Getting rejections may be the hardest part of a writer’s
job, but understanding what they tell you could save your career. By studying
the pattern of rejections you receive, you may identify problems – the first
step toward improving.
After your first 5 to 10 rejections, see what they can tell
you by reading between the lines.
Query Fail
If you send a query letter and get only form rejections, you
may have a problem with your concept or the way you’re presenting it.
Maybe your idea doesn’t appeal because the market niche is
too small. Make sure you’re targeting appropriate publishers, maybe those with
a specific genre or regional focus. Or try to broaden your audience appeal, for
example by playing up the mystery angle and downplaying the historical era, if
historical fiction isn’t selling well.
Maybe the idea feels too familiar. If you’re following a
trend, you’ll need a fresh take on the subject to stand out from other
imitators. If your pitch sounds like a hundred other books, focus on what makes
it different.
If your manuscript isn’t currently marketable, you may need
to make major revisions. If you can’t fix your idea, the best thing you can do
is start a new project.
On the other hand, if you’ve done extensive market research
and you’re confident that your idea is marketable, maybe you’re not expressing
it well. Are you starting your query by clearly sharing a catchy “hook”? Are
you focused on the main plot and character arc, or are you getting bogged down
in unnecessary details about secondary characters and subplots? Ask friends who
have not read the manuscript to read the query and tell you what they think the
story is about. See if they get a good feel for what you’re trying to convey.
One final possibility is that you didn’t target appropriate
editors or agents. If you suspect that’s the case, do more research.
Good Idea, Poor
Execution
If you have a strong idea and a well-written query letter,
you may get a request for a partial manuscript. That’s a great sign that your
topic is marketable. But if an agent or editor reads a few chapters and then
passes, you may have a problem with your writing. That means more work on the
writing craft. Is your opening too slow, with lots of back story and info dumps?
Are you struggling with point of view, showing rather than telling, or pacing?
Are you sure the writing is as good
as you think it is?
Many books and websites offer writing craft lessons. A good
critique group can also help, but less experienced writers may have trouble
identifying problems, and even published writers are not always good teachers.
Consider getting professional feedback, perhaps by taking classes, signing up
for conference critiques, or hiring a freelance editor.
If the agent or editor likes your sample chapters enough to
request the whole manuscript, that suggests your “voice” is working for them. If
they don’t make an offer after seeing the entire manuscript, maybe you have
plot problems or the manuscript isn’t strong enough to sell well in a
competitive market. At that point, you’re more likely to get specific feedback
if they decide to pass on the manuscript.
Rejections are always painful, but think of them as chance
to learn. You’ll lessen the sting, and maybe help yourself reach acceptance
next time.
Help with Query
Letters
QueryTracker.net allows you to organize and track your query
letters, and also to see reports of agent responses, for comparison:
http://www.querytracker.net/
Chris also writes novels of suspense and romance for adults
under the name Kris Bock. In
Counterfeits,
stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.
What We Found is about a young woman who finds a
murder victim in the woods.
The Mad Monk’s Treasure
follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. Read
excerpts at
www.krisbock.com
or visit her
Amazon
page.
