agent protocol

[Kimberly White]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone know the protocol to follow when an agent asks to see sample chapters? When someone writes, \"Please send me sample chapters,\" does that mean right away, or is it okay to wait a week or two to do some more editing?

Thanks for any advice/insight!

[Gary Kessler]

Kimberly:

You wouldn't have to send it right away under these circumstances. They usually have a steady stream of material passing through that they have requested and don't keep close tabs on time lapses. Of course, if an agent calls you on the telephone and, while sounding like they are having trouble catching their breath and containing their excitement, and says that they want to see your material right away because it may meet a specific need at the moment, it would be a good idea to get the material out as soon as possible.

[Bob Kellogg]

Also, Kimberly, be sure to letter on the front of the package "REQUESTED MATERIAL."

Sometimes agents say "the first 30 pages" or "the first 3 chapters." If the agent didn't specify what chapters, you can choose, but always send the first chapter.

Bob K.

[Kimberly White]

hi bob, thanks for the response! i fired an agent recently because i wasn\'t happy with the letter he was sending out to publishers, so i\'m somewhat familiar with the submission process. it just kind of sucks that i had two other agents respond on the same day ... i really wasn\'t expecting anything!

[Lord Duff]

Kimberley: Rewriting is a slippery creature, with a writer never being quite sure if their work is ever well and truly "finished" or not. Your comment about needing more time to rewrite tells me that perhaps you should have waited a little longer before submitting this initially.
Anyway, good luck with this.