Unsolicited Advice for Authors, Agents, and Editors
Editors sometimes say they’ve “discussed it with others” when they’ve only discussed it with their assistant.
Just because an editor takes a project into an editorial meeting, doesn’t mean s/he actually talks about it there.
Agents keep track of how and why editors pass… and submit future projects accordingly.
Editors should respond in a timely manner even if, and especially if, they are passing.
An editor’s formulaic rejection (or one from the assistant) often means that editor doesn’t want to hear from the agent again.
A pass is a pass. There’s no talking the agent (or editor) out of it. Move on.
Agents appreciate editors who write thoughtful, timely, kind rejections.
Authors get rejected by agents they don’t know. Agents get rejected by editors they know and socialize with.
Don’t send a rejection on a major holiday.
Editors should be kind in their rejections. (There’s no reason not to be.)
