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ellisnation
02-26-2009, 05:21 AM
Some agents request a "chapter by chapter" along with a query/synopsis. Can anyone tell me where I can find an example of one of these? I'm wondering how this needs to be setup...

Chapter 1 - sentence? paragraph? every detail?

Thanks!
dawinsor
02-26-2009, 05:26 AM
Can you say a little more, Ellisnation? I've never seen that "chapter by chapter" phrasing in an agent's guidelines.
ClaudiaGray
02-26-2009, 05:29 AM
To me this sounds like a synopsis broken down by chapter, perhaps an outline if your outline is structured that way.
ellisnation
02-26-2009, 05:43 AM
Hey

Wish I could say more... I've simply read on some agents sites "chapter by chapter." They usually want this along with a synopsis. Your guess is as good as mine! Honestly, I find it irritating... Query, synopsis, chapter by chapter, and 1st three chapters!!! For goodness sake! Just read the whole darn thing, why don't ya?!

*clearing breath*

Ok, Im better now ;)
Aggy B.
02-26-2009, 06:15 AM
Well, you could (probably) call and ask.

My guess is that they mean a chapter outline. Much like a synopsis but showing the main points/conflicts/resolutions of each chapter. I think I read somewhere that writing about one paragraph for each chapter is usually about right.

But, that's just my guess.
DMarie84
02-26-2009, 06:23 AM
That seems a little much, but hey I'm not an agent.

I would go with what Aggy said, only I would email asking for clarification rather than calling and asking (most agents frown upon this unless you already know and work with them personally).

Let us know what you find out!
Lainey Bancroft
02-26-2009, 06:28 AM
Hmm, fairly new to the agent search and have yet to trip across a 'chapter by chapter' request in submision guidelines.

I'll be watching for the follow up to this.
ellisnation
02-26-2009, 06:29 AM
Thanks Aggy and DMarie84 - that makes sense.
sleepsheep
02-26-2009, 06:30 AM
Is this for non-fiction? I've seen this requested as part of a non-fiction proposal, but it seems a bit too much for fiction. It sounds like a detailed chapter outline. For example:
Chapter 1 - Marie and Frank go to the movies and end up running into some zombies. A few more sentences summarizing the chapter.

And so on.

Still, I think it's best to call and ask for details. Seems a bit too much for a fiction query.
Prawn
02-26-2009, 07:13 AM
I had to do a Chapter by Chapter outline for a certain agent in Boston. I bitched about it, but once I had done it, I found it helpful because it pointed out some problems I had in pacing. Go ahead and do it. It can't hurt.
maestrowork
02-26-2009, 09:22 AM
It's a chapter-by-chapter outline. I would do one paragraph for each chapter. You want to keep the outline short and sweet. Same rules apply for outlines vs. synopsis: 3rd person, present tense, keep to the major characters and plot points.
jubileerocker
02-26-2009, 10:00 AM
Sounds like they are intrested, congrats
ellisnation
02-28-2009, 06:45 PM
I had to do a Chapter by Chapter outline for a certain agent in Boston. I bitched about it, but once I had done it, I found it helpful because it pointed out some problems I had in pacing. Go ahead and do it. It can't hurt.

Yeah. I'm bitching about it, too. LOL I think you're right though. It could be very helpful.
ellisnation
02-28-2009, 06:46 PM
It's a chapter-by-chapter outline. I would do one paragraph for each chapter. You want to keep the outline short and sweet. Same rules apply for outlines vs. synopsis: 3rd person, present tense, keep to the major characters and plot points.

Thanks Maestro! I kinda figured that's what it was. I suppose (*sigh*) it makes sense.
jclarkdawe
02-28-2009, 07:27 PM
I did one for an English agent who ultimately passed, but you can see it at The Picture detailed synopsis (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113343). If you PM me, I can send you the notes on as an attachment to your email address.

As Prawn says, worth the effort for seeing some problems. It took me about two days to put together the notes and then another two days to write it, but I was under a deadline.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe
RainbowDragon
03-01-2009, 12:59 AM
It's also known as a chapter outline. Keep it as punchy as possible and use third person present tense. Try to make it as gripping as the novel. . .

There are books that have examples and you can probably dredge some up online I'd imagine with the right keyword search.

I haven't written one; I'm hoping I won't have to, but it can be used as a tool even for an agent to pitch to publishers (or to get staff members working on your book in line with what it's about without them *gasp* actually having to read your book!)

Just remember, it has to be exciting enough to hold someone's attention in and of itself. :)