The Cold Submission

I sent what I call a cold submission to an agent a week or so ago. I had no contact with her, no personal connections, and I had not done a ton of research except online and in the Writer's Market. I sent my query letter (since revised twice) and the first three pages of the manuscript.

Three pages was all she wanted. How can you get an idea of a book in three pages? I certainly never would have made it through lots of books just based on the first three pages. Gravity's Rainbow anyone?

But at the same time, three pages is more than most agents want. They just look at your letter, usually including just a one- or two-paragraph letter. Is this intriguing? Is this something new? If so, they'll ask for the first 60 pages. If they like that, they ask for the whole shebang. Even then they might pass, of course.

Not even sure if the agent I sent the stuff to even got to the three pages, because she sent me a 'pass' within a few days of receiving it. I understand it is the first of many rejections, but I think I will focus on making any more cold submissions a little warmer. I need to continue to research and find someone who has represented a humorous book or two from a new author in the recent past.

That's my task. If you've read any fiction recently that made you laugh, please send the title on to me!