Hi, Since I became an indie - not at all!!! However for those still in the trenches this may provide some sort of balanced oversight. https://sites.google.com/site/arthurwells/10reasonsagentspassoverqueryletters232 Cheers, Greg.
I've never sent out something to an agent/publisher, but I assume they wouldn't want to have anything to do with my writing. I'd probably try for it, but *shrugs*, I am not counting on anything, rather the reverse.
From what ive seen you are doing yourself a diservice here - a lot of published writing isnt as good as yours
Hehe.. this doesn't mean that I might not write good. But trad-publishing more often than not has to publish what sells. And that is a 'market-matter', and not a 'write-good' matter . edit: I can't help myself and give you a 'Like' for that vote of confidence
That's a good article, in that I think it's realistic and probably true. Not necessarily encouraging, but you can work with it. I do think it might be helpful if agents take on the suggestion implicit in the article, that if the writing itself isn't up to scratch, that they send out a rejection letter (generic) that indicates there's a problem with the execution of the story. They might consider making it clear to the author that the rejection is not based on a 'marketing' issue or an 'emotional' issue, but that there is a problem with the writing itself. Just saying 'this book is not for us' can send the wrong message: the book is good, but it isn't the sort of thing we publish. When, in fact, the book is NOT good and it's not the sort of thing anybody would be likely to publish, because of SPAG errors or other writing mistakes. If the author learns their writing isn't up to scratch, then they'll know where to focus their effort to improve. Polishing rose-coloured glasses is a mistake in this game.
I think I go in with a realistic approach not expecting more than experience (which of course is a lot, too!). But when I get negative criticism, rejection, etc., it breaks me...for a little while, my whole world is shattered, and I do a very teenage like throw on the bed and cry into a pillow. But the next day, I am sad that it didn't work out, but it doesn't break me any more, and I treat it as a learning curve. On the other hand, if I get positive news I also feel like hugging the whole world and immediately start dancing around. I guess it bothers me in the moment, but not so much in general.
It's like a kick to the gut, but not necessarily an unwarranted one. Something about my writing didn't click and needs improvement, that's a fault of mine, not the publishers. It hurts, but we need to get up, brush ourselves off and try again.
Like everything else, rejection letters have been broken down by various people. Do a search for 'what does my rejection letter mean', you may just learn what is going on.