One of the main reasons I keep this blog is to be a resource for writers. As you realize, opening myself up to writers is a bit selfish of me. My target readers are people who I hope will reach out to me and maybe even become my clients. I’ll be the first to freely admit that. I write here to help writers but also to attract them, because I am very actively building my list and looking for talent.
However, this also puts me in a bit of a pickle. I’ve built up a great readership in the almost-year that this blog has been up and running. Some of my readership will end up querying me. The statistical probability is that I will end up rejecting most of these queries. People say that this blog is useful, but I can’t even begin to think it’s useful or instructive enough to overturn the 99%-or-so rejection rate I’m currently running. So, this means I’ll, at one time or another, end up rejecting most of my extremely charming, dedicated and enlightening readership.
Awk-ward.
You all appreciate getting little glimpses into my head, and I have to say that this is always a difficult moment for me. When someone mentions that they read the blog — and many do — in their query, I do brighten a little bit. It never ceases to amaze me how many readers I’m able to reach out to. However, it becomes that much more painful if I have to reject them. I wish I could give special consideration and preferential treatment to all my blog readers, but, at the end of the day, it’s the strength of the writing and the manuscript’s concept that count.
So, fine blog readers and enterprising writers, do know that it pains me greatly to have to reject my own blog readership. And I hope that you won’t stop reading if your query with me doesn’t go as you’d like. (In fact, it’s the people getting rejected by me and other agents that should probably keep reading… even if they happen to be crafting a voodoo doll in my likeness while they do it.) I don’t want to cultivate and then alienate my favorite audience. It’s just something that happens as a result of this blog, and it’s always a sticky situation.
Sigh. Just one of the perils of being someone who, essentially, crushes souls every day for a living. But then I do find a manuscript I love and I sell it to a publisher. Making those dreams come true for my clients can make everything else feel worth it and that’s, hands down, my favorite part of the job.
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(Aaargh! Of course that should be ‘even IN rejection letters’. Did you reject me because of my typos?? LOL)
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OK, so now it’s time to hold hands together and sing Kumbaya…
This is great — having an online community in which to share the frustrations of getting published. Just never thought I’d ever hear about the loneliness of the long-distance agent.
Rock on, Mary!
d -
I love reading your blog, Mary, and I must say, you do write a beautiful rejection letter. I might just keep querying you until I write a story you like.
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It’s all part of the process, I think. I would wager a guess that most aspiring authors realize that just because they read (and sometimes even study) a certain agent blog, that does not necessarily mean they are a shoe-in for a contract. I am also going to bet that most of the authors you have rejected are still poking around this ol’ blog, looking for tips and enjoying your views! Chin up!
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If a follower stops reading your blog because you rejected his query (or requested material), then the only one losing out is that follower. Thanks to your post on voice (and a few comments from agents who like my concept), my voice went from bland to strong. I never queried you (I queried someone else in your agency), but even if I had, and you had rejected my query, I’d still follow your blog. Yours is educational, and those are types of agent blogs I follow.
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I agree with Stina. I can’t query you because of agency policy but that doesn’t mean I don’t learn something everytime I read this blog. Its those who’ve been rejected who should be following you and whoever else can help them improve their pitch and product.
That said, I understand how hard it is to have to say no all the time. I feel that way sometimes as a mother- as though all I’m ever saying is no. I’d like to be able to say yes. Its easier/much more fun to say yes you can have another sweet; yes, you can see that inappropriate movie; stay up so late… but it’s just not worthwhile in the end.
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If I stop reading an agent’s blog, it’s not because I got rejected, it’s because I no longer find it useful or don’t feel I can relate. Keep writing such informative posts and the mature readers won’t let a rejection ruin the relationship.
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I love reading this blog, and I’ve been happily agented by Curtis Brown for over ten years now. I pay extra attention to agents because: (a) every one I’ve met has been a lovely person, and I enjoy seeing them out and about in book world; (b) I mentor a lot of terrific writers and often help point them in what are (hopefully) the right professional directions; (c) it’s important to keep up with the industry, no matter where you are in your career.
Jeepers, I’m chatty today.
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Your blog is such a wonderful resource and those who would turn away a valuable resource are only hurting themselves. If I ever finish revising my ms and start querying, I’ll hopefully obtain an agent/publication/etc. However, I’ll still read blogs like this because there is always more to learn and more opportunity for growth. If I don’t gain representation right away, I’ll use the info to make my next book better. Either way, I’ll still be here!
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if you be professional about it and if your readers/writers are professional, then I don’t think you should have any problem, but I also think it’s hard to expect everyone to behave professionally, so just don’t get discouraged if some people get upset when rejected
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Rejections are hard, but the more you get, the less they affect you. I’ve had lovely rejections in the past, hand written notes that give me hints and tips, and others where my package (50 pages of requested material) is sent back with “sorry, too busy.”
But honestly, I can’t even remember who has rejected me nicely or not.
I’m sure your readers will come back…if your prose is good -
In order to represent someone, you’d have to more than simply enjoy their work. I’ve read many books, that if asked about, I’d say I really enjoyed reading them and would recommend. However, there are very few that I will go out of my way, calling friends and family and say, “I have a book you simply must read!” Therefore, I feel that, as an agent, in order to represent someone, you must absolutely love the book, not just enjoy it.
I doubt many would fault you, or any other agent, if they understood this. You have to fall in love. And just because one agent doesn’t, does not mean another won’t.
