When to query?

[carolinayellowdog]

Hey,

My past experience with publication offers no guidance, since the first couple of times I had complete mss. when querying, and the third time I got a contract just from a proposal. Now I'm about to finish the first chapter of four, and have completed a long introduction. I'm thinking about contacting an editor I know at a trade publisher who has said very promising things about my writing--even that he feels we are destined to work together some time. But when? One more chapter and the first draft is half complete. Should I wait until then or go ahead with just an intro and first chapter? On one hand I don't want to ruin everything by sending him an unripe first draft; on the other hand it would be fantastic to get some editorial advice during the writing of the first draft instead of afterwards.

What's the ideal point to start querying publishers? I hope this might be sooner for an already established author than for a novice, but don't want to push my luck.

CYD

[Last Lemming]

1. Fiction or

nonfiction--what did you publish previously and through whom?

[carolinayellowdog]

2. Nonfiction

Three historical studies of religious movements, published by a large university press in the Northeast. The new book is about the South so I was leaning toward a university press in the South, but early readers of the ms. have suggested that it rises above local or regional interest and might be worthy of a New York trade publisher.

Since the fellow to whom I refer in the op was so encouraging, he seems like a natural first choice. (I'm included in a collection he recently published, and provided an endorsement for a book he edited.) Even if he reads and rejects the ms. he will probably offer some helpful advice.

[Last Lemming]

3. I'm only working to publish

my second so I'm not an expert but. . . For nonfiction, I think you can get by with much less material than with a novel. A clear idea, a first chapter and an outline is probably enough to start contacting people. The next big question is: agent or not. The advantage with an agent is that he or she can do a book auction (as they did for mine) and you can get a much larger advance that way. Downside: it costs you 15%. In lieu of agent go to editor of your dream-publishing house and start moving down. Important: if you are sending your manuscript cold--call first and talk to the editor. You'll move along much faster if you do.

The easiest in your case is to take the devil you know. . .so you have quite a range of possibilities. Good luck!