Calling All Writers

The agent wants to see these documents--which you would write once she became your agent--BEFORE she takes you on. If your manuscript is great, but your pitch and synopsis aren't anywhere near good, that will affect her ability to get your manuscript accepted by a publisher.

Consider it a form of your own control over your work. You would want to write these documents to make sure they fairly represented your work. And many publishers will request these documents either with a full manuscript or BEFORE they are even willing to read the manuscript itself.

If you doubt the agent, look up the agency on Preditors and Editors online. They are the most up-to-date source for which agents and editors are shady. And drop any prospective agent who asks for money up front (for copies, etc.) before a book deal is made. Agents for books are just like Realtors... they get money when you do, and not before.

I thought I'd help out since I'm a freelance editor and get these questions all the time, but Shakespeare pretty much said it all. The whole MS gives them an idea of the quality of your work, but they'll need the others to sell your work to a publisher. Do NOT pay an agent in advance, and do check out Preditors and Editors.

I don't really know, but since you haven't received an answer, I will respond with what I think.

I think it's common to request that. You can check out Merriam-Webster's "Manual for Writers and Editors." It looks like they still publish it, and it has all the common procedures for publishing.

Did you send her the original entire whole manuscript?
Or a copy?

Just ASK her... 'why' she needs those things.

Does she correspond to you via e-mail or on phone?
Tell her to send her request to your e-mail.
That way you have documentation, too.

Anyway, a pitch paragraph and 2 page synopsis, is different than the manuscript. It serves, 2 different purposes.

If alarm bells are going off..., well do you know anyone else in the business? Ask them, IF this is the usual protocol.

the bottom-line is: YOU are the owner of the manuscript.
I hope you did not mail her the 'original'.
And, that you get everything in writing or having her sign off on anything etc., or that you have any correspondence, from her.

The bottom-line is: IF YOU are wondering about something and the process and her rationale... just ASK HER, why.

I do not have any experience with anything like this but I'll put my 2 cents in here, as well. I have 2 thoughts on this: 1. It sounds totally normal to request these items & if it's something they always want, then even though you've sent the full manuscript, they may want what they want, just because, well, just because. 2. If you have warning bells, you likely ought to steer clear. The older I get the more I know that my intuition is not just sometimes right, it is ALWAYS right. We have it for a reason, & that's to keep us safe, so if something is niggling at the back of your head telling you to stay away, then stay away you should.

I would assume if she is going to publish the item, she wants your pitch paragraph and your two page synopsis... What you believe are the best excerpts from your novel. It gives her a better understanding of where you are focused and how you intend to sell this book.

Why are alarm bells going off? If you are intending to publish a book, you have written it and if they were to sell it without your consent, you have the law on your side.