Keep sharing your insights. They are appreciated.
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The agent blogs, yours included, Mary, are a wonderful resource for writers. I learn a lot about writing and the business of publishing from these blogs. Plus it’s a great, needed, reminder that it IS a business, but a business that is subjective. The rejections aren’t personal.
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I keep wondering about this. If you are an avid reader of an agent’s blog, should you mention that in your query letter or not? On the one hand, it might show that you’ve been doing your research and really think that this person is right for your manuscript (or your manuscript is right for them, whichever way you want to look at it). On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to imply that I’m seeking preferential treatment simply because I read your blog. What is the best way to approach this issue?
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Let me just say, rejected but still reading and no hard feelings.
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Your blog is full of wonderful inside information, and that’s one reason that writers read bogs, right? (Oh, is that a tongue twister at the end there?).
Rejection comes with the territory when you’re a writer looking to be published. It’s always a bit disappointing when you think you’ve targeted the right person and it doesn’t happen. But you move on until you do find the right person.
As was said above, your insight is appreciated.
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Veronica — Lots of people mention that they read my blog. It makes me smile but that fact can’t affect a person’s writing. So I smile if it’s mentioned, then I go on to evaluate the writing.
Either way, it doesn’t make much difference to me. -
Mary, Thanks for clearing that up. (Is it silly that I feel a jolt of excitement when my favorite bloggers take the time to answer my comments?) I never really feel very comfortable mentioning “oh, and by the way, I read your blog like a crazed fan” (not that I would really put it in those words, you understand). It’s nice to know that it doesn’t really make an impact in the long run. I’ll just leave my blog stalking out of the query letters
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I must say the first few rejections I received were nearly soul crushing. However I was one of those silly people who thought that all you had to do to become published was write a book. Had I known then what I know now, I might not have started writing novels. Since then I’ve learned how to take advice, understand that harsh critiques are valuable, and have grown thicker skin.
I’m sure that most new writers have the same growth period. Blogs like yours are essential to learning and I (among many) appreciate the effort put into writing them. Thank you!
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I promise not to take it personally, especially since this blog has been so helpful to me. Thank you for doing it.
Shanna
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Since I am not anywhere near ready to query anyone about my book, I’m happy to learn from your blog while not getting rejected. : )
Wait, I’m going to submit the first 500 pages to your contest, so that means I might still get the pleasure of a rejection.
Life is good.
Phee
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I think agent blogs are great resources to writers; writers shouldn’t think that just reading a blog entitles them to be a client. I think your blog is great!
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Your blog is useful and interesting and the fact that you can’t possibly agent every single one of your readers (and therefore will of necessity reject some of them) can’t change that. I suspect that you (like Nathan Bransford) have readers who will never query you because it wouldn’t be a good match, and yet they will find useful and interesting news and insights on your blog.
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I’m glad I found out about this blog! I think it will be extremely useful to me as a writer who dreams about being published someday. Thank you for your variety of post topics.
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Well said (you’re a fine writer yourself)! Just keep doing what you’re doing. Your advice is wonderful and very much appreciated.
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You’re right, that IS awkward. But I’m willing to be the kind of friend that chills around at a yard’s distance, attempting to begin conversations with “Soooo…” as we sort of grin and nod at each other, because what else can you do in a relationship that is too uncomfortable to continue but too insensitive to destroy?
And I’ve just written a freaking H.G. Wells run-on, so you can no longer have any desire to represent me…
Right… *nods head and grins* Soooo…
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I just started reading your blog today when a friend pasted your link in my blog comments. But I’ll be back. I did add a link to my blog sidebar (www.joycemoyerhostetter.com) And I posted links on Facebook and Twitter as well.
Now I’m going to send you less than 500 words of my completed YA novel.
And I’ll be back whether I win the contest or not. Thanks!
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Anyone in the writing business has to get used to rejections - it’s part of the apprenticeship of writing. And of course, even established writers get an occasional knock-back on their work.
So just keep doing what you’re doing, Mary - providing a valuable resource for serious writers.
And if you get an occasional gem - that is your reward! -
It must be really hard trying to maintain a relationship with your readers when you most likely will reject some of them at one point or another. I think this post is good insight into your mind and a good reminder for bratty writers. Not everyone is going to love our work, but that’s okay
What you offer is a wonderful resources for us all to learn from. -
Your blog is a huge help to all of us out there who want a glimpse on what really goes on in an agency. I read your posts religiously and have been helped enormously. I think if people get upset over being rejected (and stop reading your blog over it) then it means that they aren’t willing to learn and determined to do even better.
I haven’t submitted a query to you yet, but I’m entering the contest you’re hosting right now. I’m very excited about it and I can say that whether I win or not, I’ll still keep up with your blog. -
Eh, don’t worry about the rejections. It’s the nature of the biz, right? We’ll get over it, and hopefully our writing will get better. Thanks for posting this blog!
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Thank you for being honest and still in the business.
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Jack London had a reported 608 rejections. We all know about Dr. Seuss. Thanks for the blog. I am currently blogging with my Critique group (Four of us) at http://thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/
My fellow blogger Lupe Fernandez has just posted a hilarious article on the top ten ingredients for a successful YA novel.
Please stop by when you can!
Happy Week
Susan Berger -
Despite the rejection, I still read your blog. I like the craft-based posts.
I’d even say hello if we ever ended up at a conference together.
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