I want your guys opinion on something.

Ok, I've decided that Tom Doherty Associates, LLC (which owns Tor Books and multiple other publishers) will be the first place I send in my submission. They ask for a cover letter, synopsis, a self adressed stamped envelope and the first three chapters or if they are long then send the first forty to sixty pages provided it's under ten-thousand words. They take four to six months to reply due to the number of submission they get each year.

So I have the plot of my novel completely figured out and out-lined but as far as actually typing it up goes, so all that needs to be done is actually typing it out. At this moment finishing up my third chapter tonight out of the total thirteen chapters. Going at my current rate (at least two thousand words a day) I should finish it well before half the time it takes them to reply.

So I was thinking about going ahead and sending in my submission now (well when I get a ink cartridge for my printer) and finishing up the novel while waiting for a reply. Do you guys think that's a good idea or should I complete my novel and then send in the submission?

From what I have heard and read - always have the novel complete before you submit it. Edited, revised, proof read and all that before you send it to them.

Then while you wait, you can start on your second Novel and perhaps other cover letters in case you get refused by Tor books.

I'd say it needs to be finished first; two reasons.

Say it's a slow month for submissions at Tor or yours somehow ends up on a fast track and instead of four to six months it take them four to six weeks to contact you asking to read the rest. You won't have a finished novel to give them, will you?

Second, if you send your synopsis before you actually finish it you are married to it. You won't be as free to change your plot/storyline/ending as you might see fit the further into the writing you get,

Well? Will you finish it? During that time you still won't be paid for doing it. There will be nobody screaming at you to get it done. Thus, will you really commit to doing it? To be on the safe side, I recommend writing it first.

As for me, I learn things about the characters and sub-plots while writing. I thus often need to go back and change things to correct little details that needed to be tweaked. I also work to better set up certain traits and facts that will be important later. Thus, once again I recommend writing it first.

Finally, 13 chapters? Is that all? How long is this NOVEL? If you are making each chapter over 5,000 words then you will be over 10,000 words with just your first TWO chapters. If you are making each chapter under 5,000 words, it is going to be short. I find myself again recommending that you write it first just to check length and pacing.

Finally, edit, edit, edit. Don't send it in until you are VERY certain it is worthy.

Take your time and do things properly. That is always the best way to do things.

TerishD wrote:

Well? Will you finish it? During that time you still won't be paid for doing it. There will be nobody screaming at you to get it done. Thus, will you really commit to doing it? To be on the safe side, I recommend writing it first.

As for me, I learn things about the characters and sub-plots while writing. I thus often need to go back and change things to correct little details that needed to be tweaked. I also work to better set up certain traits and facts that will be important later. Thus, once again I recommend writing it first.

Finally, 13 chapters? Is that all? How long is this NOVEL? If you are making each chapter over 5,000 words then you will be over 10,000 words with just your first TWO chapters. If you are making each chapter under 5,000 words, it is going to be short. I find myself again recommending that you write it first just to check length and pacing.

Finally, edit, edit, edit. Don't send it in until you are VERY certain it is worthy.

Take your time and do things properly. That is always the best way to do things.

Each chapter is between six to seven thousand words. Also, yeah, I think I'm going to wait until after I'm finished the tenth chapter before sending it in.