tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post7085700790670967045..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Dissecting the Form Rejection LetterBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22622921315983410782010-10-15T11:58:15.399-04:002010-10-15T11:58:15.399-04:00I have a question in regards to this post. Should ...I have a question in regards to this post. Should I be worried the rejections I've received appear to be form letters? Even rejections received after the agent/editor has read the full ms?Denisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-42597156052968502762010-10-13T00:35:27.400-04:002010-10-13T00:35:27.400-04:00I recieved word one of the top selling agents in t...I recieved word one of the top selling agents in the world wanted to see my full manuscript,with a reply time of less than four days. He sent me a rejection, without any feed back and the wrong name! I often wonder if he mistaked my submission for something strange and didn't notice he requested it!I dont even know if I should resubmit with the words "Requested" on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-73449154199715763082010-08-25T10:11:52.036-04:002010-08-25T10:11:52.036-04:00I am always mystified at how people with incredibl...I am always mystified at how people with incredibly long comments remain anonymous. You may have something poignant to say, however without the courtesy of a name, I ignore and wish I could delete. That being said: form letter rejections? Absolutely.<br /><br />Consider: A well known interior decorator visits your home, you immediately chime off ten reasons why you absolutely love your living area and the interior decorator rebuts with why the room sucks. Would you wish that? Or would you wish to hear a blanched regurgitation? Not to mention, the interior decorator's sister is the one that decorated your space, promising everyone would love it. Do you see my point?<br /><br />This is a business. Not everyone is meant to be heard: if not by talent, by timing. Submit, submit, submit. What one person loves, another could hate.<br /><br />I used to be a karaoke host and judged many contests. I understand why specific reasons are not offered. My standard response to the wide-grinned singer that gave their heart and soul but will never, ever be heard (or should be heard) on a professional level was: "While you got the audience involved, it wasn't due to your vocals". That, in itself is abrupt; however, better than saying "You have no business believing that you can sing".<br /><br />We are all artists and whenever we submit our writing, even to family and friends, we are opening up our world to be changed by the voices of those we trust. What we think is brilliant might be perceived by everyone as trite; adversely, what we think is the suckiest POS, others might herald as the second coming. I just try to remember one thing: Do I write to make everyone happy, or do I write to make myself happy and hope all others fall in line with my personal brand of insanity?Actagamuthttp://actagamut.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-81334280801317966872010-01-15T14:30:38.695-05:002010-01-15T14:30:38.695-05:00This post made me realize that a lot of thought mu...This post made me realize that a lot of thought must go into each rejection. <br /><br />So much vitriol out there is directed at agents, and I don't get it.<br /><br />The agents I've come in contact seem to be professional and...humane. <br /><br />For every single one of you out there who take the time to give personal feedback, encouragement, or guidance: I thank you, you are golden. <br /><br />Sometimes, when an agent rejects, they leave a parting gift: insight. <br /><br />I'll take it! Thanks...jmartinlibraryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11518086626337975099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35991721579072469882009-11-16T17:23:33.661-05:002009-11-16T17:23:33.661-05:00I can empathize with agents who have a large load;...I can empathize with agents who have a large load; and I obviously empathize with writers who are putting themselves (and our creations) out there. But honestly, "no thanks" is a really rude rejection from an agent. Such is what I just received.<br /><br />I wrote a Query exactly as asked (1st paragraph this, 2nd paragraph that, 3rd paragraph the other), wrote well and kindly, included exactly as much of the book as requested and, true!, did NOT include it as an attachment but rather in the body of the letter.<br /><br />I'm sorry, but "no, thanks" just is rude.<br /><br />And they want our respect and empathy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91867672526660670592009-10-12T06:11:23.201-04:002009-10-12T06:11:23.201-04:00Wow, there are a lot of different opinions on here...Wow, there are a lot of different opinions on here, and I read them all!<br /><br />I think professionalism as a writer is extremely important. I've blogged about this multiple times so new writers can learn. I really hate those people who think their writing is flawless and brilliant. They ruin it for everyone else. Agents should not have to deal with people like this. It sucks, and I feel bad for them.<br /><br />However, for me, I feel like some writers forget that they are the talent. Without us, agents wouldn't have jobs. We are the ones who work our asses off creating manuscripts that have only the slimmest chances of going anywhere. They are not always good or right for that agent, but still.