Nathan Bransford - The Forums

YAAAAYYY!!!!

Okay so I just got my second partial request for the novel I'm shopping and have a (possibly stupid) question: the agent wants me to send the first three chapters and I'm wondering how big of a no-no it is to send the first four instead? My novel is YA and the chapters are pretty short; I think the ending of chapter four would make you want to keep reading much more than the ending to chapter three. Is it at all permissible to do this?

Thanks in advance. :)

I wouldn't send anymore than they ask for. With that being said, since the chapters are fairly short, is there a way to combined them?

And CONGRATS!!!!

~JD

That's what I'm looking at now. Problem is, if I combine them then one chapter will be twice as long as the other two and it might read a bit awkwardly. I'm going to look at it though.

First of all, CONGRATS!! :D That is awesome!

I'd say when in doubt, follow their instructions :). While I'm sure it won't be a cardinal sin to send them four chapters instead of three, it's always a good plan to give them what they're asking for. Also, is there a way to make the end of chapter three more tense or exciting? That's always a possibility, too, if you think it could use some tweaking :).

Good luck, and keep us posted! You rock!

First, congratulations!

I've been reading advice on chapter format. First, the chapter breaks need to be there for a reason, not just a break every X number of pages of so. Does one end a scene/location and the next start something slightly different? Is there any suspense at the end, urging (or coercing) the reader to read "just one more chapter, honey, and then I promise I'll turn the light off"? While you shouldn't alternate between five- and twenty- page chapters, they don't to be uniform if the uniformity doesn't help the story.

If you really feel that fourth chapter must be involved, and it won't destroy your chapter breaks, then find a way to include it. If you don't have a page limit, you aren't breaking any rules.

Congrats! I just got my first partial request today too and I didn't even start querying yet (it was a result of an agent-run contest I entered). I'm sending only the 3 chapters because I want them to know I can follow directions -- so regardless of the reason, I'd recommend sending just the 3. This agent also wants a synopsis so that's what I'm stressing about right now -- and why I'm up at midnight! Good luck w/ your submission. :)