I know it sounds funny to say I was excited to have a rejection letter in my email box today, but I got one from one of those two agents I said I queried over the weekend. It was a nice polite rejection letter that actually said “Dear Ms. Yarbrough.” Um, yeah, I’m not a Ms. but that’s okay. With a name like Shannon, it’s not the first time. According to my junk mail, I’ve been married widowed and divorced.
It came from the agent’s assistant. He wished me good luck, said my book wasn’t a match for them, and signed his name and tag. They used capitalization and punctuation too. Wow! Probably a form letter, but at least it wasn’t…
sorry, this one ain’t for me
Oh well, next week I’m investing in envelopes and killing some trees to mail out those dreaded queries to the agents with computers made of sticks and mud. YAY! Anyone wanna come over and help stuff envelopes?
Cliff Burns
April 15, 2008
Shannon, I learned a long time ago that I could save myself a heap of time and postage by carefully researching agents, highlighting the ones that deal with similar authors (in my case, that’s always been a long shot since my stuff is so stubbornly whacked). Too many young writers just get a roster of agents and do a blanket mailing. Are you addressing your letter to a particular person (right) or “Dear sir or madam” (wrong). In your cover letter, mention some of their other clients, that shows you did your homework. Who handles David Leavitt or Sedaris, that’s a good starting place for your type of work (perhaps)…
paisleyandplaid
April 15, 2008
Check out my post “Rejection” at paisleyandplaid.wordpress.com and you’ll find that you’re in good company.