[Teatime]

3 chapters it is. Thanks.

[Teatime]

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.

[John Jarrold]

Put an elastic band around the pages and SEND THEM!!!

[John Jarrold]

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.

[SJAB]

Get thee to the post office with yon parcel, Teatime!!

[JFLewis]

Ack! I've been doing part of that wrong... no rubberbands. Grr...

[Teatime]

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

[John Jarrold]

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!

[John Jarrold]

Originally Posted by Teatime

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

You really do seem to be micro-managing in a paranoid fashion now! IT DOESN'T MATTER! Send the pages!!!

[Teatime]

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

[John Jarrold]

Exactly! It doesn't matter!

Good luck!