Replying to the Rejection Letter

FFFearlesss · May 26, 2009

Hey everyone, I'm sure this has been addressed before but I'm not finding anything via the search tool, BUT:

I just got a very nice rejection letter on my full manuscript, even offering to take another look if I revised it. My question is what, if any, is the ettiquette on replying to the rejection. Do I just keep it short and sweet, saying thank you very much. Do I try to be funny to show I'm not offended or hurt. What are the rules on these things?

Andrew Jameson · May 26, 2009

Will you be revising it?

FFFearlesss · May 26, 2009

Perhaps in the future. At this point I'm still in my first round of submissions.

eqb · May 26, 2009

FFFearlesss said:
I just got a very nice rejection letter on my full manuscript, even offering to take another look if I revised it. My question is what, if any, is the ettiquette on replying to the rejection. Do I just keep it short and sweet, saying thank you very much. Do I try to be funny to show I'm not offended or hurt. What are the rules on these things?

Some agents don't mind a simple thank-you. Others find that annoying because it's one more email or letter they have to deal with.

The best approach is to thank them for their helpful comments in the cover letter for your *next* submission to them.

ChaosTitan · May 26, 2009

She opened up a dialogue by offering critique and saying she'd be open to a rewrite, so I don't see the harm in a quick, "Thank you for your time and feedback," sort of note.

Unless this is your dream agent, I wouldn't suggest revising right away based on one person's feedback. If more than one agent start pointing out the same flaws, though, it may be time to reassess.

melaniehoo · May 26, 2009

Bookends has has several posts on this recently:

Replying to Rejections

No Reply Necessary

and in case it comes up...

Re-Pitching Agents

In response to your question, I think a straightforward thank you is appropriate. You don't want to risk your humor falling flat and then ruining any future chances with this agent, imo. Good luck.

FFFearlesss · May 26, 2009

ChaosTitan: That's kind of what I'm thinking with regards to revising. Right now I'm riding that line I'm sure all writers do where I'm trying not to let the "she doesn't know what she's talking about" vibe cloud my head on what could be good advice... on the other hand I'm also trying not to get blown back and forth based on every critique I receive which may or may not have merit. So hard to know sometimes which I'm doing. She was actually the first person to give the specific criticism she gave. Granted, she was the first agent to read the full MS and granted she's the first actual professional reader to give a critique. So I'm wavering back and forth on whether or not I think she's right about the changes. I'll wait to see if other professionals have the same critique before I go nuts tearing this thing apart.

Danthia · May 26, 2009

Treat all feedback the same. If it resonates with you and you think it would make the book better, go ahead and do it. If you don't think that, don't. If you think doing any revisions would improve your chances in future ms. requests, there's nothing wrong with holding off on querying until you're happy. If you think the book is fine as is and you'd revise later if anyone was interested, that's okay too. Do what feels right to you.

It's not expected, but it's usually appreciated. (replies on non-full rejections are less appreciated). Rule of thumb, if it looks like someone took extra above and beyond time, a thank you is fine.

STKlingaman · May 26, 2009

How much feed back did they give you?
Who, what, why, where to revise?

Maybe after thanking them, give
them a time table (3 months?) to when
you'd like to re-submit, or even better . . .
the first 5 - 10 chapters in two weeks.
Show them you are serious,
and if you say two weeks, make sure
they have it in two weeks. Then follow-up
with a phone call (have direct questions
written down, so you don't take up their time).
Don't Push, stay fresh and positive in their minds.

Call it . . . Casual Persistence.

but hey, what do I know?

FFFearlesss · May 26, 2009

This is what I ended up sending. Short and sweet:

Thanks for taking the time to read my manuscript and get back to me about it. While I obviously had hoped it would have gone the other way, I do appreciate the feedback. Provided my first batch of submissions doesn't come to fruition I may just take you up on that offer to resubmit.

All the best,

scope · May 26, 2009

A simple note thanking her for her time and suggested revisions. That you are carefully reviewing her suggestions and will get back to her in the near future.

Whether or not you make any revisions is your decision, but I see no harm in keeping the lines open if you choose to do so. She may forget about you but you will at least have correspondence to refer to in the future.

HorsebackWriter · May 26, 2009

I always send a short thank you note to agents that have replied to requests with personal feedback.

I also send a "thank you for your time and the opportunity to submit my work" note to any agents who've requested fulls, personal feedback included or not.

I know this issue gets ping-ponged back and forth, but, at the same time, I do what I feel is courteous, and if the agent is one who snorts and looks down on me for my business etiquette, I feel that's their issue, not mine.

It's a business interaction -- the writer is allowed to have business etiquette, too -- we're not a bunch of mosquitos annoying Agent Royalty. We're writers conducting business. It's a two-way street.

That said, I'd say do what feels comfortable for you; however, if you DO send thank you notes, keep them short.

Since the agent suggested revisions, the agent is opening up the lines of communication with you. If you decide to do the revisions, paste your manuscript into a new document and revise it as a second manuscript copy. You may decide against the revisions further down the line, and then at least you have the original file intact.

Good luck!

(P.S. -- of course if an agent states that he or she doesn't like thank yous, I wouldn't send one.)

Em

scope · May 26, 2009

Nitemare said:
She knew the date she rejected me last year (I keep track of that as well). Not a bad rejection as far as it goes, but the point I wish to make is: some agents keep lists. Something to keep in mind.

