Very frequently things happen at the office that keep us talking and laughing for weeks to come, so to spread the wealth I thought I’d share a few with you.
I rarely say that there’s anything in a query letter that is an automatic, instant rejection, because truthfully you just never know. However, this particular line really did floor me, and made me burst out in laughter: “I do not think my book is a work of art but honestly I have read worse.”
Or how about this paraphrased reply to my rejection and suggestion that maybe the author work on strengthening the query: “your sniveling, self-indulgent reply to my query . . . I suspect your 'literary agency' is nothing more than a hobby that you use to make yourself feel superior to anyone unfortunate enough to ask you to read their work.” Oh, and it was signed off with a very professional, “go F--- yourself.”
Apparently our Web site isn’t nearly as clear as we think it is since I’ve received numerous emails of late asking for submission guidelines because the reader claimed that after reviewing the Web site she wasn’t able to find any. Maybe the link labeled “submissions” wasn’t big enough.
Jessica
Wow. I can always count on you for a laugh. :-) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDouble wow. Amazing what humor you can find in the general public.
ReplyDeleteI was a travel agent many years ago, and a woman actually *did* ask me how she could get on board that "new" train to Hawaii. I kid you not. Internet jokes spread round and round; I swear this really happened to me. It took all my professionalism to suggest that perhaps she drive to a port to take a cruise if she wanted a balmy vacation but didn't want to fly to get there :)
Thanks again for continuing to blog with useful tips and info! Hope you have a great weekend :)
Elaine
That is the trouble with email, we 'read' so much emotion and ill-will into it! I see that happen in business all the time. It makes me wonder what it would take for these writers to realize their commentary did not bring them closer to their goal... Hm, I sense a book theme coming on :-)
ReplyDeleteI've read worse? Seriously? LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe the reason these people ask for your submission guidelines is a hope that somehow the guidelines will change between your site and what you send. Could be people who want to submit the whole manuscript up front, and just can't believe you would tell them not to send it. *shrug*
buwahahahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteToo funny! Thanks for the laugh (especially the first one)...I needed it today.
Have you changes your form rejection? I have one on file and I don't see how it could be described as sniveling or self-indulgent.
ReplyDeleteJessica, Too funny! Although, I'd have to agree with the folks who've requested info on submission guidelines. After all, "Submissions" is a bit cryptic.;-)
ReplyDeleteBookEnds always sends lovely rejection letters! How dare they!
ReplyDelete“I do not think my book is a work of art but honestly I have read worse.”Well, you can't say they're deluded about their own talent. It's a common enough feeling among those who write, you're just not supposed to say it out loud. :)
The Writers Canvas...I got a good one for you. Years ago I worked at a reservations center for Carnival cruise lines but our office was in Colorado Springs. A TRAVEL AGENT knew that's where we were (we even discussed the weather) and then asked (in all seriousness) What ships do you have departing from CO?
ReplyDeleteI had a great response but my joke went over her head. The office laughed about that one for quite some time.
Lesson from this and today's post...THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK--OR WRITE.
You know, the submission page is a bit vague. Sadie & Roscoe don't list what sort of books they represent at all. Are they still taking queries? And how many books about Timmy being stuck down the well does a dog really want to read?
ReplyDeleteMan, I needed a laugh today. The way some people react to rejection isn't pretty. Lol!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I MIGHT smell but others REALLY stink - same sort of thing :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for that.
"Ooooh, well, my-my" she says with a raised eyebrow.
ReplyDeletePeople are unbelievable sometimes :P Thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's awesome. I know I could never be an agent because I would have to reply to that, like this: "Instead of honing your skills alienating the people who might someday be your business partners, perhaps you should fix that steaming turd you call a query?' But I'm not very nice, either. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen you snivel, let only snivel in print. Too funny.
ReplyDeleteSheeeeeeesh.
ReplyDeleteAnd people wonder why agents use the 'no response means no,' policy. Personally, I wouldn't want to have to deal with that kind of response. Even if they are worth a laugh or two, you've still wasted time opening up the email and reading it. Be nice if you could scan incoming mail for derogatory comments and have it then dumped in the spam filter.
ReplyDeleteI think that first author took the notion of being humble just a tad too far. lol. Amusing though.
Wow, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.
ReplyDeleteI've been rejected by you before I thought your letter was very nice and professional.
That was fun. Not sure I've met a sniveling rejection letter yet. Trying hard not to send sniveling queries.
ReplyDeleteOmg!lol! 'honestly I've read worse'? Oh yah, how to shoot yourself in the foot without even trying.
ReplyDeleteI read an interesting and very true piece of advice reacently, on receiving critism and rejections: "Be prepared for criticism and remove personal consideration from the equation. Negative judgment cannot harm us if we refuse to take it personal." Diane Wolfe. Sounds like maybe you need that on your letterhead, lol!
Well, that line *did* leave an impression and make the query memorable, right? :)
ReplyDeleteOmigosh!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe people write these things to you! Sounds like you get as much abuse for your honest opinions as Simon Cowell does!
I'm pretty sure that first query was written by my mother. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt would be really hilarious if the timid, unsure author of the query was the angry, bitter responder to the rejection. A Jekyll and Hyde scenerio :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, have received rejection letters from Jessica - very polite, very nice. And I had no problems finding the submission guidelines (but if you're looking for suggestions, maybe neon green with flashing arrows).
More writers would benefit from some basic college marketing/advertising classes. Knowing what are negative statements and words is a great skill to learn. Don't say what your product/service isn't. Say what it *is*. Don't say you can't do/offer. Say what you can do/offer.
ReplyDeleteThat enticed me to follow the link to the agency's website for the first time. Boy was that a mistake. The 'Latest Releases' box was all it took to erase a great deal of respect.
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me that there are people out there publishing that sort of tripe. (or reading it for that matter)
'Literary' agency indeed.
Someone doesn't have their happy pants on.
ReplyDeleteRomance is awesome. Sounds like you need to read a little to get out of that foul mood.
Is this a dumb question? In the bad old days of typewriters editors would ask us to underline phrases we wanted italicized. Since today we use computers, are we allowed to italicize in the manuscripts we submit? (I often use an Olivetti manual--I'm kind of retro that way.)
ReplyDeleteYou can, but I just had the typesetter in my galleys miss entire sections of text that needed to be in italics. They're tricky, and not so easy to see.
ReplyDeleteanon 6:09
ReplyDeletewhy are you even posting here? I agree with the second anon....you need a large cup of happy or something.....
Maybe to the "Go f- yourself" comment you might say, "If you could describe that in an innovative and compelling way, we might be in business."
ReplyDeleteOh dear. *shakes head*
ReplyDeleteQuote: "A TRAVEL AGENT knew that's where we were (we even discussed the weather) and then asked (in all seriousness) What ships do you have departing from CO?"
ReplyDeleteKaren, blame it on country music. I quote again:
"It won't be long 'fore my ship comes in; gonna sail right outa' Colorado...."
Maybe the link labeled “submissions” wasn’t big enough.
ReplyDeletePerhaps "manuscript guidelines" might offer a clue to the clueless.
I have nominated you for a lemonade stand award.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea where this idea come from (or what the end result will be), but as your blog is full of useful insights and a lot of great attitude, I have nominated you.
Anyone care to second it?
I'll have to remember to omit that line from all future queries and cover letters (though I know there are many books I've read that are much worse than anything I write).
ReplyDeleteAs for finding the link on the site...might I suggest a HUGE red button? There are a lot of people who just don't look closely at web sites.