Comments on: Responding to rejection

By: Amy Armstrong

Amy Armstrong — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:28:53 +0000

Hmm. Them’s the breaks, I guess.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:13:02 +0000

Another thought here, especially if these emails are meant as a sort of a digital raspberry in the agen’s direction, is that the publishing community is a relatively small one. It’s not a good idea for an author (deal or no deal) to burn bridges or become associated with poor or unprofessional business behavior.

Nobody likes a jerk.

By: John

John — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:00:08 +0000

Thanks for the support, folks. Kim, I hadn’t even considered the responses might be made up–a little creepy, dontcha think? And actually, LL, you raise a good point about timing–at least one of the queries I cited was, in fact, older than 2 months. But while it’s fair to assume that 2 months of radio silence probably means a rejection, I still think it’s worth reporting any news to the agent/editor–you never know if it’s just a matter of an agent being overwhelmed by submissions (like yours truly)… and besides, there’s nothing like a counteroffer to get people moving!

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:20:01 +0000

Dare I suggest that some of these may be fabricated? Teri’s right–nobody likes rejection and the temptation is there to want to show how wrong the agent was in rejecting. Sounds to me like there might be a few “spoiled faces” out there missing noses.

By: Teri Carter

Teri Carter — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:21:59 +0000

There is no reason for anyone to respond “I got an agent or deal, thanks” except to tell you what a mistake you made. My grandmother would call it rubbing your face in it. What I particularly don’t get is why they wouldn’t tell you they have an offer when the offer is in play. That makes no sense.

By: Will Overby

Will Overby — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:12:37 +0000

At least you do respond, John. My pet peeve is agents/editors who never let you know. Even a simple form letter is better than nothing.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:40:09 +0000

LL, I too write off queries if I don’t hear anything after 2 months. But what John is talking about is different. He’s mentioning standard procedure: if the writer gets an offer from someone else to then contact other agents under consideration.

If you get an offer & accept and chose not to contact queried agents, rather than those with requests (contacting the requesters is the right thing to do), then fine, ignore the rejection. Personally, I just delete those rejections and smile to myself. Emailing that agent back is chest-thumping; it’s an “in your face” move.

By: LupLun

LupLun — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:12:07 +0000

Playing devil's advocate here: how long had it been since you received these queries? Because personally, if I don't hear anything after two months, I assume that the agent has circular filed me and don't bother following up with them. -LupLun Lupines and Lunatics