I recently read a post from an author who was worried about the fate of her book. She noted that she had received over 15 rejections for this single project. She simply didn't understand what was happening. All of her critique partners loved the book. She had a couple of beta readers comment that they liked it. But why is it not gaining any traction?
Some other reader did ask what the comments were from the agents, and apparently many had said something similar. This was a book that the agent simply could not sell. The writing was good, but the project was something they could not sell.
The author took this as an issue of the book just being sent to the wrong agent. Her interpretation was that the project was just not something that the agent had editors he or she was connected with and that was the reason.
While this might seem plausible, and it may indeed be the reason why the project was being rejected. However, there is a more obvious reason. The project is simply not marketable.
I know that so many editors and agents say the same thing. Write the best dang story out there and there will likely be a place for it. On the surface, this is true, but we are talking about a story that is "the best dan story out there." For most authors, if their writing is just OK, we have to look at whether or not the market is looking for a project like the one being submitted. If the market is not looking for those projects, in other words, readers are just not into that concept right now, we will likely pass on it.
If you follow this blog, you know that I am always talking about doing your market research. Are there television shows and movies out there with similar themes? Are we seeing things in the news? Is there an interested in similar projects on the book shelves? If not, that might say a lot.
So, really dig into those rejection letters and think. There may be clues you are overlooking, or simply ignoring.
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