Michael. I read the sample and bought a kindle copy. Hope it's good. If so I'll write a review. I still haven't read this whole article (about the rejections). I will later. I'm still taking in my own. Many are respectful and even laudatory, but so far, they all end with, "We're not the best publisher for your work, bla bla bla." Translation, "this is good and we should publish it, but we're too cowardly and we don't want mobs of woke folk trashing out brand and shorting out our sales." Anyway, despite all that, soldier on, and I will as well.
I have a different view on the ‘white male’ block…it originates in the fact that rosters already have tons of successful white male authors but NOT an expanding readership for them. I bet the delta is shrinking…they have no need for this author segment which is massively oversupplied due to the explosion in college education of white males. I wish more people would study how self-publishing works, learn marketing and how to sell books like drugs…this ancient system of supplicating publishing gatekeepers is a waste of time in an oversupplied market of authors…
I wrote a memoir about being low-class stripper from the Deep South, found representation, got close to getting a book deal twice, but was always ultimately told that the book was “too much” to sell: too depraved, too redneck, too far away from most “normal people’s” experience. So I hired a designer (who ended up turning into a lifelong creative partner on a number of pursuits) and together we put out the book independently. BEST DECISION EVER. Every day I am grateful that I did not get a book deal. Here’s why: on the power of my own brand, I had already created a large fan base. That means I sold thousands of copies and continue to sell copies of my book, and I actually get all that money. I’ve made a significant sum on that work: who does that? Secondly, I always suspected this shit would make a great Netflix series… I am getting interest now in that direction, and guess what? I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH THIS BOOK BC ALLLLLL THE RIGHTS ARE MINE. I’m so grateful for that now. You will be too.
Publishing is bananas and agent #2 was writing in code for sure, but I actually think agent #1’s rejection was super promising. To me that letter said you were REALLY close. I know that after writing a book for 8 years, hearing “not this book, but another” is crushing -- but for me and several friends that’s exactly how it worked. First book, either no agent or no sale. Second or third book, success. So I think you said you’ve given up on trad publishing, but if you ever change your mind, I bet the next book sells. I see the sings of “almost there” all over that feedback.
I am not white and I am not a man. But I am Indian-American, which codes as not the right kind of minority. My biography ("Radical Spirits") of the first Indian woman doctor who was educated in the 1880s in Philadelphia was rejected by each and every agent to whom I submitted.
The traditional publishing industry is a disgrace.
I published independently, and almost four years later, with no ongoing marketing on my part, the book continues to sell a few copies each month!
After being in a writers group for over a solid ten years now, this is the most useless feedback. I always ask two questions about criticism:
1) Is this a subjective feeling the person has?
2) Do you just not like it?
While both of those can be valid if it is two of those answers and nothing else it is not valid or helpful criticism. Criticism should always be "This *specific* thing is having this *specific* effect on at least me, and probably will on other people."
“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.”
― Winston Churchill
Here's a link to video I did which is my closest experience to writing. book. I agree with Mr. Churchill.
Interesting and somewhat disheartening to see a part of this process. I think it's often hard to tell why something is chosen or rejected, might be completely arbitrary reasons most of the time unrelated to the quality of the work. Think it's still worth a try, all it takes is getting in touch with the right person. Thanks for sharing.
Really just here to read and learn, Michael (thank you). I'm so far a flop on my query-submission journey and super appreciate seeing real-live feedback from agents. With #1, how frustrating to feel so close...only to be ghosted after multiple rounds of requested revisions. Ugh.
Damn... that second agent response is excruciating. 💔
And it kinda threw me how she said the time period didn’t really matter. I wonder if she’d say the same thing now. The difference 2017 and today seems so massive I’d think not but I’m just guessing.
Maybe enough time has passed to make you a rarity now tho. I mean how many straight white male innocent punk rock rich kids are left these days? Regardless, we all deserve to tell our stories and I hope you get it published one day.
From the little I know of the traditional publishing industry and what I've gleaned from people I've talked to in that industry, they're constantly looking for a sure thing. And they have a pretty good idea of what's selling at the moment (not one moment in the future, strictly this quarter if you know what I mean) so that's what they gravitate too. Us older white guys might not be what's in. I'd suggest, as others have here, the self-publishing route. The gatekeepers will always be there if you want to go back and try some more.
