Help!

by Helen Jones
14th May 2014

A few months ago I submitted my book to an agent and, as I didn't hear back from them, assumed they were not interested. However they have now got back to me and yay! They are interested. Trouble is, in the months since I submitted my book has been split into two and much of the first three chapters removed. So my question is, should I send the original manuscript I pitched to them, or explain the situation and send the new one instead? Or both? Any input is much appreciated, thank you, Helen

Replies

I would contact the agent and say that you have been busy editing your manuscript since you last heard from them. Tell the agent that you have made many changes to your novel, but kept a copy of the original manuscript. I'm sure that they would like to compare the original version of your manuscript with the latest version.

I hope that helps.

Good luck

Profile picture for user Adrian
Adrian
Sroka
19900 points
Ready to publish
Fiction
Historical
Middle Grade (Children's)
Young Adult (YA)
Adventure
Adrian Sroka
14/05/2014

Hi Kate, thanks for your answer - your point about the synopsis is a good one. Much appreciated.

Profile picture for user helenglynnjones
Helen
Jones
1765 points
Practical publishing
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Comic
Business, Management and Education
Speculative Fiction
Adventure
Historical
Gothic and Horror
Romance
Helen Jones
14/05/2014

My first thought is to send the original manuscript as the agent hasn't just judged it on the first three chapters but on the synopsis, too.

If your revise has been based on the advice of a professional (e.g. an editor, another agent) then send a revised version with explanation.

That's just my opinion and I am not in the publishing industry...

Profile picture for user KatyW_
Katy
W
270 points
Ready to publish
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Historical
Speculative Fiction
Katy W
14/05/2014