: Re: Can you pitch an outline? Here's my question: can you pitch an outline of a novel to an agent? I.e. you have two to three chapters complete to a high standard and at full outline of the

@Heady158

Vote Up Vote Down

To add a slight frame challenge to the mix:

You appear to have headed off in an awkward direction by wondering if you can take an outline and some reasonably polished directly to an agent. And while technically you can try, that route is highly unlikely to yield you anything more than polite smiles and nods at best. [And being black listed as an annoying time waster at worst...]

Instead you should be stepping back and asking where can you take a partial work and an outline and have something useful come of it.

Useful options include:

Directly to friends/test readers.

Care needs to be taken with who you select for initial test readers. You need people who can offer you useful feedback on how your work is progressing and where it is headed. It is far too easy to get caught getting 'trusted advice' from 'helpful friends' who do nothing but shower you with praise while not being able to give you grounded sensible feedback or discuss hard topics about your work.

A Writing Circle.

My personal favourite, but it can be difficult to find a group to join that fits well with your style and personality. Assuming you can find a group that is mature and serious about their craft then you can surround yourself with a group that is all in the same boat as you, which may make the critical discussions far more productive and useful. But remember: When you join a writing circle, the goal is to help improve the group as a whole rather than just your own work. Put the effort into the group if you expect the group to put any effort into you.

Classes.

Look at your local college or university for any writing courses that may be a fit your own project. [Double check the course policy on existing works, and have a chat with the instructors before bringing a piece you're seeking to extend.]

Your local Writing or Arts Guild.

Ultimately you may find yourself set up with some manner of the above suggestions, but if you have a strong local writing community then it can often be a great source of leads on where to get help and how to develop yourself and your work further.

(0)

Login to post a comment!