Hi all,

Sorry about this, but I just need a little vent out as I'm feeling a little disheartened! I've had three requests for full manuscripts of my novel, and each agent has replied to say 'great book, loved it, but I have someone working on a similar project so this would be a conflict of interest for me to represent you etc...'

Do you think they're just letting me down gently? I'd much rather they told me outright if they didn't think it was good enough to publish etc?

Oh well, onwards and upwards.... :-)

Sarah xx

I think they're probably being honest, Sarah. I can remember getting some non-fiction rejections worded in exactly this same way, and a year or so after that some books were published that were on the same theme as my proposal - so, yes, I think they are probably being truthful.

I've had three requests for full manuscripts of my novel,

But that's brilliant!
Yes, it is a bummer to then be told they have something similar already on their lists, but then often it is so true. I write childrens-fic, and can you imagine how many stories about bright red fire trucks, and lost teddies, the agents I submit to must see in a day let alone over the course of a year. Only one of those is ever going to make it into print in a year.
But, you do deserve a rant, so go ahead, blow off steam, but also realise your writing is good enough to attract attention, and, most important of all, keep submitting!


- NaomiM

Yes, three hits out of three is brilliant. I do think they're being honest - after all, they don't have to take the trouble to say anything. It is disheartening, but I reckon they're trying to make it very clear that there's nothing wrong with the book, in the hope that you'll find someone who hasn't got that current conflict of interest, or that you'll come back to them with something else in the future.

Emma

I'm sure it's honest.
A complimentary slip is usually the way if they just don't like it.
HB x

Thank you guys. And sorry again for sounding so whiny! Just a little frustrated I suppose but hey ho.......will keep on trying!!!

Thanks for all your kind and honest words - you've all made me feel much better :-) :-) :-) xxxxxxx

Sarah, definitely keep on trying - I had 8 of those until an agent took me on.

I've got something like 40-50 rejection letters behind me on a shelf and pretty much all of them are no more than 'Thanks but no thanks'

I don't think agents have the time to let people down gently.

Getting three requests for the full manuscript is a far more encouraging response than I ever got, but my novel did eventually find a publisher.

Andy