Got a rejection today from an agent that kind of cracked me up. I pitched to her at RWA National Conference and I liked her but I told one of my friends that I felt like she wouldn’t “get me.” Turns out I was right. The manuscript I pitched to her was one I’ve already had feedback on from two editors. One of them said she loved my sassy heroine and the international scope of my story but didn’t think the romantic element was strong enough (at the time, I didn’t realize this was code for “fix it and send it back”). The other editor that saw it said she liked the heroine and the international setting but she wanted it longer. I added more to make it longer and it’s with her now on a resubmission.
Enter agent. Her letter said my heroine was unlikeable and she also hated the international setting. Since the few people who have read this manuscript say my heroine is a lot like me, there ya go- I was right- this woman did not “get me.”
I think I’ll stick to the editors’ opinions. Aren’t they the ones that really matter, anyway?
Jillian Chantal 
In the end, so many facets of writing are subjective 😉
By: Katie Reus on October 16, 2010
at 9:29 am
You’re right about that, Katie.
By: sfcatty on October 16, 2010
at 12:06 pm
This industry is so subjective. Twenty agents could read the same story and only a few would love it, some would like it, and the rest would hate it. . . Isn’t that funny?
I’ve had varying remarks on my manuscripts when I was agent hunting. . .The key is to press on. If you’re seeing common themes/critiques from several various places, yeah, take note. Otherwise, just press on, my friend!
By: Lynn Rush on October 16, 2010
at 10:03 am
Thanks for the encouragement, Lynn. I have 4 more agent submissions out- I’m pressing on.
By: sfcatty on October 16, 2010
at 12:06 pm
Hey, sfcatty. Sorry you wasted your time with the agent who was “full.” I wouldn’t want to work with her anyway because it is fundamentally dishonest to take pitches when you have no intention of accepting new folks. Besides, you’re doing fine on your own. RitaVF
By: ritavf on October 16, 2010
at 8:52 pm
Thanks Rita. I think she should’ve said that up front. Agreed. I just hope she recycled my pages since she only does paper submissions. I hate to kill trees.
By: sfcatty on October 16, 2010
at 8:59 pm