Stuff It!

So you've written what you think to be The Next Big Thing. It's polished, perfect, printed and, much to your delight, an agent has requested to see some or all of it. First of all, woohooo! Go you! Secondly...let's talk packaging, minions.

These, of course, are merely one humble writer's suggestions after a few years of poking my head around--take my words as you should any other bits of advice I offer--that is to say, at your own risk and with a grain of salt.

If the agent requests a partial (say the first three chapters or the first thirty pages, etc.), be certain to include a #10 SASE (for response) and a cover letter (which is basically a reminder of when they requested your pages, as well as a recap of your query--hey, agents are insanely busy people...cut 'em a break and remind them why they wanted to see those pages in the first place). Do NOT staple the manuscript. Slip your pages, SASE, and cover letter into (ideally) one of those cardboard Priority Mail envelopes and you're ready to go! Feel free to use a bubble-padded envelope or a manilla envelope, but trust me when I say that the cardboard Priority Mail envelopes are SO much nicer.

Now if the agent requests to see the full manuscript (!!!), then you need to include a cover letter, SASE and, depending on the agent, possibly a dreaded synopsis of your novel. Again I will say, do NOT bound your manuscript in any way! Simply wrap a rubber band around it, stuff it into a big, bubble-padded envelope and you're all set!

Now, this is very important...mark on either side of your envelope (this goes for both partials and fulls) "Requested Material". That way the agent knows that you're not just some schlub trying to sneak one by him or her.

And if you are a schlub thinking of sending an unsolicited manuscript to an agent...don't. They really dislike that and, need I say, minions, that that's seriously rude?