My agent forwards rejection letters to me--so far, two. She makes comments on the reasons the editor didn't bite.

One thing I noticed, though. It made me smile.

The rejection letters an agent receives are much kinder than I used to get.
So, if the quality of my rejection letters is improving, can continued success be far behind?

That's funny Rhett, and I do beleive that for each rejection slip that we receive we're one step closer to being published--whehter by the big house or a small one or our own efforts. I'd love to see your books for sale up here in the bookstores--it'd make all those folks that fly south for the winter very happy!
You'd think the publishers would be polite when they send any rejection letter...we've already established that many writers struggle to make money from writing even when they are really good at it, and so it's easy to get discouraged and look for an easier way to make a living. A little positive reinforcement from a publisher (or agent) would go a long way in encouraging people to keep hammering away at the keyboard. I'd hate to see books disappear and be replaced completely by TV and computer surfing because author's have no reward for their efforts.
:pirat:

Rejection letters. Hmmmm.

Rhett. You say that rejection letters from publisher to agent has a softer touch.
In general, does one feel better getting rejected by an agent or by the publisher?

Rejection is rejection, however there may be some satisfaction in getting turned down by a publisher. At least a publisher read it whereas with an agent you didn't get that far.

And Pam, I like your optimism. You said, "I do believe that for each rejection slip that
we receive we're one step closer to being published--whether by the big
house or a small one or our own efforts."

I remember a similar situation in sales. When I was in sales training years ago, rejection was the worst thing a new salesman had to deal with because we took it personal. The understanding manager would get excited and throw statistics at me saying, that with every rejection, I was that much closer to a sale. Believe it or not, he had stats to back it up. And once a sale was made, the next rejection was easier to deal with.
What I'm trying to say is: Rejections should not be taken personal. We know there are many reasons for rejections. Sending inquiries without the courtesy of a response is something else. That gets me p.....ed.

Pam, I always figured publishers and agents thought they didn't have to be polite when sending a rejection because they figured they were never going to see those people again anyway.

But they hope to see agents again, so they use a lighter touch.

I don't see rejections of being of any help whatsoever unless there's a note added to them. But then you know I'm a cynic about publishers and agents.

Malcolm

Abe I like your sales example, and you are right that we shouldn't make being rejected personal. We do because the nature of pouring heart and soul into all that work is so personal.

Malcolm I agree about the notes, and although the last one I had included a handwritten "thanks" before the signature it still hurt. Thanks for what exactly??

I want Lin as my agent. He'll go bash those steenkin publishers...and their steenkin pens (did I spell that right? How do you spell stinkin' like a gangster that has a Mexican accent when you are way up North in Canada?).

Keep the faith Rhett!

Pam, I think steenkin got the point across quite nicely!

Keep it up, Rhett, we'll see you on the NYT best seller's list yet!

Yup, I also agree lin would make an excellent agent!

That's one of the many things I like about all of you. I can always count on your humor and support. I thank you!!!

Rhett, you're the best rejected writer I know. Now is that a compliment or isn't it?

I believe most rejections from editors are curt because they have to send so many of them.
My favorite came in 1979 from Sam Merwin, at that time editor of Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine: "Close, but no cigar."
He later bought a number of my stories but never sent the cigar.
Another favorite wasn't a rejection at all. Eleanor Sullivan, then editor of both Alfred Hitchcock's and Ellery Queen magazines, sent a note saying she had rejected a story I sent, but Fredric Dannay (Ellery Queen himself) told her he wanted it for his magazine. Eleanor said she had to run down the hall to the mailroom to retrive it before the mail was sent out.

Hey...I should have that printed on a T-shirt!

I AM THE BEST REJECTED WRITER YOU WILL EVER KNOW

Rhett,
I'm second best. Being number two means I must try harder.

I AM THE BEST REJECTED WRITER YOU WILL EVER KNOW


I;ve been considering,

I'VE BEEN REJECTED BY WORSE OUTFITS THAN YOU

LOL, lin...

Hey, if we don't succeed marvelously at writing, perhaps we might consider designing T-shirts for writers!?

WRITER THAN THOU

I'M SHY BUT I'VE GOT A BIG FONT FACE

MY DADDY STAYING IN HIS ROOM FOR NaWiMo AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS STUPID T-SHIRT

YEH, IT'S AN ADVERB: DEAL WITH IT

WHAT PART OF INCOMPREHENSIBLE GIBBERISH DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?