Before you start sending out query letters, it helps to know some of the main reasons why you might receive a rejection.
(Taken from my upcoming How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now!)
A proper query letter is critical. It’s usually an editor’s first impression of a new writer. That letter reveals so much about a person. It’s the first test a writer must pass in the submission process.
How might your query fail the test? Here are some reasons for rejections:
1. Improper formatting/poor grammar.
2. Addressed to the wrong person or to “Whom It May Concern.”
3. Omission of key requested information.
4. Poor attitude—writer comes off as cocky, overbearing, insolent, or just a jerk.
5. Querying a genre they don’t accept.
6. Author isn’t marketable.
7. Synopsis doesn’t intrigue or grab the editor/reader.
8. Editor was having a bad day.
9. A similar book is already in production.
10. Manuscript isn’t marketable or it doesn’t fit their current needs.
11. Unstable market causes problems that result in sudden submission closings or worse.
The first five reasons demonstrate the writer either can’t follow directions or will be difficult to work with. It often means instant elimination no matter how good the writing. These mistakes can (and should) be avoided. The second two you can work on to improve. The others are simply factors that are outside of your control.
What other reasons can you think of for a rejection?
I would say all those are legitimate. But I wouldn't know what else to add.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Definitely enjoyed reading the posting. I know in cover letters for jobs I often write it to Hiring Manager unless I know their name. I have on occasion written To Whom It May Concern though. :/ What is the proper heading when I don't their name?
ReplyDeleteDon't want to come off as cocky!
ReplyDeleteLack of professionalism in the letter.
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh when agents complain about queries send to Whom It Maybe Concern, but many send Dear Author rejections. I even had one send my rejection to Mr. Lindenblatt. Wow, didn't know my hubby wrote a book. :)
My assumption is it's going to be rejected - unless it's perfectly the story they are looking for right now.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's important to not mess up the factors you CAN control. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how these are the same reasons resumes are rejected.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything to add--great list.
ReplyDeleteI have read on an agent's website that they do not like to see quotes from another agent/editor that praise the book, because they believe such comments, while sounding impressive, are just polite rejections. Thus, they don't belong in a query letter.
However, I used such a quote from an editor that I met at a writing conference in a query and that query garnered four full requests. So, you never know what's going to work.
I've heard some people actually discuss payment terms in their query letters. That'd be a huge turn off for me. Excellent post. I appreciate all of your advice and plan to put it into practice!
ReplyDeleteIt always surprises me how many of the reasons for rejection are basic things within the submitters control.
ReplyDeleteI just hope the stars are in alignment, and that the sun shines on the MS (as in an epiphany).
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I worked hard at perfecting my letter and synopsis. Researching what each publisher or agent wants takes time, but it's a necessary step.
Enjoyed this post!
Editor having a bad day? It's one of the reasons to keep trying with other publishers.
ReplyDeleteI definitely ALWAYS recommend people test their queries with peers before sending... I think it catches at least that first. But doing the research for each one--yeah... time consuming...
ReplyDeleteMost of my rejections say 'doesn't fit with my client list' or some such drivel... I say drivel because it could either mean 'already have someone sort of like you' OR 'you don't fit what I like'--they do always say how few authors they take on and how competitive the market is right now.
Now that's quite a list!
ReplyDeleteI've read so much about the dreaded Q- letter...
I can't imagine how many terrible query letters agents have to read through - must be exhausting and frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI was always so very careful on all points so I think my problem was almost always #7. Or maybe a bad day. So glad I don't have to do this again for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to address the query. Yes, this happened to me once. I copied from a word doc and omitted the agent's name. :(
ReplyDelete#4 is really key. Nobody wants to work with a bad attitude! What a turn off.
ReplyDeletei haven't done one yet, but man, i'm learning just from you post. thanks for the info! :)
ReplyDeleteGossip Girl, I guess you could always call if you can't find the name online.
ReplyDeleteStina - LOL!
Tamara, another rule you can't live by!
Randi, that is a bad idea.
Hart, gotta love the drivel.
Nancy, that's a good feeling.
Ciara, oops!
Karen, I agree.
A LOT of things in life are outside our control.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your smiling face just now on MY blog. A positive attitude IS where it's at. But with writing, you also have to do the legwork. You have to learn how to write well, and to follow a potential publisher's guidelines. It's just common sense.
That's a wonderful list...and it also made me laugh in remembrance. The first (and only time) I sent out a query letter, I didn't even know what one should be like. I just winged a business-type letter, merrily assuming that's all there was to it. :)
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ReplyDeletedeleted my comment, above, for addressing someone other than you, ldw :( sorry
ReplyDeletehere it is, corrected:
good stuff, ldw :)
a tough but fair agent, janet reid has TONS of advice and samples galore
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/
What a great list - yikes, it's bringing back bad memories! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good list. I like the one that says the editor was having a bad day!
ReplyDeleteI think all of those are legitimate reasons even for the short story or poetry market.
ReplyDeleteGetting an acceptance is really against the author these days. The book has to fit within their marketing parameters. They don't want anything too 'different'.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I do think you hit every angle ;D
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else has said, I think you nailed the many many reasons. Being in the right place at the right time has a lot to do with being accepted, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI think you pretty much covered the list of reasons.
ReplyDeleteJai
I'd like to think the first five would be self-evident but sadly, I know they're not.
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