My Responses From Editors and Agents Sound Like Form Letters

Let's talk about form letters here. I want to address two points here and let's get the big one out of the way first. I always find it funny when authors complain when they get "form letter responses" from editors and agents about their submissions. "Why can't they just tell me what they liked or didn't like about my story so I can really advance my career?" Well, the funny part is that 9 times out of 10 (yes, I know that line is cliche) but the majority of you are cranking out form letters to all of us so why shouldn't we? OK, I know that might not seem like a really good reason, but give me a break. 

The real reason you are getting these "form letters" as you call them is two-fold. First of all, there are more of you than us. If we honestly sat down and provided all of you a full critique of each of your stories coming in, we would never have time to actually do the work for our own clients, especially if you saw how bad some of the stories are that we see on a daily basis. 

But secondly, and this is the biggest one, is that there are only so many ways we can say the following statements:

• "This story is not a genre that we represent."
• "We are currently not looking for this type of story"
• "The market is really not buying this genre but you writing is good"
• "While you have a great voice, I personally did not connect enough with the project to want to read more."
• "This project does not fit our submission guidelines."

Sorry, but it is as simple as that. There are a limited number of ways to pass on a project.

Honestly though, if you got a rejection letter, form letter or not, at least you know it made it to someone. Take that as a positive. You have heard me say it here before, but the "if you don't hear from us, consider it a no" response it not IMHO a professional approach. I don't care how busy you are, I think at least a form letter is appropriate. I mean, how do I know my submission didn't get lost in cyberspace.

So, quit complaining. If you really want a great response back, I will tell you, write a letter that is not a form letter to us. To be honest, I have been answering people in many cases recently with responses that are even more personal because they took the time to show me their letter was not a form letter or written by ChatGPT. 

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