Agent Jessica Faust, in a recent post on the Bookends Literary Agency blog says, “No matter what you do or how you proceed, remember that personalized rejections deserve a pat on the back. Congratulations for making it that far.” Somehow, knowing the definition of the word ‘rejection’, her comment seems like an anomaly.
I haven’t received many rejection slips, chiefly because I haven’t sent out my manuscripts for scrutiny very often. My non-fiction pieces have been well received — no rejections (so far!) since I began writing for magazines eight years ago.
In light of Jessica’s comment I find myself re-evaluating the rejections of my fiction submissions. Every one of them has been personal. And kind. And encouraging. None has suggested there is no market for the story, or that it needs further work. The most recent provided a paragraph of feedback and ended with “While your story shows promise it’s not right for me at this time. Keep at it. You have talent. Your time is coming.” At the time I chose to believe this was just a polite agent. After all, it was still a rejection.
Do personal rejections reveal less about the quality of the writing and more about the personality and professionalism of the agent? Maybe. But whatever the case, at the moment I think perhaps I’ll take greater encouragement from my collection of personalized rejection slips and press on with renewed determination.
Posted by Carol J. Garvin 
