You’ve been waiting on tenterhooks for an agent or publisher to get back to you about your book.
Now you have the letter – but you’re wondering exactly it means. Often, there’s so little information given in a rejection letter, that you’re left wondering how to decipher it.
Does this agent really like my book? Does the publisher hate it? Have they bothered to read it at all?
You’re left to make your own judgment – but 9 times out of 10, writers get this wrong.
To take the guesswork out of it, this is a quickie guide to what letters might say and what they probably mean.
- “We regret we’re unable to take on any new writers.”
Exactly that. Have they read your pitch? Probably not. - “Your synopsis and opening chapter have promise, but we already have a similar author on our list.”
You are right to feel encouraged. They can see the potential in your work. You just haven’t found the right person to represent you yet. - “I enjoyed reading your full MS. I just don’t feel passionate enough about it to represent you.”
High praise indeed. Agents and publishers are rushed off their feet. They don’t give praise lightly. They certainly wouldn’t bother reading a manuscript unless they thought it was publishable. - “The plot wasn’t compelling enough. The narrative was plodding.”
Time for a rewrite or a second opinion!
Rejection can sting at times. But remember that many famous writers faced rejection in their early years. Louisa May Alcott, Beatrix Potter, Agatha Christie, George Orwell to name but a few. So have faith in yourself and your abilities – and keep going!
