To Catch a Query

Hero wanted. Experience a must. Different agents and publishers want to see different things. There are some industry standards—such as a synopsis and query letter—that are almostnever change (heavy emphasis on “almost”). Then there are some that will vary from agent/publisher to agent/publisher.  Some will ask for the first chapter, first three chapters, first ten pages, first fifty pages, nothing but the query letter, nothing but the query letter and synopsis, etc., etc.  But...