Newbie, here, seeking advice! (I hope I'm posting in the right place - and that I'm not being redundant - I didn't see any recent threads on this topic).
I've been lurking for a bit and really like the tight-knit community here. You all seem very informed and savvy to this crazy agent/publishing world.
With that said, I have a question about doing revisions for agents who have NOT yet offered representation...
Here's the situation I'm in - I submitted 50 pages of my novel to an agent last June, and she asked to see the entire manuscript (exclusively). I sent it to her and 5 months later she sent back the entire manuscript with only a handwritten note suggesting a change for the first chapter (and adding "May resubmit"). I thought about it, agreed with her suggestion, worked hard on revising the opening, and sent it right back to her.
Today, not even six days after I'd sent it, I received the entire manuscript in the mail again. Inside was a brief letter - no comment at all regarding the revisions I'd made, but she'd added advice regarding Chapter 2 (it's pretty clear to me this agent hasn't read the entire manuscript, btw). At the end, again, "May resubmit."
Honestly, from the pattern I see being formed here, I'm starting to wonder if I'll end up just sending the entire manuscript and this agent will continue to read one chapter at a time, sending the whole thing back, suggesting changes. It's already cost me about $60 to send it twice (with SASE boxes), so it doesn't seem like a very good deal, on my end.
Curious to know what people think....is this a normal way to do re-writes for an agent who has not offered (or given a strong indication of ever offering) representation? I wish she would've just kept the whole manuscript and emailed me to see if I'd think about making changes. Sure would've saved me some money...
Thanks in advance for any opinions you can offer...