Outlines to Literary Agents

[PurpleLady]

Can someone help me unravel the mystery of what an agent wants when they ask for an outline of a completed novel? Most of the agents I have queried asked for a synopsis. However, I ran across one that wants an outline - not a synopsis. How long should the outline be? Should I write it chapter by chapter? Format?

This is my first novel and I am still learning a lot about the business of selling myself and my novel. Assistance from Uncle Jim and others would be greatly appreciated.

[Bufty]

Did they just say they wanted an outline or did they add -not a synopsis? If they just said an outline, my guess, subject to anyone else's view is that they mean a Synopsis.

Can someone help me unravel the mystery of what an agent wants when they ask for an outline of a completed novel? Most of the agents I have queried asked for a synopsis. However, I ran across one that wants an outline - not a synopsis. How long should the outline be? Should I write it chapter by chapter? Format?

This is my first novel and I am still learning a lot about the business of selling myself and my novel. Assistance from Uncle Jim and others would be greatly appreciated.

[PurpleLady]

Thanks for the wake-up call. I have a full plate right now and thought I saw this on a web site. However, on second glance, the agency's request for "Outline, 3 sample chapters and SASE" came from Writers Market.Com. I think it's safe to say that my synopsis would serve the purpose. I better get some rest.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonfaint.gif

[JERETHAL]

They meant send me something i can sell. Don't be brief, be great.

You got to remember that agents know that editors and publishers are toooo busy and generally make judgements in a few minutes. The story is over rated.
read Grishams " The Rainmaker", "The Street lawyer", "Testament", and "The Chamber". NOT GREAT STORIES, BUT THEY OPEN STRONG AND READER FRIENDLY.
Good titles, Good covers, Good synop, Good opening.
Ain't no editor or publisher OR AGENT gonna read more than a few minutes of it.
They look at it like a person in a bookstore would. Thats who pays you.



SAMPLE OPENING FOR A BOOK

" I remember the first time I laid eyes on Clyde Miller. I can smell a hustler a mile away. I hate a hustler; lying ,sneakin, theivin bastards! As soon as Miller got out of his dirty old pickup truck, I could tell he was a haggler.
Hagglers go from garage sale to garage sale, looking to get something for nothing. Lyin scum is what they are.
I was having a "MOVING! GARAGE SALE! That Saturday. I really wasn't moving, I just said that because people think you're desperate to wrap up your business and get out of town when you advertize a "moving" garage sale; so they expect a good deal and show up early..... in droves!
END
I just made that up. You'll notice that the storyteller is a hypocrite. The reader can identify with garage sales. They always wondered if those people were really movin. The tone is set. You got a nutcase hypocrite gonna tell ya a story about a hustler named Miller. Probably gonna be some trouble. I WONDER WHAT? What happens next? Who is this hustler hypocrite that hates hustlers? This is gonna be gritty, maybe sexy, maybe bloody.

HEY, I'M JUST TRYING TO OFFER SOME THOUGHTS AROUND HERE.

[Aconite]

How's that working out for you, Jerethal? Got a spiffin' agent and a multi-book deal? ;)

[scarletpeaches]

Has someone resurrected Harold Robbins without telling me?

[Jamesaritchie]

Has someone resurrected Harold Robbins without telling me?

I just snorted coffee all over my bib. Thanks a lot. Harold Robbins!