Query Response Round-Up: Week of 10/6/23
Another three weeks of querying gone by, so it’s time for a another response round-up. After a few weeks of crickets, the responses have started coming in more regularly. All rejections, but what are ya gonna do? Anyway, there are a couple of interesting rejections I thought I’d share. Let’s jump in.
First, here’s my overall query stats as of today.
- Total Queries: 44
- Rejections: 17
- Full Requests: 3
- CNR: 3
- Pending Queries: 21
- Pending Requests: 3
Rejections
I received six more rejections since I last posted one of these updates, and I want share two with you, mostly to illustrate how different agents handle form rejections.
Rejection #1 – 9/19/23
Thank you for thinking of me for SECOND DAWN. Unfortunately your project does not sound like a fit for me at this time, and so I will have to pass. Best of luck with your future queries, and I hope you’ll soon find the perfect advocate for your work.
This is a very standard form rejection. One paragraph, a simple no, well wishes, and out. Of the seventeen rejections I’ve received thus far, most look like this. But let’s look at the other end of the spectrum for form rejections.
Rejection #2 – 10/5/23
Thank you so much for your query. I appreciate the opportunity to consider your work, but unfortunately, after careful consideration, I have decided to bow out. I am truly sorry not to be able to offer you representation, and I wish you the very best of publishing luck as you move forward.
At [agency], we understand that writing is a passion, an intensely personal calling, a long-time dream for many, and frequently a lonely endeavor. We have great respect for authors, and we share the writer’s passion—that is why we are literary agents.
Unfortunately, publishing is a business that necessarily involves a lot of rejection, at every stage. One of the most difficult things for us as agents is to have to say no. Yet, we can take on only a small fraction of all the work we see, and this is simply a business reality.
We say no for many reasons—because of changing trends in the market; because we already have something similar on our list; because we know of similar published or forthcoming titles; because something isn’t right for us; because although something may be strong, well-written and even publishable, we didn’t fall in love with it.
Please do try to keep this one “no” in perspective. This is a highly subjective business and another agent may adore your work. All it takes is one “Yes.” We wish you success in finding that “Yes,” whether with us or another agent and publisher.
Thank you for thinking of us and giving us this opportunity to consider your work.
Vive la difference, huh? There is a lot of info in this form rejection (and I am fairly certain this is form rejection), and my initial reaction to that information was “I don’t need all this.” Then I thought about it, and, yeah, as a fairly seasoned pro, maybe I don’t need it, but there are folks who might. There are folks who are just beginning their publishing journey, and the information and words of encouragement in this rejection could go a long way. I mean, if you haven’t been submitting fiction for that last decade-plus, then you might not know that rejection is just part of the gig and a no doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. You might need to hear that, even in a form letter. So, kudos to this agent for their kind, informative rejection letter. I apologize that my crusty, jaded ass didn’t see its benefits right away. 🙂
The other four form rejections I received were very much like the first one I posted here, so no need to share those.
I still have three full manuscript requests pending, but they’re getting a little long in the tooth. According to the stats on QueryTracker, that’s pretty normal for one of the agents, but I might have to chalk up at least one of the subs as a CNR. Bleh.
Thoughts or questions about queries or these responses? Tell me about it in the comments.
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Aeryn Rudel's Rejectomancy 
Thanks, Aeryn! As always, this is pure gold for (fairly Newbie) writers like me. Looking forward to more insights here and best of luck on finding your book a home!