Hello everyone, I'm a lurker - and love the support on this thread, thank you all! I've decided to finally put my toes into the water because, well, it would be great to support others on their journey, and have a place to air my woes... My dear, kind boyfriend is sick to death of hearing about my rejection-dejection. And I guess he doesn't quite understand how harrowing this whole thing is, so it's great to have a space where folk going through the mill can meet and weep! And then weep with joy when someone lands an agent! Which I have to say is always such a joy, it gives us all hope!
To start: Well done Noranne on 2 partials in one day! Holding thumbs for you.
Yesterday I got a cruel-ish rejection, the ones where they go: loved the concept, but I "didn't fall in love with the writing." Ugh! I know it's boilerplate standard, and that's what it boils down to, but honestly, can't they simply be more empathetic? I love Janet Reid's rejection letter, the one where she rather says her list is too full and this is not a rejection, it's a redirection and she encourages you to "query widely". Note, she doesn't point to any flaw in your work - because let's be honest, it's all subjective: I don't absolutely love Ian McEwan's prose, but I love his themes and characters - and so I'll read him. I love some people's prose, but feel the work lacks plot, and I'll still read them. I'll read them for different reasons. So yeah, instead of saying you didn't fall in love with my writing, tell me: unfortunately I didn't resonate on the level I need to in order to rep a project. Then it's about a personal disconnect and not a personal kind of insult. Or say: I don't feel I'd be the right representative for this project. I got one like that once and was so impressed by it. That's the right answer. Querying is hard enough as it is without agents writing stuff that's downright insulting, and frankly, quite unhelpful.
And then today: another rejection. This one standard form stuff. Got to stay, I prefer a rejection to silence any day. I hate CNRs. At least QT helps me figure out who won't reply.
I've got so few queries out still waiting for a reply... I'm very far in to the querying process and feel myself flagging. But I'll keep on. I still have 2 fulls out and 3 partials, so... something might still happen. I still hold out hope.