Select a pen name, submit anything you write under that name. Refuse to provide ANY personal information - no gender, no pronouns, no ancestry - nothing.
I guess I missed the memo - but when did agents become literary critics? Yes, getting real, thoughtful criticism is difficult and should be appreciated - but an agent should represent you, not edit you. When you have written the book, worked with a competent editor - that's about all the advice you need. Changes to make it "sell better" will be endless interference - that should not be tolerated from ANY source.
Solve the publisher problem? I don't know, maybe look at the Independent Publishers Association:
Find one that might be interested in your style. Then find an agent to represent you - tell them you don't want them to waste time reading your book - that's NOT their function. When was the last time you met a successful salesman who moonlighted as a service tech?
Finally - I'm sure you know, but it's worth repeating. You're not going to make a lot of money writing a book. JK Rowling did - but she was an exceptional writer long before she published - and she got lucky.
It is a sad day when we're all being told we can only write characters that much up with our "identity." I've got a horror novel that involves slavery that I won't even bother submitting because I know it will never see the light of day. And I've got a different novel out for submission that has a main character who is a white man, but secondary female and people of color characters. I'm half expecting to be told I can't write those characters.
The first agent sounds reasonable. I would have been delighted with that letter. There's some good constructive criticism in there to work with and, wow, an invitation to resubmit! You can't ask for much more than that.
The second agent sounds fucking clueless.
"a solidly middle-to-upper-middle-class protagonist who is disaffected by his relatively privileged lifestyle... I don't necessarily see this being relatable to kids"... you know, except kids who read a lot.
And the bit about dudes teaching each other about feminism through literature and song was unintentionally hilarious. Just think, agents like these are publishing the next wave of "great" literature :-P
Michael. I read the sample and bought a kindle copy. Hope it's good. If so I'll write a review. I still haven't read this whole article (about the rejections). I will later. I'm still taking in my own. Many are respectful and even laudatory, but so far, they all end with, "We're not the best publisher for your work, bla bla bla." Translation, "this is good and we should publish it, but we're too cowardly and we don't want mobs of woke folk trashing out brand and shorting out our sales." Anyway, despite all that, soldier on, and I will as well.
Best!
I have a different view on the ‘white male’ block…it originates in the fact that rosters already have tons of successful white male authors but NOT an expanding readership for them. I bet the delta is shrinking…they have no need for this author segment which is massively oversupplied due to the explosion in college education of white males. I wish more people would study how self-publishing works, learn marketing and how to sell books like drugs…this ancient system of supplicating publishing gatekeepers is a waste of time in an oversupplied market of authors…
I wrote a memoir about being low-class stripper from the Deep South, found representation, got close to getting a book deal twice, but was always ultimately told that the book was “too much” to sell: too depraved, too redneck, too far away from most “normal people’s” experience. So I hired a designer (who ended up turning into a lifelong creative partner on a number of pursuits) and together we put out the book independently. BEST DECISION EVER. Every day I am grateful that I did not get a book deal. Here’s why: on the power of my own brand, I had already created a large fan base. That means I sold thousands of copies and continue to sell copies of my book, and I actually get all that money. I’ve made a significant sum on that work: who does that? Secondly, I always suspected this shit would make a great Netflix series… I am getting interest now in that direction, and guess what? I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH THIS BOOK BC ALLLLLL THE RIGHTS ARE MINE. I’m so grateful for that now. You will be too.
Publishing is bananas and agent #2 was writing in code for sure, but I actually think agent #1’s rejection was super promising. To me that letter said you were REALLY close. I know that after writing a book for 8 years, hearing “not this book, but another” is crushing -- but for me and several friends that’s exactly how it worked. First book, either no agent or no sale. Second or third book, success. So I think you said you’ve given up on trad publishing, but if you ever change your mind, I bet the next book sells. I see the sings of “almost there” all over that feedback.
I am not white and I am not a man. But I am Indian-American, which codes as not the right kind of minority. My biography ("Radical Spirits") of the first Indian woman doctor who was educated in the 1880s in Philadelphia was rejected by each and every agent to whom I submitted.
