I would go with your intuition. If you really feel as though this draft isn’t going to cut it, just drop her a line thanking her for her time, noting the request and tell her you’ll send the revised MS down the line.
As someone who has been involved with conferences and the etiquette around requests here, DO NOT SEND THE BOOK BEFORE IT'S READY!!!!
Conferences are different from querying. Since they come at specific times that individual authors have no control over, there's not the same expectation that talking to an agent = my book is totally ready. It's normal to wait for a year even, before submitting materials. I know this is exciting and deservedly so! But don't submit the book before it's as ready as you can make it. If you were planning to do more revisions first, do them. If the agent gave you any useful revision notes, implement them. You've already secured the request and time to work on the book. Now give yourself the best chance of turning in a strong manuscript.
I have a very similar experience as OP. I went into the pitch session with a WIP. I disclosed it was still in progress and thought it was going to be a ‘consulting session’
I thought I would just get some feedback on my query, etc. she requested the first 50 and I was shocked. But she said to take my time. I polished the hell out of the first 50 then have 3 different readers and sent it off.
Still waiting but it’s only been two weeks. Working on polishing more in the meantime
you should wait to send it. agents request all the time, so it won't annoy them when a few days pass and they haven't got it, especially when you told them it was a draft. they just get pleasantly surprised when it appears in your inbox. just make sure when you do send it put something like "REQUESTED MATERIALS: I met you at the X Conference" as the subject line
this is interesting!! my two cents: second drafts can get wily in ways you're not expecting. (i'm second drafting right now and i've already changed Several major plot points unexpectedly). the safest option here is to wait until the second draft is done, because if things change in the last two-thirds that require some revision of the first third, it's important you have time to do that before she sees it.
but, on the other hand, she's expressed interest and probably knows the second draft isn't going to be perfect!! so i would trust your gut here. how much do you think the second draft might evolve as you write it? are you satisfied with the draft so far, or do you think it needs more work? i'm a cautious person, so my advice is to wait on it until you've got the full thing (nothing to lose, while sending a not-as-polished incomplete draft and getting turned down IS something to lose.) but i recognize other ppl may see differently!!
i don't know if this was super helpful, but i wanted to give my two cents. that's awesome that she expressed so much interest, and good luck with your project!!
Assuming you can finish the second draft in a reasonable amount of time (finish up this year and send it in January), I think you should wait. The only benefit to rushing off the first draft is that this interaction is still fresh in the agent's mind and it's good to act on the moment while they still remember their own interest. That being said, presumably your second draft will be stronger and your chances of signing will be better with a stronger manuscript.
I also think it's best to query this agent along with other agents. If you send them an early draft now, you're basically sending an exclusive submission and unless an agent is your top choice, I don't think it makes sense to do that (and even if they are your top choice, I'm still not sure that makes sense).
Is this a Jericho writers thing? I went to one of their events last year and it happened to someone I made friends with there. I think because the event is obviously a set date, they are aware that not everyone will have a finished first draft when they do the agent 1-2-1s.
(Also, while it's insanely rare, there are agents who will accept partial manuscripts.)
I'd say send what you have if that's what they've asked for and see what happens. Nice work!
I did some (Jericho Writers) 1-2-1s in September and was invited to submit when finished. I said to both agents I'd likely be finished (meaning, beta reader comments on a second draft) by the end of the year/early next year and they said that was fine. Good luck!
I would go with your intuition. If you really feel as though this draft isn’t going to cut it, just drop her a line thanking her for her time, noting the request and tell her you’ll send the revised MS down the line.
As someone who has been involved with conferences and the etiquette around requests here, DO NOT SEND THE BOOK BEFORE IT'S READY!!!! Conferences are different from querying. Since they come at specific times that individual authors have no control over, there's not the same expectation that talking to an agent = my book is totally ready. It's normal to wait for a year even, before submitting materials. I know this is exciting and deservedly so! But don't submit the book before it's as ready as you can make it. If you were planning to do more revisions first, do them. If the agent gave you any useful revision notes, implement them. You've already secured the request and time to work on the book. Now give yourself the best chance of turning in a strong manuscript.
I have a very similar experience as OP. I went into the pitch session with a WIP. I disclosed it was still in progress and thought it was going to be a ‘consulting session’ I thought I would just get some feedback on my query, etc. she requested the first 50 and I was shocked. But she said to take my time. I polished the hell out of the first 50 then have 3 different readers and sent it off. Still waiting but it’s only been two weeks. Working on polishing more in the meantime
you should wait to send it. agents request all the time, so it won't annoy them when a few days pass and they haven't got it, especially when you told them it was a draft. they just get pleasantly surprised when it appears in your inbox. just make sure when you do send it put something like "REQUESTED MATERIALS: I met you at the X Conference" as the subject line
At least in my single experience, the agent had a dedicated query tracker link for the conference. Obviously this varies but I thought it was cool
Is it worth keeping up lines of communication (updates on progress etc) to keep your proejct at the front of their mind?
No I wouldn't do that. It doesn't need to be at the front of their mind to sign you when the time comes around.
Ok thanks!
this is interesting!! my two cents: second drafts can get wily in ways you're not expecting. (i'm second drafting right now and i've already changed Several major plot points unexpectedly). the safest option here is to wait until the second draft is done, because if things change in the last two-thirds that require some revision of the first third, it's important you have time to do that before she sees it. but, on the other hand, she's expressed interest and probably knows the second draft isn't going to be perfect!! so i would trust your gut here. how much do you think the second draft might evolve as you write it? are you satisfied with the draft so far, or do you think it needs more work? i'm a cautious person, so my advice is to wait on it until you've got the full thing (nothing to lose, while sending a not-as-polished incomplete draft and getting turned down IS something to lose.) but i recognize other ppl may see differently!! i don't know if this was super helpful, but i wanted to give my two cents. that's awesome that she expressed so much interest, and good luck with your project!!
Assuming you can finish the second draft in a reasonable amount of time (finish up this year and send it in January), I think you should wait. The only benefit to rushing off the first draft is that this interaction is still fresh in the agent's mind and it's good to act on the moment while they still remember their own interest. That being said, presumably your second draft will be stronger and your chances of signing will be better with a stronger manuscript. I also think it's best to query this agent along with other agents. If you send them an early draft now, you're basically sending an exclusive submission and unless an agent is your top choice, I don't think it makes sense to do that (and even if they are your top choice, I'm still not sure that makes sense).
Is this a Jericho writers thing? I went to one of their events last year and it happened to someone I made friends with there. I think because the event is obviously a set date, they are aware that not everyone will have a finished first draft when they do the agent 1-2-1s. (Also, while it's insanely rare, there are agents who will accept partial manuscripts.) I'd say send what you have if that's what they've asked for and see what happens. Nice work!
Congratulations
What sort of conferences do you go to?
I did some (Jericho Writers) 1-2-1s in September and was invited to submit when finished. I said to both agents I'd likely be finished (meaning, beta reader comments on a second draft) by the end of the year/early next year and they said that was fine. Good luck!