Many, but not all, agents (agencies) keep archives of queries received and rejected. If the agent has an assistant one of the first things s/he will do when receiving a "new" query is to check these archives. If they see that the work has been rejected before (by the title and/or a similar work by the same author) it usually brings about an instant rejection. Same thing occurs with agents who don't have an assistant, but to less of a percentage.

melaniehoo · May 27, 2009

Nitemare said:
I have to slip this in as a counterpoint. I went to the Re-Pitching agents link and found this:
Agents have short memories, sometimes, and it’s likely that if she already read part of the work she’s going to remember and feel somewhat confused. We do confuse easily.

I received an email rejection from Alaina Grayson of the Halyard Literary Agency. This her letter:

Thank you for again considering Halyard to represent your novel, however, as I wrote you in October, I'm afraid INSIDE THE GREAT RING isn't quite right for the list I'm building. I continue to hope you find the agent that's perfect for your writing, and wish you the best of luck in your search for representation.
Sincerely, Alaina Grayson

She knew the date she rejected me last year (I keep track of that as well). Not a bad rejection as far as it goes, but the point I wish to make is: some agents keep lists. Something to keep in mind.

scope said:
Many, but not all, agents (agencies) keep archives of queries received and rejected. If the agent has an assistant one of the first things s/he will do when receiving a "new" query is to check these archives. If they see that the work has been rejected before (by the title and/or a similar work by the same author) it usually brings about an instant rejection. Same thing occurs with agents who don't have an assistant, but to less of a percentage.

Also, pretty much every agent who has a blog states repeatedly that not all agents feel the same way they do, and many have different policies. That post was just a general guideline.

It's always better to be upfront, imo, because it's so easy for agents to misinterpret your intentions. If you're requerying, say so, because you don't want them to think you're trying to pull one over on them.

Nitemare · May 28, 2009

melaniehoo said:
It's always better to be upfront, imo, because it's so easy for agents to misinterpret your intentions. If you're requerying, say so, because you don't want them to think you're trying to pull one over on them.

Most excellent. Thank you for for the post. I will have another round of carpet bombing early next year and I will modify my QL with this info. In the opinions of the readers of this posting, should I mention the fact that my manuscript will have gone through a major rewrite that will cut the 178k word count to something considered more reasonable?

storylady · May 28, 2009

Great Info. I love this forum more & more!

Nitemare · May 30, 2009

scope said:
Many, but not all, agents (agencies) keep archives of queries received and rejected. If the agent has an assistant one of the first things s/he will do when receiving a "new" query is to check these archives. If they see that the work has been rejected before (by the title and/or a similar work by the same author) it usually brings about an instant rejection. Same thing occurs with agents who don't have an assistant, but to less of a percentage.

Something occurred to me long after this post. If agents keep lists and they check them against new queries that result in instant rejections, what are we supposed to do after we query an agent and get rejected? I, for one, refuse to curl up with a bottle of JD and bemoan the end of my writing career.

melaniehoo · Jun 1, 2009

Nitemare said:
Most excellent. Thank you for for the post. I will have another round of carpet bombing early next year and I will modify my QL with this info. In the opinions of the readers of this posting, should I mention the fact that my manuscript will have gone through a major rewrite that will cut the 178k word count to something considered more reasonable?

If you're requerying, it seems like a good idea to mention that. 178K is double the length a typical novel should be and many agents might have passed for that reason alone.

Nitemare said:
Something occurred to me long after this post. If agents keep lists and they check them against new queries that result in instant rejections, what are we supposed to do after we query an agent and get rejected? I, for one, refuse to curl up with a bottle of JD and bemoan the end of my writing career.

I don't know if they actually keep lists. As for what to do after a rejection -- query someone else and start working on your next novel. No need to end your career.

scope · Jun 1, 2009

Some definitely do keep archives. However, in some way, shape or form they tie in the particular work you queried. That doesn't ban you from querying the same agency on another book. If you do so, I suggest you make a light reference to your previous query on a different book.

Stijn Hommes · Jun 1, 2009

Some agents like a response, most don't. I'd hold off on the response and mention their comment if you decide to resubmit. Otherwise, you're better off not responding.

caitysdad · Jun 15, 2009

I just thank people for their time and move on. They're busy, you're busy

James D. Macdonald · Jun 15, 2009

even offering to take another look if I revised it.

Revise it (if you wish to) and mention the fact that it was requested when you resubmit.

Rejections are forgotten.

(In general no response to a rejection is required or desired.)

ccv707 · Jun 15, 2009

Tell them to go F--- themselves! That's what you say.

Jk.

Catadmin · Jun 15, 2009

Only respond to a rejection with a "thank you" and only if you truly mean it. Never respond with a complaint or a "but why" or a "can you give me pointers" kind of comment. The former is plain courtesy. The later gets you blacklisted and unfortunately makes agents less likely to read their email.

I always send a thank you note (or email). If they don't read it, they don't read it. If they do read it, they know I'm grateful. I hardly think any agent will blacklist someone for a polite appreciation response, but then, I'm not an agent. @=)

Cybernaught · Jun 15, 2009

I respond to all personalized rejections in which the editor offers kind words. I don't send thank you notes to form rejections, as I think that's a waste of time.

Replying to the Rejection Letter

(not his real name)

I write novels

Around

And thus we begin the edits

Danthia

Followed the Red Brick Road

Commonsensical Maverick

Dream at a gallop!

Commonsensical Maverick

And thus we begin the edits

He Got Ran Off.

He Got Ran Off.

And thus we begin the edits

Commonsensical Maverick

Know what you write...

Your Genial Uncle

He who asks, "Why?"

An Author in Search of a Plot

Decker