Responding To Rejection Letters

This tends to be a perpetual topic for most agents on their social media - the discussion of rejection letters. You hate getting the letters. We hate writing the letters. But I have to add to this. Getting letters back from a writer who clearly did not read the letter you sent them is probably more frustrating. 

Again, as a reminder, a rejection letter simply says the story is not right for the person you sent it to. Those reasons can be anything including: the story is the wrong genre, too long, too short, just not a right fit (the subjective part of the business), and yes, it can also mean the story is poorly written. 

When you get a letter back, first of all, you should be thankful. There are many agents who simply say, "no response means no." But now, take the time to see what that person really said in the letter. If the person truly said your writing was a piece of "you know what" then you know you have a problem with your writing. If, however, the person says something such as the following, then learn:

1. While I was intrigued by the initial premise, the writing itself just did not connect with me personally. 
2. Even though you have some great strengths as an author, this is not a genre we acquire.
3. I liked how this story started, but I found it full of a lot of cliché phrases and settings. 
4. I am going to be passing on this project because I have found that this trope is just not something that I can sell right now.

So, let's talk about these. 

1. This is a subjective case. Your writing has to be right for the person you are sending it to. This has nothing to do with your writing ability, but it just is not that person's "cup of tea." I have talked about this in the past, but you want an agent to do nothing but talk about your story because they totally love it. If we aren't excited, we won't talk about it. Take the time to learn WHO that agent is and what he or she really likes. 
2. I pass on so many manuscripts for this reason. Did you really read ON THEIR WEBSITE what they acquire and don't acquire? 
3. This one does sort of fall into a level of learning as a writer. If you are a beginning writer, you may tend to use a lot of things you "think" are supposed to be used in your story, but you are not sure on the reasons. Just keep working on it, but, you now have something to watch for in your writing. This is a great tip from a rejection letter!
4. In this case, it is one of two things. The first is that the trope is not something that agent has found success in selling. This could mean someone else has done well with it. So research. For example, westerns may sell great for one person but not for another. The second reason is that maybe that trope is just not selling in the market. If you are not finding it in the traditional publishers line ups, then that should be telling you something.

So, how do you respond? 

There really is no need to respond, but if you are someone who likes to follow up, try a quick thank you and move on. Try a thank you for the feedback and if I have something in the future, can I send you something. 

But… do not...

Write back telling us how stupid we were, or that we did not take into account that you have spent the last two years writing this and we don't know our butt from a hot rock. This is the first way to insure you will never get another chance with that person. If we told you the story just did not connect with us then you still had a chance with another story. Now, forget it!