my favorite rejection

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Bealeblast

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Honestly, it seems a bit weird to say that I genuinely consider this a positive experience, but I actually felt good after reading this agent's rejection after reading a partial, written and personally signed on her stationary....

"Thank you for trying me with____, which I've looked at with interest. I think you're on to a good smart, commercial story here, and I'm only sorry to say that I didn't fall in love enough with it."

I guess we have to take our encouragement wherever we can get it.

And now that I've had the experience of having a handful of agents read a full ms and just fade away without a word back to me, this agent looks particularly good.....
 

Arkie

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Honestly, it seems a bit weird to say that I genuinely consider this a positive experience...


I think you're right. You've got a good attitude. Stay after it.
 

FloVoyager

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What doesn't work for one may be perfect for another. Keep submitting.
 

pollykahl

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it's a compliment for sure

I'm with you bealeblast. About a month ago I had called a publisher to inquire about their requirements and by a fluke the acquisitions director answered the phone. She asked me about my project which was an old half-written self help book that I was only kindofsortofmaybeinthebackofmymind thinking of submitting. She was very enthused and the next thing I knew, I was preparing a synopsis and samples. They didn't go for it, but they were courteous and it gave me a taste for what it would be like to really submit. They sent me a very nice, individualized email rejection and told me exactly what was wrong with my proposal (and they were right.) All in all a great experience.
 

Bealeblast

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timing is everything

Your experience shows how if you show up with the right thing when they're looking you shoot to the top of the pile....obviously there was a lot right with your project too. And I do believe given how strange this process really is, it's vital to read the signs well, and know you're not that far off from hitting the bulls eye.

cheers.
 

pollykahl

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yupper

I think so too beale, and to be honest with you, it was quite a thrill. I have only been on this site for a couple of months, and in that time have read so many horror stories of writers who have struggled for years to even have a conversation with someone - an agent, a publisher - anyone. So to met with that kind of courtesy and enthusiasm was amazing. Even tho they rejected me, I was floating on air for a week.

Hang on to that rejection note. It's a keeper.
 
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