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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Rejection

Rejection

No Need to Be Insulting

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 23, 2022
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Recently, my husband and I decided to sell his Lincoln sedan. The vehicle had been driven only a few miles and was barely out of warranty. The dealership always sent a valet to drive the 40-mile round trip for scheduled maintenance. Kept in a garage, the car had no ding or scratch; and the interior was spotless. Who wouldn’t want this fantastic car?

I called up a local used-car dealership. They said, “Sure! We’ll look at your car. We bought a fire truck!”

After we arrived, the appraiser drove the car and then told us, “This isn’t my type of car. It doesn’t have any of the features I want. I want a fully loaded BMW SUV.”

The car was no iteration of a BMW SUV, fully loaded or not. Now, when I drive by their lot, I think, “Why did they make me feel as though I wasted their time?”

On to your book …

So, you are an author with a beautiful book of fantasy poems you’ve worked hard to make sparkle and shine. Who wouldn’t want your book? An agent tells you, “Sure! I love fantasy poems! I am eagerly looking for all types of poetry! Send it along!”

Months later, you receive this letter:

Dear Author:

This is not my type of book. I really, really am not looking for fantasy or poetry. Yeah, I know I said poetry. I said fantasy. And I said fantasy poetry. But for the record, I hate elves. I hate gnomes. I hate having to learn about a new world that an author invented. I hate rhymes. I don’t care if you ever write another book or verse again. You can send it, but I doubt I’ll like it.

Sincerely,

Agent You Now Hate

I exaggerate (I hope), but that is how a critical letter will sound to an author who’s been encouraged to send a manuscript the agent ultimately feels must be rejected. I will never say that every decline that leaves my office is perfect, but I hope a pass doesn’t mean you feel misled or that we took on an attitude of “Why did you waste my time?”

So while a rejection letter that doesn’t offer input may not seem helpful, my office would prefer that you think of us with your next project, rather than have our letter offer unhelpful criticism. Final takeaway? Keep writing, and keep submitting!

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Category: Pitching, Rejection

But They Missed the Point!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 25, 2021
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Sometimes rejection letters reveal that the reviewer may have missed the point of an author’s proposal. Upon rejecting a novel: Dear Author: Thank you for your submission. However, we are not seeking memoirs at this time. Or, upon rejecting a book of satire: Dear Esteemed Academic: Thank you for allowing us to review your dissertation on the merits of Hades. However, in October, we have plans to …

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Category: Rejection, Reviews

Why Was My Submission Rejected?

By Bob Hostetleron July 21, 2021
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From Day One as a big, important literary agent, the least favorite part of my job—by far—has been saying no. It’s the worst. And it makes me feel like I’m the worst. Feel sorry for me yet? Seriously, the process of reviewing one submission after another, expecting to find one shining sterling silver needle in the overwhelming haystack, is a sure way to bring down my spirits. I try to respond to …

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Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Rejection, The Writing Life

Ready for Pushback?

By Dan Balowon April 22, 2021
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Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you (1 John 3:13, NIV). One of the lovely aspects (I’m kidding) of ubiquitous communication in our world today is that nothing goes out without a comment in return. Positive and negative comments abound. Something written in passing or as an afterthought is met with an explosion of reaction. A single bad review from a book reviewer …

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Category: Rejection, The Writing Life

Am I on a Deadline?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 25, 2021
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Many authors submit book proposals to agents and editors with the thought, If this doesn’t work, I’ll self-publish. That plan is reasonable. However, when strategizing your career, consider the timeline. As an agency, we set a time frame to respond to author queries. Often, we miss our stated deadline. In working with other publishing professionals, we are aware that this is an industry-wide …

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Category: Book Business, Rejection, Self-Publishing, The Writing Life

Say the Right Thing

By Bob Hostetleron December 2, 2020
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Writers use words well. That may seem obvious, but—judging from some of the submissions I get from aspiring writers—it’s worth stating. Sure, one man’s métier is another man’s poison, but I’m regularly amazed at the ability of some writers to write the wrong word, so to speak, in submitting work to a literary agent, even one as gracious and forgiving as I am. That last part was meant to be …

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Category: Book Proposals, Communication, Pitch, Pitching, Rejection

How Do You Know It’s Something That Will Be Published?

By Steve Laubeon July 6, 2020
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A common question we agents get is “How to you know?” Or as Bob Hostetler put it, “When you know, how do you know?” The answer is extremely subjective. And each agent, just like a consumer, will see an idea or read a book differently. After thinking about this question, I believe it comes down to three things. Instinct For me it is an instinct that comes from reading …

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Category: Agency, Agents, Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitch, Pitching, Rejection, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

Curious About Agents and Publishers and Stuff

By Bob Hostetleron July 1, 2020
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A writer friend recently messaged me with a few questions about agents and publishers and stuff. The “and stuff” is my locution, not hers. So I thought for the benefit or outrage of all, I’d answer her in this space. See how generous I am? No? Okay, be that way. Here goes: I am curious about using literary agents vs. working with a publisher without agent representation. . . . I’ve noticed that …

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Category: Agents, Book Business, Career, Rejection

Don’t Make These Post-Rejection Mistakes

By Bob Hostetleron April 22, 2020
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My least favorite part of being a literary agent is saying no. Unfortunately, like my colleagues, I do it a lot. I review and, alas, reject dozens of submissions every month. (I prefer the word “decline,” but as a writer myself I know “rejection” feels more accurate to the recipient.) Rejection is hard. For writers. For agents. For editors. Most of the time, when I or my assistant say, “no thank …

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Category: Rejection, The Writing Life

Is Yours a Book or an Article?

By Steve Laubeon February 17, 2020
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The title question, “Is yours a book or an article?” comes up on a regular basis with nonfiction authors. Someone has lived an interesting life, survived a horrible disease, lost a precious loved one, suffered terribly (emotionally or physically) and feels led to write their story. But is it a story that can be sustained for an entire book? Or is it one that can be told in a shorter form? Or is it …

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Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Get Published, Rejection, The Writing Life
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