The traditional publishing industry is a disgrace.
I published independently, and almost four years later, with no ongoing marketing on my part, the book continues to sell a few copies each month!
Just reading this now. Publishing is 100% broken, and YA is somehow even worse. 😵💫🫨🫣
After being in a writers group for over a solid ten years now, this is the most useless feedback. I always ask two questions about criticism:
1) Is this a subjective feeling the person has?
2) Do you just not like it?
While both of those can be valid if it is two of those answers and nothing else it is not valid or helpful criticism. Criticism should always be "This *specific* thing is having this *specific* effect on at least me, and probably will on other people."
Here's a quote that always sticks in my mind:
“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.”
― Winston Churchill
Here's a link to video I did which is my closest experience to writing. book. I agree with Mr. Churchill.
https://youtu.be/yALVY5IG2DA?si=QO21WKd7s_TqreBw
Interesting and somewhat disheartening to see a part of this process. I think it's often hard to tell why something is chosen or rejected, might be completely arbitrary reasons most of the time unrelated to the quality of the work. Think it's still worth a try, all it takes is getting in touch with the right person. Thanks for sharing.
"no, listen, there is plenty of female-written literature/music that will give you insight into women," -said no teenage boy ever.
Really just here to read and learn, Michael (thank you). I'm so far a flop on my query-submission journey and super appreciate seeing real-live feedback from agents. With #1, how frustrating to feel so close...only to be ghosted after multiple rounds of requested revisions. Ugh.
Damn... that second agent response is excruciating. 💔
And it kinda threw me how she said the time period didn’t really matter. I wonder if she’d say the same thing now. The difference 2017 and today seems so massive I’d think not but I’m just guessing.
Maybe enough time has passed to make you a rarity now tho. I mean how many straight white male innocent punk rock rich kids are left these days? Regardless, we all deserve to tell our stories and I hope you get it published one day.
From the little I know of the traditional publishing industry and what I've gleaned from people I've talked to in that industry, they're constantly looking for a sure thing. And they have a pretty good idea of what's selling at the moment (not one moment in the future, strictly this quarter if you know what I mean) so that's what they gravitate too. Us older white guys might not be what's in. I'd suggest, as others have here, the self-publishing route. The gatekeepers will always be there if you want to go back and try some more.
Select a pen name, submit anything you write under that name. Refuse to provide ANY personal information - no gender, no pronouns, no ancestry - nothing.
I guess I missed the memo - but when did agents become literary critics? Yes, getting real, thoughtful criticism is difficult and should be appreciated - but an agent should represent you, not edit you. When you have written the book, worked with a competent editor - that's about all the advice you need. Changes to make it "sell better" will be endless interference - that should not be tolerated from ANY source.
Solve the publisher problem? I don't know, maybe look at the Independent Publishers Association:
https://www.ibpa-online.org
3,000 independent publishers.
Find one that might be interested in your style. Then find an agent to represent you - tell them you don't want them to waste time reading your book - that's NOT their function. When was the last time you met a successful salesman who moonlighted as a service tech?
Finally - I'm sure you know, but it's worth repeating. You're not going to make a lot of money writing a book. JK Rowling did - but she was an exceptional writer long before she published - and she got lucky.
It is a sad day when we're all being told we can only write characters that much up with our "identity." I've got a horror novel that involves slavery that I won't even bother submitting because I know it will never see the light of day. And I've got a different novel out for submission that has a main character who is a white man, but secondary female and people of color characters. I'm half expecting to be told I can't write those characters.
The first agent sounds reasonable. I would have been delighted with that letter. There's some good constructive criticism in there to work with and, wow, an invitation to resubmit! You can't ask for much more than that.
The second agent sounds fucking clueless.
"a solidly middle-to-upper-middle-class protagonist who is disaffected by his relatively privileged lifestyle... I don't necessarily see this being relatable to kids"... you know, except kids who read a lot.
And the bit about dudes teaching each other about feminism through literature and song was unintentionally hilarious. Just think, agents like these are publishing the next wave of "great" literature :-P