Fly By Rejection

Mentioning that Laurie McClean of Larsen Pomada sent me a rejection. It was a little over written for a form letter, but I applaud her attempt at trying to make a writer feel it was her, not them. She could scale back a bit, but I think that other agents could take a look at some of her boiler plate and use it to their advantage.

I particularly liked this paragraph:

Assume I’m wrong. Persevere until your books reach the goals you set for them. I can’t suggest a publisher or an agent who might be interested in a particular writer’s work, but directories, your publishing network, and the Association of Authors’ Representatives might lead you to the agent you need. Persistence rewards talent. I can’t make a living saying no, but as author Joe Girard says: “Every no gets you closer to yes.”

So, golfer’s clap, Laurie. Tighten it a bit, but at least authors can’t charge you with the idea that you don’t pay attention. Also, you don’t feel that you are burdened, the way some of these letters occasionally do.

Catherine

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.