Jordan Deen

I received a fantastic, insightful question regarding rejection:

“How do you continue once an agent has rejected you? Do you get discouraged?”

This is a great question. Quiet simply, the answer is no.

The reason:

Writing is a competitive, highly subjective market.

I have been querying for about two years with three novels. During this time, I’ve never stopped learning, studying, editing, writing, thinking and reinventing myself and honing my craft. For me, each experience with an agent has been an opportunity to learn and grow.

I’ve received enough rejection letters to wall paper my bathroom and probably half my hallway. Some have been form, others have been helpful and some have been extremely hurtful. However, each I’ve learned from and greatly appreciated, (even the mean spirited ones).

There seems to be a trend in the blog-universe regarding Agents receiving very inappropriate responses to form rejections. Let me just say, cussing, being crude, or rude to an agent in a response email WILL be shared. You’re name may not be mentioned in public forums, however, the agent community is very tight. (If you don’t believe me- go on Twitter. They talk to each other- seriously.)

Plus, my view on this- there is no need to be snarky with anyone. Your work is just not for their list at the time. That doesn’t mean that you can’t re-query them later with something else. So don’t burn your bridge and send off an email in anger. It will get you absolutely nowhere except blacklisted with that agency. If your email is inappropriate enough, I’m sure they will remember you or maybe even take note of your name/email for the future.

Agents are people too. They have lives outside of their work just like writers. Most work another job on top of Agenting to make ends meet. Most writer’s are in the same boat. I write as much as possible, but I still have a day job and I respect the agents that do reply to all queries, even if it is form, because ultimately- they have no obligation to tell you no thank you. All they truly have to do with their 200+ queries is hit “delete” and then you are left wondering about that unanswered query.

To answer the second part of the original question, I don’t get discouraged because I don’t take the rejection personally. I tend to like writing that is edgy, heartbreaking, dark, fantastical and offbeat- and that may not be for everyone. I write what I’m feeling, while I’m feeling it. I’ve cried my way through edits and re-writes and I’ve been known to toss a book or two at the wall in frustration. I give my heart and soul into each word I put to page and every character I write is a living, breathing person to me. But I know, just because I love them, doesn’t mean that the world as a whole will share my opinion.

Keep in mind while querying, it only takes one person to share your dream and your vision for your characters. You want an agent that will connect with you and your work because you want to have a level of trust, understanding and open communication for someone that is going to try to sell those characters that you’ve spent so much time with.

I hope this helps and answers those questions. My biggest suggestion of all is- Write because you love it, not because you want to be rich or famous.

Writing is like the air I breathe— even if I don’t become agented or nationwide published, it’s still going to be part of me tomorrow and the day after.

Much love everyone-

Jordan~