This is such a great post and so true. I'm a traditionally published author of 55 books and I still get rejected AND from some of my favourite editors, ones who I work closely with on other projects. Maybe it's just not what they need right now or the sales team doesn't think it will sell in the current climate or someone just handed something in similiar and I missed the opportunity. It's a business and there are multiple reasons. The trenches are hard, really hard. Keep trying. My agent had a book of mine for over four years. My favourite editor rejected it but she kept trying and finally it found a home with a smaller house.
First, I received a terrific, personal rejection from you, which I appreciated. I love this post, because we do stare at our screens looking for clarity!
I try to frame rejection the way I look at my personal reading list--Sally Rooney's books have been recommended to me by over a dozen people. Is she great? Without a doubt. Will I ever read her books? Probably not--because they "aren't right for my list." That doesn't take away from her amazing talent, it speaks to my reading lean.
I understand the intent behind "I didn't fall in love," but it lands hard for me and feels personal. My favorite form rejection for a truly unsolicited query is the “Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, this isn’t the right fit for my list.” I assume that I'm a Sally Rooney for them. ;)
It's incredibly hard, as you say, to have so many 'almosts' - 'your writing is beautiful', or: 'I've spent a long time with this book'. Owch!!!!
But what about this one, which has come up: 'I'm not sure about the break-out...'
Makes me think that publishers are after a single kind of blockbuster romantacy or modern thriller that's a dead-cert.
I was proud of my originality - to my knowledge there are no other literary non-fiction narrative memoirs concerning the life and profession of a therapist, her client stories, how she's come at her own life, and how she cares for herself by cycling adventures in the forest, and beyond.
'Niche' feels good - original!
'Niche' feels bad - 'worried about the break-out potential'.......
I hear what you say, patience, grit, keeping on going after the no's are what wins the race ☺️
Here's the thing...if there is nothing else out there like yours, agents and editors may think "who will buy this? Where will it go on a bookshelf?" If there's nothing else out there with any similarities to yours, it raises the questions of...why? And makes your book a risk. Instead of focusing on the originality, talk to agents about the *elements* you have that are similar to other titles while your original concept will make it stand out. What others have a similar voice to yours? Buyers of what memoirs would also buy yours? Readers of what books would also appreciate/need yours?
With the (element) of (book title), but with a focus on (insert your originality)
Thanks for this post. Sometimes getting a form rejection no is the worst thing in the world, but I like how you've framed it. It IS a business, and I don't want to have someone working with me who isn't as passionate about the project as I am. Because chances are, I'm losing steam by the time someone finally gives me a yes, and then I have to hike up my shorts and say OKAY LET'S GET THIS THING GOING! Having someone that's excited too matters for morale!
I love this post. I had never thought about this before, but it sounds like this means most agents have multiple "form" rejections and send the one that most fits their particular reason for rejecting? Kind of like the Hubspot template emails I've created to answer FAQs from customers.
Truly appreciate your clear-eyed candor, Vicky, having just received one from you! It's good to receive any kind of response (and in your case, quite timely!) rather than silence. At least now I can shift to another of my manuscripts to pitch rather than continuing to swim upstream with historical fiction at this time.
Thank you, Vicky! This post is so helpful—informative, while also frustrating AND encouraging! I have been in the trenches for 8 months. I've got over twenty still out, including a handful of fulls. The rejections on the fulls hurt so much! Thanks for being transparent and helping those of us hoping to land a book deal some clarity and perspective. You are appreciated.
This is such a great post and so true. I'm a traditionally published author of 55 books and I still get rejected AND from some of my favourite editors, ones who I work closely with on other projects. Maybe it's just not what they need right now or the sales team doesn't think it will sell in the current climate or someone just handed something in similiar and I missed the opportunity. It's a business and there are multiple reasons. The trenches are hard, really hard. Keep trying. My agent had a book of mine for over four years. My favourite editor rejected it but she kept trying and finally it found a home with a smaller house.
First, I received a terrific, personal rejection from you, which I appreciated. I love this post, because we do stare at our screens looking for clarity!
I try to frame rejection the way I look at my personal reading list--Sally Rooney's books have been recommended to me by over a dozen people. Is she great? Without a doubt. Will I ever read her books? Probably not--because they "aren't right for my list." That doesn't take away from her amazing talent, it speaks to my reading lean.
I understand the intent behind "I didn't fall in love," but it lands hard for me and feels personal. My favorite form rejection for a truly unsolicited query is the “Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, this isn’t the right fit for my list.” I assume that I'm a Sally Rooney for them. ;)
Thanks so much for this - came at the right time.
I am in the trenches.
It's incredibly hard, as you say, to have so many 'almosts' - 'your writing is beautiful', or: 'I've spent a long time with this book'. Owch!!!!
But what about this one, which has come up: 'I'm not sure about the break-out...'
Makes me think that publishers are after a single kind of blockbuster romantacy or modern thriller that's a dead-cert.
I was proud of my originality - to my knowledge there are no other literary non-fiction narrative memoirs concerning the life and profession of a therapist, her client stories, how she's come at her own life, and how she cares for herself by cycling adventures in the forest, and beyond.
'Niche' feels good - original!
'Niche' feels bad - 'worried about the break-out potential'.......
I hear what you say, patience, grit, keeping on going after the no's are what wins the race ☺️
Here's the thing...if there is nothing else out there like yours, agents and editors may think "who will buy this? Where will it go on a bookshelf?" If there's nothing else out there with any similarities to yours, it raises the questions of...why? And makes your book a risk. Instead of focusing on the originality, talk to agents about the *elements* you have that are similar to other titles while your original concept will make it stand out. What others have a similar voice to yours? Buyers of what memoirs would also buy yours? Readers of what books would also appreciate/need yours?
With the (element) of (book title), but with a focus on (insert your originality)
Approach your pitch from that lens. :)
Thanks for this post. Sometimes getting a form rejection no is the worst thing in the world, but I like how you've framed it. It IS a business, and I don't want to have someone working with me who isn't as passionate about the project as I am. Because chances are, I'm losing steam by the time someone finally gives me a yes, and then I have to hike up my shorts and say OKAY LET'S GET THIS THING GOING! Having someone that's excited too matters for morale!
I love this post. I had never thought about this before, but it sounds like this means most agents have multiple "form" rejections and send the one that most fits their particular reason for rejecting? Kind of like the Hubspot template emails I've created to answer FAQs from customers.
Truly appreciate your clear-eyed candor, Vicky, having just received one from you! It's good to receive any kind of response (and in your case, quite timely!) rather than silence. At least now I can shift to another of my manuscripts to pitch rather than continuing to swim upstream with historical fiction at this time.
Thank you, Vicky! This post is so helpful—informative, while also frustrating AND encouraging! I have been in the trenches for 8 months. I've got over twenty still out, including a handful of fulls. The rejections on the fulls hurt so much! Thanks for being transparent and helping those of us hoping to land a book deal some clarity and perspective. You are appreciated.