Query Now, Or Later?

[Antaeus]

I've encountered a bump.

A brief perusal of the Search Forums section haven't found any threads that give me a satisfactory answer, so I apologize if I'm re-hashing previous questions to much.

I'm working on a manuscript. Er, obviously. Anyway, the total length, based on the work I've already completed and plot based projections, is probably going to be much larger than 120,000 words. Probably larger than 200,000. Maybe close to 300,000.

Anyway, given the comments I've read on the site about how difficult it can be for a new author to publish a mammoth manuscript, I decided to break it up into two or three subsequent novels. Similar, in a way, to how Lord of the Rings was initially divided into individual components. That being said, I'm nearly done the section that would be construed as my first novel.

So, on to my question; given the novels, while they could technically stand alone, still rely heavily on creating plot lines for the future installations and calling on character histories and established plot lines from the prior installations, should I write the entire manuscript before sending out queries?

Keep in mind that I have the synopsis for the entire story pretty much worked out. I'm just wondering if I should have the extra one or two subsequent novels written and polished before trying to sell the first.

[stormie]

When you query, it's only about the first novel. Polish that, write a synopsis for only that first one. You can still have that over-all synopsis on stand-by. Then if and when you do get offered representation or an editor picks it up, you can then mention the second and third books. (Work on those while you're querying.)

[Cyia]

Make sure the first novel has a clear ending and isn't a cliff hanger, that will make it an easier sell. At your length, you need all the positives you can muster. You can call it a stand alone with series potential, or even the first of a proposed trilogy if you like, but absolutely make sure you point out that book 1 can make it on its own.

Remember the longer the book the more it costs to produce, so that means publishers want to make sure they hedge their bets.

[jclarkdawe]

If you're looking at the LOTR as an example, you're in trouble. The LOTR is NOT a trilogy. It's one book, printed in three volumes to reduce cost to the publisher. It was released as one book, not in pieces.

The endings Tolkien used for each volume were not originally intended. Tolkien originally intended this to be one book, with the second part being THE SILMARILLION.

I can't imagine any publisher trying to publish a book structured like LOTR (as people presently view it) without having the whole book in front of them. Too many things can go wrong between accepting the first third of the book before the ending is completed.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

[maestrowork]

Market your first book as a stand-alone. If it sells, then talk about the series. Otherwise, it's irrelevant.

[Horserider]

YES. Publishing goes like this: Write, edit, edit, beta, edit, query, publish. There is no write, query, write, edit, publish. :D Unless it's non-fiction you do NOT query unless said story is done. The whole series doesn't have to be done, but if an agent requests a full you want to be able to provide a spit-polished full without delay. You don't have to have to mail them back saying "it's not done" it's unprofessional.

It's like in school. You don't turn in an unfinished essay expecting an A+.

[Danthia]

Write the first book and get it as polished and perfect as you can, then query it. You can add a line in closing that basically says "although this book stands alone, it can continue as a trilogy" to let them know there's more if they want it.

Have good synopses of the other two books in case an agent wants to see them, but don't include them with the query. If you sell the first book, your agent will want those synopses to help you get a multi-book deal.

[James D. Macdonald]

Write and sell a different book. Keep this one as your second novel.

(Don't query any work before it's finished: What will you do if an agent and/or editor calls you on the phone, says, "I love it" and asks you to send the entire thing?)

[sleepsheep]

When I was querying, it was made very clear to me (by AW experts) that it is a big No-No to mention other WIP in your query letter. Even if it's part of a three-book series, only mention the first one (which should stand on its own anyway). Once you have an agent, you can discuss the series and all your ideas, but the initial query letter should be just about your first (COMPLETED) novel.

[sleepsheep]

YES. Publishing goes like this: Write, edit, edit, beta, edit, query, publish.

In my case it was write, query, agent, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit.... hopefully, publish. But, I got incredibly lucky in that I was able to find an agent who liked my voice/story enough to overlook all the editorial problems of my manuscript. I understand that most people query with a much more polished product than I did.

[DeleyanLee]

When a published friend of mine sold a "Fantasy trilogy" (a trilogy that's one big story ala LOTR), she had to submit a synopsis of the entire trilogy instead of just the first book since the contract was shooting for all three books. I asked her about a new writer (like me) doing this and her advice (supported by her agent at the time, Russ Galen, IIRC) was that all three books should be finished and polished at the time of submission and the first three chapters of the first book and a synopsis of the entire trilogy could be sent.

That was several years ago, so the standard might have changed, but it made sense to me.

[waylander]

What the other folks said.
Write and polish book 1 to its highest possible standard and make the major plotlines tie up.

Most book deals are for 2 books. If book 1 sells well you may get an offer for further books in the series. If it doesn't then book 3 is toast.