#165. How To Interpret Agent Rejections (& What To Do Next)
Oct 29, 2024
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Rejection letters from literary agents can be a tough pill to swallow, but they’re often just part of the journey. The podcast delves into what different rejection types mean, like form rejections and requests for revisions. Listeners learn the crucial elements that agents look for in opening pages and the importance of resilience. It also covers actionable steps for when an agent requests a full manuscript but doesn't offer representation. Plus, it highlights key signs that might indicate it's time to pause querying. Perfect for writers facing the ups and downs of publishing!
Understanding the difference between types of rejection letters, like form rejections or enthusiastic no's, helps authors refine their approach.
Seeking feedback on manuscript pages from beta readers or developmental editors is crucial for addressing agents' specific concerns and increasing manuscript appeal.
Deep dives
Understanding Agent Rejections
Interpreting agent rejections is crucial for writers navigating the publishing landscape. The first common scenario involves an author receiving radio silence or form rejections, indicating that the query letter failed to interest the agent. This suggests that revisions are needed to enhance the query's appeal, focusing on elements like conflict and stakes. Writers are advised to revisit previous episodes that discuss common querying mistakes and seek feedback from trusted peers or coaches to refine their submissions.
The Importance of Feedback
In a second scenario, when agents request pages but respond with radio silence or personalized rejections, it signals that while the query was effective, the manuscript pages need work. Writers should carefully assess the feedback provided, paying special attention to specific concerns about the plot or character development noted by the agent. Addressing these points may involve making adjustments to increase the stakes or pacing within the story. Seeking external opinions from beta readers or developmental editors is recommended to gain an objective perspective on the manuscript.
Finding the Right Agent Fit
The third scenario indicates that agents express personalized and enthusiastic no's, highlighting that the writer's query and pages are effective, but a right connection with an agent has yet to be found. Feedback in this case reassures the author that their work has potential, encouraging persistence in the querying process. Writers should continue sending out queries confidently, as the right agent who resonates with their story is still out there. This persistence is vital in the quest for traditional publishing, as it often requires time and resilience.
It’s no secret that one of the biggest roadblocks to getting traditionally published is the dreaded literary agent rejection.
But to find the right literary agent for you and your story, you have to go through the process of querying a handful of agents—which means you should expect to get a handful of rejections before finding your perfect match.
In this episode, I’m sharing the three most common literary agent rejection scenarios and, more importantly, what you can do in each scenario to take the next steps and keep moving forward with your querying journey.
Tune into this episode to hear things like:
[02:04] What it means to get a form rejection letter from a literary agent (and why this does NOT mean you should give up on your publishing goals)
[05:21] The next steps to take if an agent requests your full manuscript (or some sample pages) but then still doesn’t offer you representation
[05:46] What literary agents are looking for in your opening pages—and how to determine if you might be missing any of the elements they’re looking for
[10:42] What it means to get a “Revise & Resubmit” request from a literary agent (and more importantly, what NOT to do if you get one)
[12:38] 5 signs you should stop querying—including my answer to the commonly asked question, “How long should I query agents before giving up?”
If you’ve ever wondered how to interpret the rejection letters you’re receiving (or how to take action on the rejection letters you’re receiving), you’re going to love this episode!
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