Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Just a few things I'd like to ask you as a former agent about querying agents.

1) When sending whatever amount of text is requested with a query, what do I do to separate paragraphs so it doesn't look like one big blog of text? Do I have to go through them all and put a line break?
2) Is it appropriate to attach files when a partial or full has been requested?
3) When sending a full, do I include the dedication and table of contents?
4) How should my cover page be formatted?

HappyElmoMonster wrote:Just a few things I'd like to ask you as a former agent about querying agents.

1) When sending whatever amount of text is requested with a query, what do I do to separate paragraphs so it doesn't look like one big blog of text? Do I have to go through them all and put a line break?
2) Is it appropriate to attach files when a partial or full has been requested?
3) When sending a full, do I include the dedication and table of contents?
4) How should my cover page be formatted?

1) I wouldn't worry too much about it, agents know that pasting text into e-mail is always kind of a crapshoot. Just paste it in and it looks how it looks.
2) Yes
3) No (on table of contents: acceptable for nonfiction, not really necessary for fiction)
4) However you want. All that's necessary is the title, your name, and your contact information. In these days of e-readers an agent will probably also appreciate if you paste your query into the title page so they can easily remember who you are when they go to read your manuscript.