Hi all,
I've written a manuscript for a novel that will (hopefully) be ready to send out to agents next year. Thing is I've written the novel as the first in what's looking like a trilogy. What's the query letter protocol for this? Do I hint that this is the first in a series, or do I just wait and see if an agent offers to represent me before mentioning it?
Thanks !
Hi Louisa.I have recently been published and originally planned on a single novel but was also fortunate to have created a plot which allowed for a series to be put into the planning. The question from the publishers "Are you planning a series?" came as a pleasent shock as the whole process of writting did take hold of me. I am sure this happens to all who live through an artistic process. For if it did not then there would be very few of us. After all It is an exaustive process and refusal letters can be very disheartenning.
It is difficult to consider what you are going to do after your first book is finnished as writers must find magnanimity or one will forget their target audience needs.So as writers we find ourselves in a constant state of flux between expectation and pessimism. I would say that first time authorship is always best taken with a pill of optomism. There is nothing to loose from the extra effort. Be confident in your ability to create more work as that is what publishers really need to hear.
My best wishes to you for a successful book series.
(i will use my pen name . . begrudgingly : )
Jason Farmer
Thanks for the answers!
I like where my ms is at now in that I've got a plot for it as well as the beginnings of an overarching plot for the next two stories. I don't feel like it relies too much on the over-arching narrative but an agent or editor could feel differently. I'm also looking for things like writing mentorships to help me out before/during submission so we'll see how it goes.
Clare's solution is spot on. An agent is much more likely to take on a new client if they are assured that the author isn't a one-trick pony. They're either going to put energy into promoting you as the next big THING to hit the literary world... or they're not. It's a long-term investment for them, too. If they put all that energy into presenting you as the hope of the future and you only had one book in you, they're going to lose out.
But they should be REassured that the first novel stands alone... doesn't NEED the sequels to be bought and appreciated.
And make SURE that that first book makes agents - and the reading public - hungry for more!