Why We Can Reject Without Reading Your Full Story

I know a lot of writers get really frustrated when they get a rejection from an agent or editor, but they either only sent a partial, just a query, or even know good and well the person on the other end did not read the whole story. We see this all of the time, especially when we get an email from that writer after the rejection telling us, "If you just read a little further, you would see this story is amazing." Maybe it does get better, but their are two realities here that people are not thinking of:

1. Most readers who buy books do not have the patience to wait around for something good.
2. The odds are that your book doesn't suddenly become better the chapter after those you sent to the editor or agent. 

I used to teach a Pre-100 level writing composition course. Students were to write a full essay for me, but only needed to submit the first two pages. The reason was simple... If there were huge grammar mistakes on the first two pages, the odds are that those mistakes continued. If the writer lacked depth, in those initial pages, the probably also continued the problem.

When I look at a partial, I can see from those first pages whether or not the writer has a talent for storytelling. I can see if the author understands the use of writing conventions, plot building and character development. I don't need to read 75,000 words to see that.

It is also in these initial pages where we need you to really "hook us" as a reader. We want to be excited and if you cannot do that with someone who is interested in acquiring your book, how can you expect that from a reader who is wanting to buy your book for real. 

Remember also that we have your synopsis so that means we know where the entire story is going to go? We see the development of the characters, the building to the conflict, and certainly the resolution.

The other reasons we would be rejecting without reading your whole story can also be based on mistakes the author is making. These could include:

• Not following the submission guidelines.
• Sending stories that are not genres we acquire.
• Having a query letter that is unprofessional.
• Demonstrating in the query the writer lacks an understanding of the business such as stories that are too long or too short.