Don’t let it squash you
How to Understand a Rejection Letter
Unfortunately, I am going to pass on this.
We hate to read the dreaded words “unfortunately” and “pass.” Trust me. It’s hard to send them out. As a literary agent I read every single submission that comes my way and everything rides on those sample pages. Honestly, by a few pages in I already know if it’s going to be a request or a rejection. Do I stop there? No. I do keep pushing through to see if anything changes when reading the twenty pages submitted. However, every agent is different when it comes to style, interest, etc. It’s the same as playing the slot machine hoping to have that perfect match. Querying to agents isn’t for the faint of heart and it can certainly cause anxiety. After all, this is the author’s baby. That’s why I try to make the wait time not so long on a response. The best thing you can do once you hit that SUBMIT button is to keep moving forward. It also helps if you have a better understanding of the language used in a rejection letter.
Any form of rejection is difficult, but in the world of writing it is a common part of the journey. Should you quit and store the dream of becoming an author away? Absolutely not! The publishing industry is very subjective and I truly mean that. One agent might feel one way and another agent might feel another. It all boils down to realizing finding representation is a hunt to find the perfect home for your book and the right agent to grow your writing career. It takes time, but it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
The most common term in a rejection is “I didn’t connect.” This could mean the agent didn’t connect with the voice, the storyline, scenes, etc. Another term you might see is “not compelling.” By that, it could mean the pages didn’t grab the agent as strongly as they would have liked. You might also see the term “not a good fit.” This could mean simply that. The project isn’t right for the agent. Maybe they have a client with a similar storyline or the topic is something they feel wouldn’t work with their list. It’s one of those ‘it’s not you it’s me’ kind of things. I can only speak for myself. With that being said, here is my perspective on these terms when I send out a rejection letter.
For connection I like to really feel the characters from the start. I want to be in the scene right with them. Sometimes it’s the writing style that makes me, as a reader, feel disconnected by telling me instead of showing me. Another reason could simply be the storyline isn’t something I feel drawn to. It’s like shopping for a new car. You are test driving the vehicle, analyzing, even determining if it’s right for you or possibly your family/lifestyle. The same goes for sample pages…well, for me anyways. I’m testing them out to see is this the right project for me. Is the connection there to request a full manuscript?
Compelling is a word I use in my form rejection letters and that means the hook wasn’t there. It’s all about keeping the reader interested and if that’s weak then it’s a done deal. I try to give my submission a chance by reading all twenty pages to see is it going to pick up. One way an opening can lack compelling elements could be the storyline or pace of the story, how it’s told and even as simple as the character development. Are their personalities and voices bouncing off the pages, is there suspense, etc.? When that’s not strong then for me the story falls flat.
Not the right fit basically means for me that I’m not the right agent for this particular project. For example, if I receive a submission of a historical, I wouldn’t be the right fit as I don’t represent that genre. Another example could be a certain rom-com where I feel the storyline runs similar to one of my clients. It’s important that an agent feels confident in your book, so receiving these types of form letters doesn’t mean you have to change anything. It simply means finding the right person.
So, what to do with these rejection letters? Since this industry is very subjective, not every agent is going to feel the same. One might not like it while anther one is excited and ready to sign you. It’s a hit or miss kind of game, but if you are starting to collect the same message in your rejection letters with the same key terms then maybe you should take another look at your sample pages. For example, are you getting a lot of “no connection?” Read your opening chapters and see is it lacking something, could the voice be stronger, are the descriptions showcasing the scene well enough, and so on. The same can go with “not compelling.” Are the pages moving too slow? Is the emotion as strong as it can be? Could the opening scene have a better hook? All these factors could improve the outcome of your submission. However, at the end of the day, it’s important how you feel. If you feel full heartily that your sample pages are perfect in your eyes, then I encourage you to keep submitting because like I said this is such a subjective business and what matters is how you feel about your work.
I wish you all much luck in your submitting process and please know I’m truly rooting for you. Remember it only takes that one agent to love your book. Now go back out there and submit that story!