Several months ago, I sent out some query letters for my book Henry Rider: Clown Hunter. Since then, I became unsatisfied with the final battle and ending I'd written, and I've been rewriting it over the past few weeks. Just a few hours ago, though, one of the agents got back to me saying they wanted to see more of the book (cue very un-masculine squeal). Problem is, the query I sent them had a two page summary of the book as it was back then. Is it okay for me to give them the rewritten version if they request the whole book, or do I need to give them the old version that I described in the summary?
Several months ago, I sent out some query letters for my book Henry Rider: Clown Hunter. Since then, I became unsatisfied with the final battle and ending I'd written, and I've been rewriting it over the past few weeks. Just a few hours ago, though, one of the agents got back to me saying they wanted to see more of the book (cue very un-masculine squeal). Problem is, the query I sent them had a two page summary of the book as it was back then. Is it okay for me to give them the rewritten version if they request the whole book, or do I need to give them the old version that I described in the summary?
If you start explaining yourself with writing proffesionals you may create confusion - that way leads questions and possibly doubts. Keep calm, rewrite the old ending but most importantly don't overwrite or delete the new version, save both seperatley. Once the agent is immersed further in your story, then consider whether you wish to let them have the alternate ending. It is important that you show them you believe in your story. In any case the agent may suggest you rewrite the ending.
Imagine how amateurish you will come across if you tell them "hey actually, I'm rewriting the ending this very moment! Yeah the book was supposed to have been finished but you know..." Keep your original ending. Let it sink or swim and then you'll know for sure if it even needs changing.
You don't send out queries until you are done with the book, period. After they're out, you change things only at the behest of an agent or a publisher. If you're still making changes, you do not query. A query is a promise. Go back to what you promised and let it sink or swim on that basis.
I would send your best version of the story whatever that is. If your new ending is that much better, who cares what your query said? True, it's not really good to make such switches when you're in the process of finding an agent (better to make them before you start to query), but what counts is the story and the writing. If the new ending is so much better that the agent is going to forget all about how it was described to them in your pitch, it really isn't going to matter. You get one shot with each agent. Make it count and give them your best.
But then I wouldn't tell the agent at all. I'd send the manuscript with the new ending and let the agent find out when she gets to it. Once you've hooked her with a good book, like you say, she isn't going to care it's different from the query. But if he told her now, before she starts reading, I don't think that'd be good.
I'm on the side of sending out the one you prefer. And not mentioning it! They understand what writers are like, but complicated explanations will get in the way.
Send the new thing. If she even notices and inquires about the difference, just offer to send her the changed chapter if she didn't like the ending. And then she'll be like: "Oh, no, it was great. I was just curious." and voila, publishing deal.
