Tuesday, November 09, 2004

A nice rejection

A computer form:

Dear Mr. (TECH),

We thank you for sending us your book. However, at this time, we don't feel it's right for our agency's goals.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(Agent)

In handwriting below the printed form:

(TECH)
Please submit your writing to us again. You have definite talent.
Enjoyed this book but think it needs more work. Nice beginning and fantastic ending, but needs more character development and tension. Don't be discouraged. Rome wasn't built in a day!
(Agent's Editorial Assistant)


Well, crap. Sigh. Back to the keyboard. Heigh-ho, heigh-ho.

11 comments:

CrystalDiggory said...

It was a nice rejection, not as nice as a contract and a check, but anything is better than a form letter, yes? And they did say to keep submitting, of course we know you have talent but it's nice to hear a "professional" say it, too. Still...I'm sorry it didn't sell. I know how hard you've been working on it, and I know it's a great story. Keep polishing it. It'll sell. Now, consider yourself cyberhugged. (( ))

Trixie said...

Hey, that's great!! (Yes, I did read it, but hang on...)

1. You submitted a book and they READ it! Yahoooo!

2. You already kinda knew what needed work. They didn't shock you with anything new. So.... the agent agrees with your own assessment.

3. They said to submit again!! YAHOO! They see a talent and recognize it! YAHOO!

OK, so polish up the weak places -- more tension (sex or not sex). Develop those characters a little more. Then you've got a book that will REALLY SELL BILLIONS!
YAHOO!!!

Don't be discouraged! It's right there in handwriting!

Hey, I would take a nice beginning and fantastic ending any day of the week.

Erudite Redneck said...

Dude. Press on. That beats the heck out of the arrogant snarky reject I got from the Western Historical Quarterly!

Anonymous said...

Sweetie I'm so sorry but that stupid agent was right about one thing. You have lots of talent!!! I loved the first chapter and I'm hard to please!!! Keep your chin up and keep writing! I'm looking forward to when I can see you on the bestseller list!!!
-Susan1

night-rider said...

Hey this is great! Forget about the form letter part of it. The last writer I heard of getting a reject letter similar to this ended up getting a few more and then the pubishing deal via a new agent. You could polish the manuscript, but then again, while you're doing it, you could submit it around a few more places. I reckon that deal is just waiting in the wings for you to discover it.

Gloria Williams said...

TECH, I know many people on Forward Motion who have never received anything except a form rejection. I know you might be discouraged now, but I hope you shake it off and keep writing. I enjoyed the first chapter, and I dislike fantasy. You have plenty of talent. It might take a little longer for you to find the right agent and publisher, but I'm confident you will as long as you keep trying. Remember, you haven't failed unless you quit. I think that's a quote from you a few blog entries back. :) I'm pulling for you.

Kitty said...

I decided long ago that I would keep ALL of my rejection letters . . . at least that means they took the time to write back -- I've submitted things before that have (1) either been totally ignored; or (2) returned without any response whatsoever.

Chin up! A little spit-n-polish and it'll be ready for another agency soon!

Powersleeper said...

Dude, don't dive into a gallon of Chunky Monkey or what ever flavor you enjoy. Read between the lines, the agent likes it. You even said you needed more time to develop the story, do it. You have everyone behind you. Keep the faith brother.

Anonymous said...

Tech, Ditto what everyone else said!! susan2

Unknown said...

YOu got a HANDWRITTEN note as well? I hate you :-)

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Tech.
It took me what seemed like an eternity to get a deal with someone who had the means to publish and distribute (that's a big deal) my book. That deal was completed 8 months ago, and I'm still going through the hassle of edits, rewrites, graphics, and all sorts of annoyances that must be dealt with before seeing those precious words turned into a book. You're a great writer, and the rejections will only make success that much sweeter.
- TDG