Someone gave a rejection some thought
I queried Irene Goodman with a letter, synopsis and a middle chapter, largely because of her good press here in AW. Got a form rejection that had been modified to give the writer some direction:
"Thank you for your query. We appreciate you sharing your work with our agency.
We did review your proposal, and unfortunately we are going to pass on representing it. The premise just didn't resonate with us as much as we would have liked. Your writing does show promise and we wish you the best in your search for representation. Your book deserves an agent who can put the requisite enthusiasm behind it.
We appreciate the hard work and diligence needed to get in the door, and since this is a highly subjective business, you may well find success elsewhere. We wish you all the best with your writing.
Regards, "
Scott