Cocktail Napkin Doodles
I have often heard of urban legends where writers have sent query letters with the first few chapters of an unfinished novel; I have never heard a happy ending to those. Today on twitter I stumbled across some wonderful advice at literary agent Jennifer Laughran's blog. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend popping over to the dear lady's blog post haste. It's sound advice on whether to pitch an unfinished manuscript.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever taken the risk and pitched to an agent with the synopsis, and the first few chapters? If so, were you successful? For myself, I'm set on getting to the happy ending for my character before pitching however I wonder if anyone has gone the cocktail napkin route. Unless you are a celebrity or a deity of sorts, the back of the cocktail napkin would be particularly difficult, especially in these times with publishers watching the bottom line so closely. What say you?
When do you think is the right time to pitch your manuscript?
What are your thoughts? Have you ever taken the risk and pitched to an agent with the synopsis, and the first few chapters? If so, were you successful? For myself, I'm set on getting to the happy ending for my character before pitching however I wonder if anyone has gone the cocktail napkin route. Unless you are a celebrity or a deity of sorts, the back of the cocktail napkin would be particularly difficult, especially in these times with publishers watching the bottom line so closely. What say you?
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| Cocktails for all, please help yourself! Napkins removed for everyone's own safety. |
When do you think is the right time to pitch your manuscript?
A/N: Photocredits purchased via shutterstock
Comments
i also know the london office allows people to send in partials to them, so for pple like me bent on becoming a harlequin author if the partial does not work I put it in a later file and start on a new idea.
Is my partial going to have a good ending? I don't know but i really hope so.
Melissa - quite agree, and I do think its up to the individual writer when they want to pitch.
Kittie - right now its difficult unpublished first time writers to get a foot in. Publishers may be on the lookout for next hottest thing but they also need to keep their businesses running. I can only think of a handful of deities who may get by with cocktail doodles. ;))
Meredith - now there's a question. Who is the next Ms Rowling? *whispers* it could be you, never say never. ;)
Joanna - *cue evil laugh* I'm so glad you posted your experience here. You've piqued my interest - good luck on the partial. Am curious, I would probably have heart palpitations with this approach, partial pitching and waiting. And if they do come back requesting the rest of the book - how soon can you write it? You must be a wizard dear lady! ;)
Bethany, thats a good point, the author has to feel the time is right to pitch. I'm now having visions of pitching to an agent on the train. In London, the whole carriage would be critiquing my pitch. "Excuse, dear agent but have you met my dear Mr Sparkly?" *cue agent's furrowed brow and rustling of papers throughout the carriage*
Doodles, Talei? Good heavens girl, the only thing cocktail napkins are good for is writing down telephone numbers!!;)
Cindy - great comment! Completely agree. I'm a former girl guide - 'Be Prepared' is still a great motto. ;))
I will say that I would never propose a napkin idea to an agent, unless I had been with that said (currently invisible) agent for quite sometime and they knew my kooky ways.
Quinn, I think thats the consensus though there are is always the lucky exceptions who can pitch their ideas verbally and then write the book. ;))
Lisa, your grandmother advise is wise - apples or writing!! ;) Think my mother is of the same school.
Kelly, Ooh I look forward to trying out some of the pitch contests. ;)
Jen, Ha! ;) Kooky sells!!
Since this is my first peek at your blog, I'm assuming you are an aspiring writer. So am I...in my head anyway. Don't know if you've been published, but there is a contest at the Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore in Paris for new writers...check it out. English language of course :).
Also... If you go to nanowrimo.com, they have a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. I found out about it last year on October 30, and I met the challenge. It was the first thing I ever wrote in my life. The novel has sat on my shelf for a year now gathering dust. I'm paralyzed at the thought of editing it...don't know where to start.
If you know all about this stuff, sorry, but thought I would pass the info along.
Happy writing!