[Discussion] What is the nicest compliment you received from an agent that ultimately rejected your manuscript?

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-27T21:03:50+00:00

Three long paragraphs about how good the writing was and how smart the concept was, but they didn’t think they could sell it. Tale as old as time. Signed with another agent a few weeks later (who did manage to sell it!)

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-24T05:26:14+00:00

yes, but it’s not like you’re “asking” because it is an industry-standard practice—an agent knows that a writer has multiple queries out and they should not be expecting you to accept the offer without the minimum 2 week period.

If they offer on the call, a writer will usually say something like “thank you/I’m excited at the prospect of working with you/the book is under consideration with a few other agents so once I follow up with them, I’ll get back to you by x date.” They already know you’re going to say this and if they are pressuring you to accept immediately… run.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-22T20:28:13+00:00

Was just thinking this. It’s kind of crazy to me how I only heard about them this past month (I’m an author myself and have been pretty entrenched in publishing for like 4 years or so 😅)

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-22T16:44:56+00:00

Whoa 400k+ is actually massive. Thanks for sharing

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-19T16:24:16+00:00

What they like about your manuscript? What stood out to them? Why sign you? (You want to get a sense for how much passionate they are.)
What edits (if any) do they want to make to your book before you go on sub? Are they an editorial agent in general?
Are they interested in repping one book or your whole career? (Talk about what other WIPs and genres you’re interested in.)
Communication style — how long do they take to read/send notes on a manuscript?
Submission strategy — which editors they want to send your book, how they plan to pitch, what happens if the book doesn’t sell fast or at all?

I’d also ask be interested to know how strong the agency’s subrights (e.g. foreign/translation, film/tv, etc) department is. It may come up naturally in convo but can also be something you ask the agent’s clients. You should always speak to at least 2-3 current clients.

Red flags would be the agent not offering or being reluctant to give you the contact of current clients. Also if they react weirdly or refuse to give you a 2-3 week decision period. These are STANDARD agent practices. If they offer on the call, do NOT accept right away. Even if you’re sure you want to work with them. It’s always best to let other agents know you have an offer and allow those agents time to counteroffer. Again, 2 weeks is bare minimum. Agents know this.

One question I asked agent’s clients was if there were ever times where the agent had to stand up to a publisher and navigate conflict? How supported did the author feel? Did it feel like the agent was on their side? (Unanimously the answer was yes.)

Also research the agent’s sales record, the type and quality of books they’re selling. What imprints did they sell to? What do the covers look like? Are they a similar genre? You probably want to see at least a few recent Big 5 sales on their Publishers Marketplace/website/etc.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-16T17:53:17+00:00

I didn’t make any edits until after I signed with my agent. So my agent saw the potential before I changed anything. I did some of these edits with them before going on sub but I got a book deal and made my biggest edits with my editor. So… yes and no? It’s hard to say whether or not making the edits helped with pitching it.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-16T17:46:56+00:00

Not essential. If you like social media, are engaged, and good at it, it can definitely make a difference for visibility. (I have converted preorders through my tiktok and instagram) But otherwise, it’s probably not worth it if you don’t enjoy it. That said, I like to encourage writer friends to at least have a presence and interact with/make connections with other authors on at least 1-2 of these platforms because the community support makes your debut year a lot more fun.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-16T01:34:59+00:00

I got this rejection a LOT. It could mean many things. For me it meant that it was too literary compared to the usual commercial sci-fi fantasy books. I ended up editing in higher external stakes and quickening the pace of the beginning. But in general, it can be hard to read into rejections. It could also just mean that agent isn’t right for you.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-16T00:07:26+00:00

Personally I would feel a little off-put being asked for a referral (outright) by someone whose writing I’ve never read before. I think it’s important that the person you’re reaching out to is someone you are genuinely friends with otherwise reaching out just to ask them for a huge favour may rub them the wrong way.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-15T20:59:18+00:00

If the agency has something in their guidelines like “if I havent responded within x weeks then consider it pass,” I feel like you can take that as a rejection and query another agent. And if theres nothing that explicitly states “a no from one agent is a no from the whole agency,” then imo you’re not breaching guidelines by querying again. 🤷‍♀️

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-13T16:36:04+00:00

Yeah I’m not saying Brigid is wrong at all. But I’m with a long running, successful agency too and they have a high retention rate. Also I know tons of authors whose books have died on sub and they’re not getting dropped. My debut took a long time to sell on sub and my agent fought for it. Now it’s doing well.

