Sample chapters for agents, I'm abit confused

by Kimberley Stevens
17th February 2013

When a agent askes for sample chapters, e.g. the first three. Does this include the prologue, as in the prologue being one of the three chapters, or do you send in the first three chapters and the prologue. Please help, I'm so lost.

Replies

I have always read.... When an agent asks to see the FIRST 3 chapters along with your query letter... That is it, no more no less. Never send chapters 5,6,7 or 3,8 and 13. Always the first 3.

There is a good article on this site (How to hook an agent) If they don't ask for it don't send it.

Hope that helps..

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damien
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damien Isaak
17/02/2013

Hi Kimberley,

I would suggest that the prologue was separate from the first three chapters as it merely sets the scene and adds a bit of background to the story. Depending on the length of your prologue I don't think it would count as a chapter. However if the prologue is as long as one of your chapters then I suggest you count it as a chapter although normally a prologue is quite short.

I am no expert in this area but that is what I would do.

Hope this helps. Other people may have some better answers than I do!

Laura

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Laura Lovelock
17/02/2013