First three chapters submission

You cannot second-guess how long an agent would take to read your book: if they want it tomorrow, you're going to be forced to say you can't provide it, and then you will have lost your chance.

If you carry on working and find you need to change something from the outset, you will not be able to write to the agent(s) and say, 'Oh, by the way, what happens on page four has been changed so ignore that, and the main character's name is now X instead of Y' - they'd give up on you for wasting their time.

Be professional. Finish the whole thing, and then re-read it as a whole: that's vital, because anyone asking for the complete thing will read it that way. See it through a possible agent's eyes, and not as something you just want to get out there, ready or not.

The editorial services are a great place to start, and could involve you in a lot of re-writing that you didn't think it would require. Better to know now than after you've submitted it.

Good luck with it all.

Lorraine

Hi there, Melinda, I agree with Clare. Take your time. I would continue with the next few chapters of the manuscript and once they are done (a gap of weeks or months or however long it takes) I would go back to those first few chapters and read them as if you had never read them before. I do that and find flab in the wordage, or that the flow or emphasis of the story isn't right. They are usually small changes needed but they will turn out to be important ones when you present your work.

You have time ahead of you so use that to your advantage.

Also, don't ask friends or relatives for feedback- you can never be sure how convinced they are of your work, or if they are just wanting to make you happy. An independent audience is worth listening to.

Good luck with your work.

Kevin.