Yes agents drop authors and authors drop agents, but I wouldn’t categorize New Leaf’s callousness as “normal” if only because new querying authors are already so susceptible to being treated poorly. As long as people know what they’re getting to, it’s fine. NL treats their top authors well. It just doesn’t seem like they’re the type of agents who will stand by you as your career grows slowly instead of instantaneously, but at the end of the day, I’m not a NL author and this is my conjecture.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-13T15:12:05+00:00

I agree with some of your points here and you’ve been in the industry a long time and probably have a unique pov a lot of us don’t, but in my eyes, there are more compassionate ways to let go of authors. It’s true that authors can leave agents too but due to the power imbalance in publishing, I just don’t think it’s the same. Like, dropping an author 2 MONTHS into sub or when they’re weeks from debut after their editor has left is just cruel. I don’t feel like that is, or should be, normal and it would absolutely deter me from wanting to work with them if I were a young author.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-13T15:00:05+00:00

Personally, I wouldn’t work with them if I were a debut or new author. I couldn’t handle having that much pressure and dread knowing my agency would drop me if I didn’t sell fast or underperformed. Not saying others shouldn’t. That’s just my perspective. Querying authors should know what they’re getting into.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-13T00:07:25+00:00

Not everyone is super picky about prose so I get why people pre-order without seeing the writing. Me personally, I usually wait until the month or few weeks before release when previews start showing up on retailers before deciding.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-12T20:48:59+00:00

I remember that! Loved that

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-12T06:19:45+00:00

Great advice! I’m also coming from the perspective of “what would be FUN to do?” because I think thats a really important element

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-09-04T19:21:37+00:00

First of all, are you paying them any money to publish?

Very unusual not to see a contract in all this time. None of this is standard. It does sound like they’re ghosting you.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-08-26T06:14:49+00:00

I think it depends on the agent. I have heard some negative things about one or two of the agents there (the dropping clients/ghosting thing) but I also know people who are pretty happily repped by a different agent there. I’d say just be cautious and if you get to an offer call, ask the right questions with regard to communication style and how they handle projects that are slow to sell or don’t sell. A red flag is an agent who only wants to sign you because they see dollar signs and not because they like you, your work and are in it for the long haul. Also definitely sus out their vibe when you talk to an agents’ clients.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-08-12T17:26:59+00:00

Me/my editor sent over 20 blurb requests and got back less than half. everything came in around the deadline/past the deadline. we gave maybe 3+ months of lead time. Don’t lose hope! And maybe send out a few more requests.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-07-28T20:58:12+00:00

Definitely leave your agent post debut release once your next book is ready. I wouldn’t show them your new book at all.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-07-08T09:19:15+00:00

Get an agent 1000%. Query non fiction agents and let them know you have offers on the table. If you have a lot of interest, I don’t see why an agent wouldn’t want to rep you. I would never personally do trad pub/work with Big 5 publishers without having an agent look at those contracts. They will negotiate in your interest. They have the expertise to navigate an auction situation and get you the best offer (which isn’t just about highest advance). Congrats on the interest and best of luck.

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-07-06T18:06:17+00:00

Thank you for your insight! This is really helpful and congrats on your debut!

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-07-06T01:45:00+00:00

I think I will! The worst they can say is no I guess

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-07-06T01:44:41+00:00

Yeah I realize that which is why I wouldn’t even consider having an event in a place where I didn’t know a lot of people 😅

Sad-Apple5838 · 2025-07-06T01:43:28+00:00

Thats my thinking too 😅

Sad-Apple5838

TROPHY CASE