Personal Essays

We’re sorry…

“Thank you for submitting your query for A WISHED-FOR LOVE to (this) Literary Agency for our consideration. Unfortunately, we’re going to pass at this time, as your beginning just didn’t hook us. We know you’ve put a lot of time and effort into your project, but do keep at it!

The publishing industry is very subjective, so what may not work for us could be just what another agent is looking for. We encourage you to continue your pursuit of publication. Keep honing your skills, learning about the industry, and always embrace a growth mindset.”

This rejection hurt, since the literary agency is my favorite in terms of the agents associated with it and the agency’s interaction with writers that pops up on nearly every social media site. They put a lot of effort into helping writers succeed. I’ve learned a lot from them.

Discouraged, but not giving up.

Back to the drawing board.

28 thoughts on “We’re sorry…”

    1. I’m beginning to lean that way. However, if the beginning didn’t grab the agent’s attention, it probably wouldn’t grab the reader’s. I want to keep working on that. At some point, I will probably self-publish.

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      1. I am asking you because it is better to get reject from agency than from readers. The audience is various. I am self-published even my English is not perfect but I don’t pay attention on critics. I am learning day by day.

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      2. I agree! I want the confirmation of my writing ability that having an agent would bring, but I also want to get my book out there too. It’s a fine line between want and ready.
        BTW, I think you commented on a post I submitted to Janet Reid’s (the Query Shark) blog. I asked her how I should query two timelines. I recognized your name. There could be two Kristina Gallos, though.

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      3. Well i don’t know her, i have only one blog here. Also i have twitter if you wish to follow me there, as vipergallo.

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  5. I have a friend in a similar situation as you right now. I am going to pass along your blog url to her. I know she would appreciate your candor about agents and pitching and understand about rejections and dealing with them.

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  7. I even got rejected by my wife the first time I asked her out – hope a little laugh at me and the fact that she is now my wife will lighten the mood and give you some hope – I have had the same letters and even one that said they didn’t read my proposal but instead checked my online presence and determined that I wasn’t popular enough to sell in the nonfiction Christian and church help book category regardless of the quality of my writing

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    1. Haha 🙂 Your wife just wanted see how dedicated to her you were. My wife picked me up, and there was noooo way I was going to turn her down. I had been eyeing her across the dance floor but was too shy to speak to her. She finally took matters into her own hands. 32 years later here we are.
      I’ll bet that agency basing their decision on your online presence is one they came to regret! I thoroughly enjoy your posts, Dave, and have learned much from them.
      Thanks for cheering me up 🙂

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  8. I’ve only read one writer who never got a rejection letter and I can’t even remember her name. Most famous ones got rejected but they persevered. If you want to get traditionally published, you can never give up. Nowadays, they check on your online presence and if you don’t have a large followers, they ignore you. Otherwise go the self-publishing route. There are pros and cons.

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