Just What Do You Mean by "NO?"

"I'm sorry to inform you that your manuscript...."

As an agent-in-training, I get to experience every aspect of publishing. I love it. Every day I’m learning something new! Every day I get to deal with fantastic people and read the most amazing and interesting things.

Every day, I also have to say ‘no.’

This is probably the hardest thing I’ve had to learn in the last year. But..simply put…not every book an agent sees is ready to go into print. To be very blunt here, most of the books aren’t.

When I say ‘no’ to a manuscript I’ll word it differently depending on what I’ve seen. I take a lot of time and effort to put the right wording with every query or proposal that’s turned down. This is why, as a writer, it’s so important to pay attention to the reasons why. What you think might be a form letter might be – in part. But whatever text is chosen, it’s done so with great care. And more often than not, I try to take the time to make this personal enough so that you know what the real deal is.

“This novel isn’t quite ready…there…whatever words I’ve chosen” means just that. The writing isn’t polished enough, the descriptions might not be enough or might be too flowery or maybe that dialogue is stilted or not quite right. This one I dislike because it means you’ve sent it too soon. I’ve seen such fantastic ideas that hold so much promise and lost their chance simply because the manuscript needs more work. DO take the time to have others read your work before submitting it. DO listen to the advice you’re given. DO read your story out loud to make sure it flows and has the right cadence to the dialogue. A few extra days to polish can make so much difference.

“This didn’t really grip me…didn’t hold my interest…pull me in” means just that. Your book MUST compel me to keep reading. Keep me reading until I hit that last page and leave me wanting more. Anything less isn’t going to make it. If this was your reason it’s time to go back and polish again. Don’t quit just yet!

“This is too similar to something we already have.” This one is SO important and in fact I rejected a stunning manuscript today for this reason. This is one I would have put under contract had we NOT had a manuscript that was like it. What does this mean? No, no two manuscripts are exactly the same. But say we have a client with a book on parenting a Special Needs child. Then someone comes to us with a book about Special Needs children in general. They’re not the same, they might be very different. BUT they would be sent to the exact same market were we to try to sell it. It’s not fair to either author to pit these books against each other for that publisher. And how would the publisher like us to send them two books for the same open spot on their list? Not cool all the way around. If this was your book, take heart. Keep it in motion. Seriously. This is really not time to give up!

"We're sorry but we're not working in a market where we feel we can represent..." means just this. Every agent knows a certain percentage of the publisher out there. Quite honestly there's just too many publishers for anyone to have contacts in all of them. Sometimes we just have to be brutally honest...we can't do the job for you that you're asking us to do. Here again...keep sending that manuscript out. Just because we don't have the right contact, doesn't mean someone else doesn't.

So...sometimes we say 'no.' We're not out to get you...we're just trying to be as honest as possible. After all, I love seeing books get into print. I'd love to see YOUR book get into print. Don't give up quite yet, OK?

 What about you...seen any good rejection letters lately?