How to Respond to a
Book Rejection
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
There is no writing topic more emotional than book rejection. While you’re not going to be the first writer to get what the industry calls a “decline” for your manuscript, you can absolutely make something positive out of this experience. How you respond to book rejection is where you can really stand out from your writing peers.
Keeping Book Rejection in Context
One of our Good Story Learning members recently wondered about the best way to respond when an agent has declined an initial query letter or a full or partial manuscript that they previously requested. Book rejection happens to everyone. Now what?
Should you send a thank you email, even if the agent didn’t provide any personal feedback? Some agents advise against responding at all. They’re busy, their inboxes are full to bursting, and they don’t really have time for “useless” correspondence or small talk, especially with a teetering slush pile.
If you query an agent, kindly understand that if they send you a book rejection, they will generally not provide a critique of it unless they choose to. A revise and resubmit letter is rare, as is any kind of constructive, non-form writing rejection.
It’s important to remember that it’s not an agent’s responsibility to offer free feedback. Writer’s conferences and freelance editors charge for professional critiques. I’m not saying this because I now work as a freelance editor and charge for writing feedback (LINK: https://kidlit.com/writing-feedback), or to toot my own horn. But the truth is, I have gained my experience after a costly education, extensive professional development, and countless hours of reading, writing, and gathering insights from editors and agents. When I used to send a book rejection as a literary agent, I would be evaluating the project, not signing up to provide free advice about writing craft.
An agent works with a certain group of writers to sell projects. For their part, writers aim for publication by developing their skills enough to get out of the book rejection slush pile. Investments like classes, conferences, reference guides, and professional editing are sometimes necessary to level up. (However, never pay an agent or agency to read your query or manuscript! You could fall prey to a publishing scam this way.)
Book Rejection Responses
If you are finding that you’re still getting book rejection after book rejection, instead of asking agents for free critiques, invest in yourself and get other eyes on your writing. You can do this for free with critique groups or beta readers. A simple “thank you,” if you choose to send anything, is fine.
The worst kind of book rejection response attempts to ask them what was wrong with it, what could be improved upon, or for other feedback. I understand your desire to know. Being in the slush pile “trenches,” as some writers call it, is a lonely, disorienting and often painful experience, one that may wound your confidence.
Sometimes, though, an agent does provide some advice. What do you do in response to a more nuanced book rejection? What most writers don’t realize right away is that there are different kinds of book rejections. So, what should you do when you receive a more comprehensive bit of feedback, maybe after a revision request? This is obviously still a book rejection, but the agent has spent more time on your project, and the book rejection response that’s appropriate is different
When an agent takes the extra effort to provide advice, give feedback, or request a revision of your manuscript, they open the door to potential future collaboration, whether on this project or something new. It's clear they can see potential, even if the current version of your project might not be right for them. Unfortunately, this very promising type of exchange with a literary agent might still not lead to an offer of representation. As such, it hurts more to get bad news after an encouraging start.
Keep in mind, though, that the journey of mastering the art of writing is a long and challenging one, full of obstacles and setbacks. And, yes, book rejection.
If an agent offers notes or feedback with a book rejection, be sure to show your appreciation and keep them in mind for future projects. (You don’t want to send new material right away, though. You will want to grow and write and revise for a while before getting back out there.) Unless the agent explicitly asks, “Do you have anything else right now?”, take a breather before reaching out again.
An agent gives writing notes, even if they accompany a book rejection, they are saying, "You may not be the right fit at this time, but we certainly see potential. Therefore, take your time to refine, reinvent, and elevate your craft, including learning everything you can about revision, and then contact those agents who have been encouraging.
A "thank you" email is certainly the best way to respond to a book rejection at this level, particularly if the agent’s response was particularly personal. That’s perfectly normal.
Putting Book Rejection Into Perspectiveheading
For sure, a book rejection can be devastating, since it’s a “no” when you were hoping for a “yes.” Rather than giving up, though, focus on perfecting your art, get feedback from a dependable and experienced beta reader or writing group, and submit your revised piece after you've taken the time to make it even better.
And finally, make sure you stay polite and courteous, even if you just got a book rejection. The worst thing you could possibly do is retaliate with something grandiose or snarky. (When I was agenting, writers definitely took their book rejection response as an opportunity to tell me that I was a moron and would miss out on millions of dollars by passing on their work.)
Don't let a book rejection get you down about your prospects for the future—and whatever you do, don't fly off the handle! The two best responses to book rejection? "Thank you for your time!" or nothing at all—it's as straightforward as that.
Click here to purchase Successful Query Letters, my book on query letters, including over forty examples with comprehensive notes on each one. There’s a ton of submission advice, best practices, and insider information in these pages, and you’ll really enjoy seeing what other writers are doing in the slush.