I have received several rejections from agents. They have all said that they can't give reasons; but they also recommend that I send the submission to other agents who may have a different take on it. Is this just politeness or genuine advice? There are more agents I have submitted to who say they will answer only if they are considering representation. I think these are the worst kind because their silence subjects the writer to both hope, despair and uncertainty. I recommend ALL agents should send rejection messages even by way of form letters. What do others think?
Also the fact that the rejectionists don't give a hint on their reasons subjects me to thinking that I should revise the manuscript. But I think this would be a mistake. I should hand on to the manuscript in its present form, as long as I'm satisfied with it; until an friendly agent comes up with real commentary.
While those are standard 'form' rejections, and so not comments on your writing, I wouldn't worry yet - there are many writers who receive twenty, fifty, one hundred, and more rejections before they find an agent who feels right about the project. It can be a bit brutal at times, but if you believe in the material there's no reason not to keep going.
I agree about no response agents, by the way - it is not fair to the writer.
If your covering letter is solid (have you considered rewriting that?) then keep sending it out, and good luck.
Thanks Fox, thanks Sonderborg,
No, I'm not at the beginning of my work. I'm submitting the final product after many revisions on my own.
I wrote my first novel 6 years ago, and submitted samples to a paid editor and got very good feed back. This second novel follows the advice I got on the first and is by far the one I want to have published. I will go back to the first one after publication of the second.
With regard to Frank's comment. No, I'm not submitting to publishers; I'm submitting to targeted agents of literary and commercial fiction -- not YA, or thrillers, or crime -- and within them, those who say they will welcome debut writers. I have done some researching.
I believe if six agents comment on it, I will get 6 different takes -- besides the general show-don't-tell -- and this can be confusing especially if I disagree with some of the comments. I'd rather have one person handle the ms from start to finish; in which case it will just be one intense conversation between him/her and me; and we can get to know each other's mind and explain our disagreements. But since I wish to get published, the odds are that his/her views will prevail.
Anyway, I sent out 17 submissions and I have 12 to go; though I suspect 6 of the twelve won't even bother to send rejection letters -- they say they will answer only if they decide representation. Damn them.
Some good advice on how to write a good thriller and get it accepted. The advice can be adapted to any type of book or genre though. Rule number one is what Adrian has been banging on about for ages ;D~ "Study the Masters"
http://tysonadams.com/2013/08/19/how-to-commit-the-perfect-murder-to-paper-advice-from-david-thomas-aka-tom-cain/
I will assume you are submitting to publishers who handle your type of book.
It is the quickest way to get rejected if you are sending it out Shotgun style to any company that publish books.
And yes getting someone to edit your work is a necessary evil and something I have come around to believing. As a writer you will be blind to your own very obvious mistakes.
Sometimes even deluded into thinking its a new type of Art. Getting a fresh non family pair of eyes on your master piece will save you from wondering if those rejection slips where about how it was written.
Good luck with your project