Now, I am not complaining about their turning me down. I know that successful agents have fairly full lists and are looking for something they feel to be outstanding. If they don't think that's me and my work then fair enough.
I am also not complaining about a lack of critique of my work - how could they possibly have the time, given the height of the pile of manuscripts from aspiring authors?
However, given that they're going to send a form letter in response, couldn't they maybe do slightly better than this:
"Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, we do not feel confident that we could sell your work effectively and will not be offering to represent your material. Thank you for your interest in (agency-name) and best of luck placing your work elsewhere."
Am I being unreasonable in suggesting that this is a bit rubbish? They don't owe me anything personal but surely, when writing the standard rejection slip, it could have been less cold?
The other, while still a rejection and while still impersonal, at least manages to sound friendly:
"Thank you for your recent email and the material which we have now looked at. As a small agency we take on very few of the many writers who approach us each year and, having considered your work, we do not feel we can effectively represent you.
We trust you will understand that the sheer volume of submissions to this office unfortunately prevents us from providing you with a more detailed and personal response.
May we take this opportunity to wish you success with another agent or publisher."
Anyone care to comment? Am I expecting too much from these people? As I said, I'm not asking for personal comments, or for a review of my work but maybe something that's not icy cold. After all, there's no pretty way to send a rejection but it is possible to put soft cushions around it.
2 comments:
Why don't you rewrite it for them? Remember to waive the copyright and then future rejections might be more sympathetic.
You're absolutely right. I should and I will.
My next post to this blog will be my draft of a proper letter of rejection. It will fit onto one side of A4, it will be generic and so relevant to any author without any personalisation required and it will be helpful without overly encouraging the author to trouble that agency again.
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