Are Editors and Agents Extra Selective Now?

Many authors out there are probably seeing a common trend. There are more and more rejections from those editors and agents. They read on all of those posts out there on the Internet that editors and agents are looking for projects, and yet, the rejections still keep coming. So what is going on?

Before I answer that title question, let me first say that many of the rejections are due to so many authors out there uneducated about what it takes to be a professional writer, as well as stories that are far from ready to be published. In all honesty, I have read some really bad stories lately. This all stems, I believe, from the fall out of from the pandemic and writers not learning the craft from the professionals. It also stems from so many of the writing chapters out there (specifically in the RWA) who shut their doors and quit because they were angry at issues. Nothing wrong about being angry; but walking away from opportunities to learn creates some big problems, especially for those newer authors. 

Now, let me answer the question from the title of this post. Are editors and agents extra selective now? I would say yes. While we do hear from publishers about sales, we have to remember who those sales are for. They are the established authors. Publisher know that readers tend to buy books from those established authors by name only. 

Publishers are also noting, once again, that taking chances on some of those newer authors is more work than it was in the past. It isn't so much about the time it takes to edit the stories; it is now all about how much time it is going to take the editors to teach the writers how to write.

Publishers are also finding themselves to be overworked and underpaid. I just talked to an editor and she openly noted that they cannot even keep up with the workload right now. They are simply swamped. They are trying, but having to sort through all of those submissions is wearing them out. 

Agents are also slowing down as well because even if they think they have a story that "might sell" there are simply not a lot of spaces out there to sell that book. It is also important to remind all of you that we are working for free with those authors until we make a sale. 

So, what are we picky about? 

• Stories need to be amazing and not adequate.
• Stories need to bring something fresh to the table.
• Stories cannot just be different. Stories have to still be marketable
• Authors need to be ready to work and produce
• Authors need to have a knowledge of the market
• Authors need to know this WILL take time and to not demand immediate satisfaction from the publishing world.