This started as a semi-serious exercise. A standardized rejection form with lines for little check marks wouldn’t take too much time for agents/editors, and might actually help the writers. Feel free to add any useful or not so useful items.
__ Writing is not strong enough
__ Too slow paced
__ I don't have the right contacts to sell this, but somebody else might
__ We have so many clients, we can't take anybody on unless their book is clearly a bestseller
__ Too many other books out there in the same genre
__ This genre isn't selling now
__ I have had a terrible day and am sick of everything. A pox on all writers.
Mikeland added these:
__ We are only accepting manuscripts from papparazzi bait, motivational speakers, and/or porn stars
__ I don't like people named Mike.
__ The stamps on your SASE offended me.
__ Too many big words.
__ Not enough big words.
__ Have you ever considered writing this as YA?
__ My dog ate your manuscript.
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__ Writing is not strong enough
__ Too slow paced
__ I don't have the right contacts to sell this, but somebody else might
__ We have so many clients, we can't take anybody on unless their book is clearly a bestseller
__ Too many other books out there in the same genre
__ This genre isn't selling now
__ I have had a terrible day and am sick of everything. A pox on all writers.
Mikeland added these:
__ We are only accepting manuscripts from papparazzi bait, motivational speakers, and/or porn stars
__ I don't like people named Mike.
__ The stamps on your SASE offended me.
__ Too many big words.
__ Not enough big words.
__ Have you ever considered writing this as YA?
__ My dog ate your manuscript.
__________________