Advice for getting rejections - Writers Forum

menlove · 04-22-2006, 05:50 PM

Hi, I just want to get this forum members opinions. I am trying to publish a book on how-to. So far I got 5 rejections. Two from agent and three from publisher. I want to know, what you think of they are saying? I feel I am not just in the right time to the right person. I appreciate any comment.
Agents:
1) I have now read your query and unfortunately was not sufficiently enthusiastic about the sysnopsis to request further material.
2) This is a good idea, and might be saleable,but it is not commercial enough for our agency
Publishers:
1) Our editorial team has reviewed your proposal and unfortunately do not have a place for it here.
2) Thank you for sending your proposal. Though you are clearly very talented and your creation are quite beautiful, we have to pass on this project as it is not quite right for our list at this time.
3)Thank you very much for sending us your proposal. I am sorry to say that our subsidiary has just published a book similar to yours, as it would just be self-competitive.

Ilan Bouchard · 04-22-2006, 06:56 PM

There has been absolutely no writer who got accepted on his/her first try. Five rejections is nothing—expect hundreds.

Being rejected doesn't indicate your ability to write. There are dozens of reasons a book gets rejected, so don't let it get you down. Develop a thick skin and move on and remain determined is the best advice I can give.

mammamaia · 04-22-2006, 07:55 PM

most of your rejections were form letters... the only one that may not have been, implied that your book idea is not original enough to be marketable...

i suggest you have someone knowledgeable take a look at your query/proposal and ms, to see it it's really ready to be seen and marketable enough to interest anyone...

btw, most agents won't take on a single how-to by an unknown writer, as there isn't much money in it for them... most publishers are contacted directly for such works... concentrate on the presses that publish similar books... but have your work looked at, before sending out more queries...

if you have no one else in mind, you can send me your query/proposal, the chapter outline and first 2 chapters... i'll let you know how they probably look to agents and editors...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

menlove · 04-22-2006, 11:48 PM

Thank you both for your advice. I will do some more home work with my query. Maia, I will e-mail you. Thanks again

writingviper · 06-08-2006, 10:16 PM

Hello!

5? Is that all?

Keep sending out those query letters! My gosh, I think the "Wizard of Oz" book was rejected over 20 times before a publisher reluctantly agreed to accept it. Some of the greatest authors of the English language had to self-publish their work because no other publisher would take it.

Good luck!

Brad

Dan Price · 06-12-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by menlove

1) Our editorial team has reviewed your proposal and unfortunately do not have a place for it here.
.

Things like these are probably just generic emails that they send out because they don't have a real look at it. Try a website called writters workshop. For a fee the edit your work as well as comment on it, give you feed bac kthe whole lot. All the editors have had books published and if they think your book is good enough they will recomend you to their agencys. This way you not only get your book edited but you make sure someone reads it.

aspiring · 06-12-2006, 11:35 AM

I just wrote a reply and the site crashed! Grr, will try again...

The second and third responses from publishers are very encouraging and not at all 'standard'. The second one is particularly heartening as it says 'you clearly have talent' - no editor needs to say that, so be sure that they actually mean it. The third one is a personal response but not necessarily encouraging as it may mean they didn't actually look at your submission because it was so similar to their own book.

Five publishers is nothing when you consider how many there are. Keep going! And remember that editors don't hand out compliments lightly; if they say you're talented, they mean it.

Mike C · 06-12-2006, 01:37 PM

Advice for getting rejections

Every time I see the title of this thread it makes me want to say

write badly

mammamaia · 06-12-2006, 07:08 PM

me, too!... but i held back on twitting the op, for fear of being lambasted... i'm glad to see you being brave enough to risk being ovine-juiced, mike!

dan p... there is no site 'writters workshop'... and, if spelled with only one 't' there are many... if you're referring to the one in the uk/oxfordshire, england, they don't have their own agencies... this is what they claim:

Quote:

Can you help with publication?
Yes. If your manuscript is good enough, we will do what we can to place your work with leading London literary agents. These agents know us and trust our judgement.

Mike C · 06-13-2006, 09:06 AM

I'd suggest that if your manuscript is good enough, you don't need someone else to place your MS with a leading agent.

aspiring · 06-13-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I'd suggest that if your manuscript is good enough, you don't need someone else to place your MS with a leading agent.

Whilst I can see where you're coming from, there are many mss out there that are extremely strong yet could benefit from some 'polishing' before being submitted to agents. Some literary consultancies have very good relationships with agents who will look at stuff recommended by the consultancy before unsolicited submissions and will possibly take it more seriously.

It's a bit like saying 'if your manuscript is good enough, you don't need an agent to place your MS with a publisher'. No, you don't necessarily need one, but a helping hand never hurts.

I actually found my agent (a well-known and well-established one) through a literary consultancy. I'm not saying that my ms would not otherwise have been picked up, but they were able to target specific agents that they thought would suit me, both in style and in personality.

Mike C · 06-13-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspiring

Whilst I can see where you're coming from, there are many mss out there that are extremely strong yet could benefit from some 'polishing' before being submitted to agents.

Which, by definition, isn't good enough!

Quote:

Some literary consultancies have very good relationships with agents who will look at stuff recommended by the consultancy before unsolicited submissions and will possibly take it more seriously.

True - I know of at least one author who feels their editor gave her the edge, and an 'in' with a good agent. The trick is, knowing who are the good guys and who just say they are.

Quote:

It's a bit like saying 'if your manuscript is good enough, you don't need an agent to place your MS with a publisher'.

Not exactly.Many publishing houses will reject unread any MS not submitted via an agent.

Quote:

I actually found my agent (a well-known and well-established one) through a literary consultancy. I'm not saying that my ms would not otherwise have been picked up, but they were able to target specific agents that they thought would suit me, both in style and in personality.

I'd be grateful if you'd name them, then, as a recommendation is far better than pot luck.

aspiring · 06-13-2006, 11:07 AM

Certainly. The literary consultancy was www.cornerstones.co.uk
and they offer professional advice and critiquing. MSS that are extremely strong yet need some polishing certainly benefit from such services, which can also offer advice based on current market trends.