By now we all know how difficult it is to find an agent to represent your work. If you haven't yet sent your manuscript to an agent I am sure you have read many posts on this website and you have now learnt it is not an easy process.
Should agents consider simplifying the process for themselves as well as the would-be author? Some claim they receive 1000 manuscripts per month and the average time is 2 to 3 months waiting for a reply if you receive one. Do you honestly think in a three month period that your manuscript along with 2999 others was read ?
Agents claim they can tell a good writer from the synopsis and a query letter. If you were an agent how would you simplify the process?
"Read" does not mean "Read in Full", it means "Read enough to make a decision", so yes, I honestly do think (and indeed know first hand) that agents read the subs they are sent from people with no pub credits.
Here's a fun and informative exercise everybody should do.
Go to Smashwords and pick your genre. Read everything which has been published there pretending you are an agent - how much do you read before coming to a decision. Quite often, it's no more than a paragraph or two. Less if there are spelling and grammar errors.
Write a short query letter so that the agent can get to your manuscript faster! They always say the quality of the writing matters most.
Comply with the rules of the agent-the typescript, the materials required, the genre and market definition. Ensure there are no typos, remove every superfluous word, strive for the best in the first 3 chapters or 50 pages. Presumably they make their minds up within the first 3 paragraphs. So edit, edit and edit.
Pray that your agent is not sleep deprived, hungover, recovering from spat with spouse or boss when they happen to chance across your much laboured over manuscript.
'Agents claim they can tell a good writer from the synopsis and a query letter. If you were an agent how would you simplify the process?'
I think they do simplify the process.
From what I have read, many agents don't read the Synopsis unless they are hooked by the first page or two of the novel. I know what your thinking - all that hard work. But it makes sense. It saves them time as they wade through the slush-pile.