Can I send a manuscript to agents and publishers?
When I am finished with my book, should I send it to various agents and publishers? I want my book out quickly, but I don’t want to self publish. I know that agents charge a percent of the royalties, but their letters are also on the top of the pile at publishing houses.
Also, is it okay to send a query letter with an unfinished manuscript (if I set a deadline)?
Thanks, in advance.
Hi,
Well, the first step is to finish your manuscript! 
If you start submitting too early before your book is ready, you could end up missing out on chances (since you generally can’t resubmit to the same editor or agent). So make sure to finish and revise thoroughly. Deadlines (I’m assuming you mean you would say when it’ll be done) won’t mean anything. They don’t know you can finish the book, as an unpublished writer, and they want to see a fully revised version.
Then, you need to decide whether to get an agent or not. Agents charge 15% of your advance and royalties. It can take a while to get an agent. You could wait up to several months to hear back on your queries to them (some respond much faster, of course, but it varies). It’s hard to get an agent. First, you have to do your research to make sure the agent is legitimate. Then you have to make sure they represent what you write, follow their submission guidelines, and send off what they ask for. And after that, if you’re getting rejections, you’ll want to revisit your query letter. If you get requests, send those off and prepare to wait for a response (again).
However, having an agent is definitely worth it. They do much more than get your manuscript to the top of the pile. They pitch it to the editors before sending, they can call and follow up to push for a response, they know the editors who will be a good fit for your book, they can get you read by publishers who don’t accept unsolicited submissions, they negotiate better terms for you if you get a contract. They will also be able to negotiate more money for you, so the 15% is not really a big deal.
You can also elect to submit directly to those publishers still accepting unsolicited manuscripts and queries, but the wait time can be even longer– sometimes up to a year– and you have no leverage.
Finally, don’t submit to agents and editors simultaneously because if you get an agent, they won’t be thrilled if you’ve already submitted to a ton of editors– it means they can’t shop it there.
DARE TO SUCK