<br /><br />On a normal query, a form rejection is fine and appropriate, but no response, in my opinion, is extremely rude. I take offense, and actually think twice before querying these agencies. It takes a lot of time and effort to get all the materials agents want in the way they want with proper formatting etc. I personalize the letter and research the agent. I spend so much of my own time that I feel a form rejection is deserved.<br /><br />Moving on to partials and fulls. At this stage, I really think an agent should try to say something, anything to the writer. <br /><br />A lot of people have said this isn't the agent's job. Well...it kind of is. We are the ones looking to essentially "hire" them. We are using their services to market our work. <br /><br />I love agents. I know they work very hard, and I don't mean this as anything against them! I just feel like writers' time is undervalued because there are so many of us fighting for a single agent's time. In a perfect world, all agents would want to help writers because then we will be more inclined to think of them in the future. But now-a-days, I feel like they don't care because, as someone mentioned, there are a hundred others like me.<br /><br />I'm so sorry this turned into a 3am rant, I'm just trying to respectfully voice my opinion. I can't change the way things are, but I don't have to like it either.<br /><br />Also, one quick thing. I got a rejection for an anthology several weeks ago. It was a form letter and it was just fine. However, a few weeks later, I inquired about the special edition and got an incredible personalized response to my story. She explained how this one detail completely turned her off from the story (she misunderstood it, but that's not the point). That helped me so much, and now I want to send more work in to her anthology. She encouraged me to send more work as well. I feel like this more of the type of relationship we need with agents. Her anthology was largely unknown and she wants writers to send work in so she treats me as if I have helped her out by submitting. In a way, I have, because now she has more pieces to chose from. Did that make any sense to anyone else?<br /><br />In my humble opinion, agents and writers need each other. We both work very hard, and I feel like if I'm putting so much effort in, so should they.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78315961927010638712009-07-28T16:44:32.090-04:002009-07-28T16:44:32.090-04:00When you get a rejection letter, are you supposed ...When you get a rejection letter, are you supposed to write back to the publisher thanking them for their time? Or does that just annoy them? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-7657665189386117832009-02-05T10:13:00.000-05:002009-02-05T10:13:00.000-05:00As a magazine editor who has come across more than...As a magazine editor who has come across more than enough examples of writing that "just doesn't do it for me," I completely understand where she's coming from. I've learned that editing other people's work can take longer than re-reporting a story myself, and the same can seem true in fiction (not that a lot of agents are trying to also write novels). A form rejection is fine. But I still cherish a rejection I received for a short story that told me the characters were "wispy" and while the editor saw promise, ultimately she chose not to go with it at that time. A good rejection can be a wonderful boon to a writer.Matt Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07171715051853671712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63089144254536972312009-02-01T21:48:00.000-05:002009-02-01T21:48:00.000-05:00Jessica,Your blogs are extremely helpful, and poss...Jessica,<BR/><BR/>Your blogs are extremely helpful, and possibly the most helpful advice for publishing books online. I look forward to reading more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-39231020795415364512009-01-31T20:56:00.000-05:002009-01-31T20:56:00.000-05:00I think that giving at least a bit of feedback on ...I think that giving at least a bit of feedback on a full would be good. Form rejections on partials are understandable, but if you wanted to see the full, there had to be something redeamable and something that didn't quite sell it.<BR/><BR/>I think that saying that it was well-written and developed but not to your personal taste would be a very kind rejection. At least the author would know that it's a personal taste thing and not something that definetly needs fixing. (If that makes sense...)Jessica Milnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993253751908772349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14144594346702307882009-01-31T20:43:00.000-05:002009-01-31T20:43:00.000-05:00If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times...If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times. I love the form! I would rather have the form than the personalized rejection. I have never, ever, learned anything useful from a personal rejection. Once you've heard the word "no," there is no more you need to hear. Form letters are quick, easy and painless.Margaret Yanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464624057491288244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46333188087932741302009-01-31T13:47:00.000-05:002009-01-31T13:47:00.000-05:00My favorite rejection was when the agent sent me a...My favorite rejection was when the agent sent me a rejection about 3 months after they'd already sent me a rejection on the same submission.<BR/><BR/>:-)T. M. Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726033990784930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90735060852549394822009-01-31T05:10:00.000-05:002009-01-31T05:10:00.000-05:00I think the newer a writer is, the more important ...I think the newer a writer is, the more important a *personal* rejection is. After receiving many on various project, all it means is "This isn't the right agent for my project", and not "My project is worthless." <BR/><BR/>I certainly understand why an agent would not have time to open a dialog with a writer whose project she has no interest in representing.<BR/><BR/>I got a really good rejection letter once: ""Thank you so much for your query. Unfortunately, this doesn’t sound right for me. I encourage you to continue to submit elsewhere, and I wish you every success in your writing career. Thanks again for thinking of me."<BR/><BR/>Polite, gentle, encouraging, and yet I wouldn't be surprised to learn it IS a form letter.<BR/><BR/>I suppose it all depends on the form.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53162036042030445552009-01-30T23:02:00.000-05:002009-01-30T23:02:00.000-05:00I decided to do an agent search after my second bo...I decided to do an agent search after my second book came out. I did an agent search (this was long before I met Jessica) and the rejection letter said something scathing about my voice and story, including that my work would never sell. I think I would have prefered a form.<BR/><BR/>The funny thing is, my editor bought the same book two weeks later and a month after that offered me a continuity book contract for sale #4. So thank God that agent rejected me, even if it was harsh.<BR/><BR/><BR/>So I agree with anonymous 2:27. Glean what you can and never let a rejection become a blocker. Who knows what the next agent or editor might think?<BR/><BR/>The best strategy is to put the rejection letter aside, pat yourself on the back for being brave and submitting (for there are so many out there that don't and thus never get anywhere) and get back to writing and trying elsewhere. And good luck. <BR/><BR/>MicheleMichele Dunawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11683297130591848826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69838950730568726112009-01-30T22:38:00.000-05:002009-01-30T22:38:00.000-05:00Feedback is useful, but you can't dwell too much o...Feedback is useful, but you can't dwell too much on whether you get it or not. And quite frankly, if you're unprofessional enough to be taking Jessica to task over how much feedback you're getting? You haven't got what it takes to make it yet.<BR/><BR/>The mark of a true professional is someone who acts with grace in all situations, deals with the consequences and moves on. Work forward and be someone agents and editors want to work with.<BR/><BR/>The worst outcome for us all would be if those writers who cannot control their rejection-indignation managed to impact on blogs like this; blogs that the rest of us find incredibly interesting and useful.<BR/><BR/>It's members of the rabid slush pile that created the invention of the form rejection, you know. Don't be one of them. Just don't do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56971609012113292912009-01-30T22:18:00.000-05:002009-01-30T22:18:00.000-05:00I'm not an agent, but I am a writing teacher, and ...I'm not an agent, but I am a writing teacher, and I know that it takes time to make comments that are helpful, specific and tactful. I don't expect that agents need to do it if they've decided not to represent me--they're not making any profit off it, and if it were my agent I'd want her to be working on the project that's going to make her money--selling my book.<BR/><BR/>And because agents have limited time and energy, they need to choose their projects. I'm sure sometimes the reason for rejection is just "I didn't choose it." If the agent had boundless time and energy, he or she could take on projects that are simply "not bad."<BR/><BR/>I think of it this way: a few days ago, I went to Borders, picked up a few books in the store, sampled them, then put them back on the shelf. If the authors of those books had stopped me at the door, and asked me to explain my decision so that they could write the next book in a way that I'd buy it, I wouldn't say, "That book was terrible and I don't think it deserved to be published." I wouldn't say, "I'd probably buy it if you changed the main character to a woman." In all honesty, I'd say, "Sorry, not today." It's right for someone, and maybe it will be right for me if I see it again in a different mood. There was certainly something about it that made me want to have the option to browse the whole thing. But I don't know if I'll have time to read it this week, and I have other reading keeping me busy.<BR/><BR/>Since agents are trying to predict the behavior of thousands of bookstore shoppers, they kind of have to think the same way. If they feel like putting it back on the shelf, it's possible that most people browsing it will just put it back. They have to trust the impulse to say, "Sorry, not for me, not today."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82964088570837038052009-01-30T21:07:00.000-05:002009-01-30T21:07:00.000-05:00I don't think its your job to explain the rejectio...I don't think its your job to explain the rejection. If you do make a more personalizied comment that's great and very appreciated, but still not mandatory. <BR/>I've had rejections that are forms and I've had personalized letters. One agent even wrote in the margins of the form letter. All of that was like finding treasure and helped a lot. But form rejections are part of the game and shouldn't be taken personally. Writers need to have a tough skin. I think agents are much too busy and I'd rather you just just keep reading!Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-12910727499425478732009-01-30T19:25:00.000-05:002009-01-30T19:25:00.000-05:00Of course agents aren't obligated to give feedback...Of course agents aren't obligated to give feedback, esp if they don't care enough to comment. <BR/><BR/>If an agent isn't "in love" w/ my story, then s/he doesn't "get it" and I wouldn't want that person representing me anyway. So it works both ways!<BR/><BR/>But if an interesting ms. has one or two obvious, (easily?) fixable flaws like "main character unsympathetic" or "confusing plot" or "hero too dark" or "too many subplots," agents would do writers a huge favor by jotting that down or mentioning in the rejection.<BR/><BR/>Only when two different editors gave me the same feedback on my first chapter did I realize it had a problem, and it was fairly easy to revise.<BR/><BR/>Why not try helping out some promising writers? You may be pleasantly surprised...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-31373042544420377552009-01-30T18:49:00.000-05:002009-01-30T18:49:00.000-05:00I agree with Devon.I don't really want extra advic...I agree with Devon.<BR/><BR/>I don't really want extra advice that I'm not sure if I should take--what if the next agent feels the opposite? But it would be nice to have a little explanation if a full was requested and read.Heather Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11634399663804195312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36360505223486910622009-01-30T18:34:00.000-05:002009-01-30T18:34:00.000-05:00I don't think agents are or should be obligated to...I don't think agents are or should be obligated to give feedback on partials or fulls, but, goshdarnit, nothing is more frustrating than getting a form rejection letter back on a requested full! Especially if the agent or editor has had it for months and months. To get all that way, spending all that time, expending such extrordinary energy, and end up with zilch...not even one personal word...not even 'What? No blood-sucking dead guys? It'll never sell.' Sigh. Makes me want to take up chicken farming instead. Seriously.Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62725823571296221662009-01-30T17:03:00.000-05:002009-01-30T17:03:00.000-05:00In most of the rejections I've gotten, I've been l...In most of the rejections I've gotten, I've been lucky (?) enough to get personalized feedback (and one from Jessica, too). But, after all is nicely said and done, it's still a rejection--so while I am happy someone thought I was good enough to get a little more in-depth, it's still a rejection. Turn it around--would you want a personalized rejection or a form 'yes?' I appreciate that agents spend the time at all reading, I would think it's above and beyond to offer critique for someone they have no intention of working with.Megan Framptonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17196738392230684978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67693478133794844992009-01-30T15:42:00.000-05:002009-01-30T15:42:00.000-05:00A form rejection is fine with me on queries and pa...A form rejection is fine with me on queries and partials. What really annoys me is when agents don't respond at all.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-80578902697604416962009-01-30T14:58:00.000-05:002009-01-30T14:58:00.000-05:00Personally, I have found the best way for writers ...Personally, I have found the best way for writers to understand the form rejection letter is to read first page or pitch crits like those you've done, or the recent on on Miss Snark's First Victim blog, or the like. After reading fifty or more pitches or first pages, you really do get to the point where you understand what "not right for me" means...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17284327294742408902009-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:002009-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:00I got feedback from more than one agent with offer...I got feedback from more than one agent with offers to resubmit, so I'm thinking I can add something that may help. If the agent finds the story compelling, she/he will either write or call you with comments & an offer to resubmit. If that doesn't happen, then move on to the next agent and keep moving on until you find someone who connects with your writing. Getting comments back from an agent who doesn't "get" your writing isn't really helpful. In fact you may make changes to a MS only to find the next agent disagrees. Listen to your own inner voice and listen to agents who are excited about your story. And if you don't find anyone interested, set the book aside and work on the next one. After a few months, you may be able to look at the old MS with a fresh perspective and understand why it didn't generate interest. Hope that helps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69889068411594154962009-01-30T14:25:00.000-05:002009-01-30T14:25:00.000-05:00Jessica, that was eye-opening. I had never really ...Jessica, that was eye-opening. I had never really put myself in your position and thought about what I would do. <BR/><BR/>I agree if a story doesn't grab you, it just doesn't. There is no amount of advice to change this, rewrite that, modify something else, that will fix it for you. It just wasn't interesting. <BR/><BR/>Great post. <BR/><BR/>www.twitter.com/thenextwriterDouglas L. Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464336475343873739noreply@blogger.com