Question about queries/sample chapters?

[Ireth]

I'm seeking to submit my first finished novel to an agent, and I've recently finished writing a synopsis and cover letter. Right now I'm looking over the manuscript itself for a last-minute edit if need be, and something just occurred to me. I might be having a total brainfart about this, but I'll ask anyway. When an agent requests a certain number of sample pages along with a synopsis and query letter, do they need the pages to be full? Like, if the last page of the sample ends in mid-sentence or mid-paragraph, and I don't want to go over the requested page count by including the end of the paragraph on the next page, do I give them the whole page or trim it so it ends at the last full paragraph?

[Kelise]

Personally I would edit it down so it fits the page requirement. If they then request the entire thing it's probably okay to revert to how it was previously (unless the forced edit makes it appear tidier).

Though it is probably okay if it's just a paragraph on the next page, I'd be so ecstatic about being requested that I would want to do everything in my power to follow their request to the letter.

That being said - I've never actually reached that stage. I'm only speaking of what I've generally read online.

[Ireth]

I've already done a fair bit of editing-down, and I'm not sure how much more I can or want to do. If the paragraph that's causing the trouble wasn't so large, I'd do some more. Maybe I'll just send in a few less pages than the requested 50. I'm sure that's acceptable. The agent's website does say "the first 50 pages (approximately)," so I think I might be able to get away with 45.

[Kelise]

That should be enough to get them interested anyhow Then the next request you hope to hear is for the rest of the manuscript. It would be different if it were the first five or ten pages, but 45/50 is easier.

[TWErvin2]

You would want to send them a logical place to stop. If a chapter ends on page 51, then send 51 pages. If the best place to stop is page 45, then just send 45. The next five pages aren't likely going to 'sell' them on asking for more or deter them, as the 45 should give them a good hint for the story and writing style, etc.

[Twilight Flyer]

It took me years of query letters and synopsis' to finally get my first "YES", although I did get a lot of "maybe later"'s. I used the Writer's Market and picked up a new copy every year. In addition to all the contacts you'll ever need, it also has come great info on how to make submissions and what agents and publishers are looking for.

As far as how many pages to send it, if they are not asking for chapters (which is easy) then they usually have a rough number if they're asking pages...20, 30, 50...whatever. It's always OK to be a little (though not much) under that, particularly to ensure that you end your submission with a finished idea. You never want to go over it, though, because then it looks like you are pressing.

Best of luck!

[JasonLudwig]

I sent out a bunch of submissions to agents about six months ago and got a lot of rejections. Does anyone have a thought to how long you should wait to send out another revamped submission to the same agent? I mean, there are only so many agents that take fantasy work so you have to keep sending to the same ones, right?

Also, to all you published authors out there or to those that just have agents so far, what are your thoughts on the tone of a query letter? I've done a lot of research and wrote a synopsis and query letter that I felt was very careful. I'm thinking now though, that maybe a more "frank" or "light-hearted" version might be more successfull. Any thoughts? My fear in writing a light-hearted query letter is that the agent may assume that my writing would be in the same voice and mine is definitely not that light-hearted.

[Caged Maiden]

My query letters are pretty light-hearted, but then I might be doing it wrong. I was wondering something though... When someone asks for 30 pages of manuscript, formatted in double spaced... does that mean my 30 pages then double spaced, or thirty double-spaced pages of my manuscript? Becuse, I sent one this afternoon and am nervous about having done it wrong. I sent my 30 pages and double-spaced it (4 chapters) but it's like 70 pages long now. Are they gonna freak? It wasn't clear on the guidelines. It was worded:

"Send the first 30-35 pages of your manuscript, and be sure to format it so we can read it. Times New Roman 12 point double-spaced."

See to me that read as my 30 pages, then double space it.

[Ireth]

@anihow: Sorry, but you did it wrong. They want thirty double-spaced pages, since the whole manuscript should be in that format anyway when it's ready to be published.

[Caged Maiden]

darn it!!!