Can I Send My Manuscript If It Isn't Finished

You see the end on the horizon. You have been writing like crazy but now, you know exactly how your story is going to end. It is just a matter of having the time to write, but even then, it is all mapped out on your calendar. You can do this! And then, you see that the agent or editor you have been following is open to submissions and your story (when it is finished) is exactly what they want.

Do you send in the project?

This is a tough one, because, like everything in publishing, it all depends.

In my humble opinion, I would argue absolutely NOT! "But Scott, they want my story! This might be my only chance!" 

Here is the issue. If I send out a #MSWL to everyone it means I am actively looking for a project right now. I am not looking for something 6 months from now. I mean I want it now. There is a chance that I have an editor who is eager to find this story. Maybe I have a hot new lead. Maybe for an editor, they have a couple of slots to fill and are looking for that complete project now.

Now, if you can write like crazy and get that project to them within 2 weeks and it is ready to go to press, then I think you have a chance. Of course, this depends on if they want a full now or not. If they are just looking for a partial or a query, then you have a little bit of wiggle room, but not much. 

What often happens is that we get this great project showing up in our inbox and we get excited. This is exactly what we are looking for. BUT, if you are still writing and you still have to do edits or send it to your critique group, the project you pitched may end up not being what we asked for. On another level, if we are sitting around and waiting, that editor who wanted the project now will likely have moved on to someone new and you lost your chance.

The reality is that we want YOUR BEST WRITING! If it is going to take you time then use the time. I promise, we will be here. Sure, that #MSWL might have gone away, but there is a pretty dang good chance we will still want something similar in the future.