For your nonfiction proposals (see Chapter 12), you can send random sample chapters. But in your fiction proposals, it's crucial that you include the beginning chapters, ideally the first three or four. If you prefer, you can include the first fifty pages of your novel.

The following is one of the most common mistakes beginning fiction writers make in preparing their proposals. They send Chapter 3, Chapter 15, and Chapter 22, often because they think those are the most action-packed, the most dramatic, or the best-written parts of their manuscript. But agents and editors want to see how you set up a story. They want you to demonstrate your ability to draw the reader in and keep him engaged in the opening chapters. At this stage, agents and editors don't care about your fabulous ending; if you don't engage the reader from the very first sentence of the very first page, he isn't going to stick around for the ending anyway.

Another point to consider is this: If you feel that your third chapter is stronger than your first chapter, why do you feel that way? Your first chapter must compel the reader to keep reading. If you're not convinced an agent or editor will want to keep reading, then you're not ready to send out your proposal. Rework your beginning chapters until you're satisfied that they represent your best writing and storytelling skills.