A Pat Rejection?

Elaine Margarett · Jun 17, 2013

I just heard back on one of my fulls that I have out. The agent I queried said it was very well written (heard that one before) but that he felt I would be better served by an agent who specializes in mystery.

Thing is, on his agency's website he says he reps mystery (otherwise I wouldn't have queried him) and he asked for the full based on two chapters and a synopsis.

Is this more form-speak? It's a new one on me.

buz · Jun 17, 2013

It sounds like a form rejection to me.

(Even if it isn't, I don't think anything useful can be gleaned from it...

)

Drachen Jager · Jun 17, 2013

He probably has a half-dozen forms and picked the wrong one by accident.

Elaine Margarett · Jun 17, 2013

buzhidao said:
It sounds like a form rejection to me.

()

That's what I was thinking, kind of a variation of, "It's not you it's me..." <g>

Axordil · Jun 17, 2013

I have run into aspirational lists of genres repped before too, ones not borne out by significant (or any) sales in the genre. I wonder if some agents think "I'd love to rep a good mystery/fantasy/biography someday" and just never find one they get into.

Chasing the Horizon · Jun 17, 2013

I think trying to guess what agents really meant in rejections or whether it's a form is a waste of energy.

Last time I got a rejection with that particular wording (well, saying they didn't rep fantasy) it was my mistake, though. I'd queried the wrong agent at the agency >.<

Jamesaritchie · Jun 18, 2013

It just means, "No, I can't sell this novel."

A Pat Rejection?

Elaine Margarett

High and Dry

buz

edits all posts at least four times

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

Elaine Margarett

High and Dry

Axordil

Is this thing on?

Chasing the Horizon

Blowing in the Wind

Jamesaritchie