Submissions with unresolved plot points

by Neil McGowan
14th October 2019

My current WIP is a YA book that I've plotted out to be a trilogy. The first book is written (and revised) and comes in at 56k words, with parts two & three expected to be around the same length. As I intended this to play out over three books, I've left certain plot points partly unresolved with a view to them becoming the focus of the subsequent books. Would ending like this be off-putting to agents? I'm just about ready to start querying.

Replies

Hi Neil, I know it is ages since you posted, but I have not been on the site for ages.
Is 56k enough words for a novel? Isn't that around the amount for a novella?
I recall reading that agents and publishers aren't keen on novellas.
I may be wrong, I often am. Well, my family can't be wrong all the time.

Profile picture for user paulgars_31632
Paul
Garside
0 points
Ready to publish
Poetry
Short stories
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Gothic and Horror
Paul Garside
06/11/2020

I fully agree with Jonathan.

I am sure as readers we have wondered what becomes of characters at the end of a novel. For example an unresolved sub-plot. A looming threat. A possible romance. However, the main issue should be resolved. Did the protagonist achieve, partly achieve, or fail to achieve his aims at the end of your novel.

I hope that helps.

Profile picture for user Adrian
Adrian
Sroka
19900 points
Ready to publish
Fiction
Historical
Middle Grade (Children's)
Young Adult (YA)
Adventure
Adrian Sroka
28/11/2019

Thanks Jonathan, the main plot is resolved, so looks like it's time to start submitting

Profile picture for user neil.mcg_61197
Neil
McGowan
595 points
Practical publishing
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Gothic and Horror
Middle Grade (Children's)
Young Adult (YA)
Adventure
Speculative Fiction
Short stories
Neil McGowan
16/10/2019