I had planned to work on a real post yesterday, my first day back in solitude, but instead I was laid low by a stomach virus. It all started with a four-year-old vomiting all night Friday. Then the bug hit his father on Saturday morning. They flew home at noon (still sick) and within an hour of returning home from the airport, it hit me. I pretty much don’t remember half of Saturday and most of Sunday.
I hate being too sick to even read. What a waste of time. I wasn’t able to get online, so I’m even farther behind in blog reading and responding to email. One of the last emails I read before the virus sent me to bed was from an agent, requesting the full manuscript of my novel. Normally, I would have been excited at another chance to present my work. That day, the request barely registered.
Now that I’m feeling much better, I need to send the file. The problem is, I haven’t looked at this manuscript for several weeks, and when I opened it, I found a notation at the top. Evidently, this is something I meant to change, but now I’m not sure how. (Note to self: never leave cryptic notes.) I expect I’ll remember my intention the second I send the file to the agent.
Another thing is I’ve been working on a new first chapter. This is not just a revision of the current one, but a completely new chapter from another character’s viewpoint. In my query to this agent, I included the first ten pages, and since her request is based on that, of course I’ll send the original. But I’m wondering if I should mention the new chapter in my response? Should I finish editing that chapter and include it as an alternate? Should I say nothing about it unless until she offers representation? I’d appreciate your thoughts.
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Linda Cassidy Lewis 
How cool is that! A full manuscript request is awesome news. I have everything double and triple crossed for you.
I obviously have no advice on your question, because I have no experience with agents and publishing, but you have plenty of friends with experience who will guide you in the right direction.
Good luck!
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All those double and triple crosses must be inconvenient, Trista 😀 But I do thank you! I’m sending it out this afternoon, sans mention of the new beginning.
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Wow! Awesome about the request for a full. Sorry you’re sick.
I would leave it for now. She’s familiar with the old versions, I’d keep the new on the back burner just in case. Of course, I have no experience but it seems that agents are so irritated when they think you’re wasting their time. I’d be afraid they would chuck it all as too much trouble to read both.
GOOD LUCK!!
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Thank you, Dayner. I’m much better today.
And yes, I’ve decided to send her the full with the beginning she’s already read.
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See, if I was just better about checking your blog in a more timely manner, I wouldn’t need to be told through emails. 🙂 Congrats again! And you know my advice.
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Yeah, like you have nothing better to do. 😉 And I took your advice.
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Congratulations!
For what it’s worth, I agree with everyone else: send as is! The agent liked it, so it certainly worked.
You could always finish the rewrite for your own satisfaction.
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Thanks, Cam. I do plan to finish the rewrite, and it may indeed be only for myself.
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So it’s good news and bad news. Sorry you’re sick, I am too, and it isn’t the viral we all want our books to go out on.
Great news that someone wants to look at the ms. I agree with Suzanne on that one. I remember how hard it was waiting for my agent to check out the whole ms. I tried not to get my hopes us. No expectations, no disappointments I always say.
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Welcome to my blog, Tahlia. Yeah, I’d rather my book go viral than me. 🙂 I’m better; I wish you well.
“No expectations, no disappointments I always say.”And I agree.
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