Essential Advice From Literary Agents & Editors to Avoid Rejection from Publishers

As commissioning editors, one of the most common questions they hear from aspiring authors is how to avoid getting rejected by a publisher. While there is no sure-fire way to guarantee publication, there are steps writers can take to increase their chances of success in having their books published. We reached out to a few experts within the publishing industry to get their advice and insights on the topic. Here’s what they had to say:

Follow Submission Guidelines

One of the most basic yet crucial steps writers can take is to follow the submission guidelines provided by the publisher. Sarah Smith, an editor at a major publishing house, says, “We receive so many submissions daily, and often, writers do not follow the submission guidelines. This instantly puts us off, as it displays a lack of attention to detail and professionalism.”

Submitting a manuscript that doesn’t meet the publisher’s guidelines can result in instant rejection, as the publisher may view the writer as someone who doesn’t take the submission process seriously.

Craft a Compelling Query Letter

The query letter is the first impression a writer makes on a publisher, and it’s crucial to get it right. According to literary agent Sarah Jane Freymann, “The query letter is your sales pitch. It’s your chance to sell your story and convince the publisher to read your manuscript.”

When crafting a query letter, it’s essential to keep it short, concise, and engaging. End with a question, as it encourages the editor to respond.

Polish Your Writing

While this may seem obvious, not every writer takes the time to polish their writing before submitting it to a publisher. According to Holly Root, founder of the Root Literary agency, “One of the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make is submitting work that’s not ready for publication.”

Before submitting your manuscript, ensure that it has been edited with a fine-tooth comb by yourself and possibly a professional editor. Also, consider joining a writing group or hiring a writing coach to help you fine-tune your craft.

Know Your Genre

Publishers receive hundreds of submissions from various genres, and it’s crucial to know your genre’s expectations and what readers are looking for. A good place to start is by reading recently published books in your genre.

According to Kelly Peterson, a literary agent at Rees Literary Agency, “If you’re not familiar with your genre’s norms, it could be a deal-breaker with the publisher. Knowing what’s selling and what the readers like will make publishers more likely to look at your manuscript.”

Network

While networking isn’t necessary, it can be helpful in catching the attention of a publisher. Attending writing conferences, joining writing groups, and connecting with other authors can open doors and give you access to industry professionals.

According to Taryn Fagerness, a literary agent and publishing consultant, “Networking can sometimes lead to direct contact with a publisher and may give you a significant advantage.”

Submitting a manuscript to a publisher can be a daunting task, but by following these expert tips, writers can increase their chances of success. It’s essential to be professional, polished, and knowledgeable about your genre; and don’t forget to lean on your network to help guide you along the way.

Facing a manuscript rejection from a publisher can be a challenging experience. With an ever-increasing volume of manuscripts and e-books flooding the publishing industry, publishing houses simply don’t have resources to take a chance on untested, unknown authors.

Tips to Avoid Rejection

Some of the best advice from literary agents authors can heed is to research the genre for which your book fits in and become familiar with publishers who specialize in it. Knowing the publisher’s strengths and target market can tell you if your book topic and style might be a good fit for them.

Kate O’Leary, editorial director of Inkwell Literary Agency adds that “authors need to be conscious of the publisher’s current list of author’s and ask if their manuscript is a logical follow up or a natural addition. If the publisher is featuring books that have a similar time period or major theme it’s important to focus on showing why your book would be a great companion piece to the others in the line.”

The next step is in making sure you put your best foot forward when submitting your manuscript. It’s essential to make sure you follow the publisher’s submission guidelines correctly and carefully. The more writers can do to dig deeper into the specifics of a publisher’s requirements the better. Taking the initiative to meet these requirements and include all the exciting things about your book shows a publisher you’re willing to put in the effort and showcases your professionalism.

Make sure you only send out your best work. Editors get hundreds, if not thousands of submissions and don’t have time to read each one with a critical eye. Poring over the grammar, punctuation and spelling of your manuscript is the best way to assure potential commissioning editors or literary agents that your work is polished. Your prose or nonfiction writing should read with a certain level of professionalism that you would present a publisher palatable and ready to roll.

O’Leary takes the point further and suggests that authors “try and picture themselves inside the publishing house’s head and think about what would be the fastest way for them to approve the book. Making sure there is a clear and concise synopsis with sufficient orientation into your main character is a great way to do this. Nobody wants to spend weeks deciphering plots and timelines to figure out a story.”

When it comes to a manuscript rejection, don’t take it to heart. It is advised that authors stay positive and don’t be discouraged that your manuscript has been rejected. As publishing companies have limited resources, often times many deserving manuscripts get declined. Believe in the power of your book and continue to look for other publishers and platforms to get your work out there.

Taking the above advice into consideration when submitting a manuscript can increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. All it takes is a bit of additional research and effort as well as a sprinkle of confidence and authors can be well on their way to easily avoiding the heartbreak of a manuscript rejection.

Every single writer has faced rejection and criticism at some point in their writing career, but you need to keep in mind that not all criticism or rejection letters are bad. In fact, some of the feedback from agents or editors can be incredibly helpful in improving your craft.

When you receive feedback from agents, publishers or editors, take some time to analyse what they’ve written and consider their thoughts. They may have valid points that will help you become an even better writer. For example, new writers are often criticized for their overuse of “-ly” words. At first, they may not see it as it as being a major issue, but then they may come to the understanding that it is often a crutch they have been leaning on. Taking such criticism onboard can help you become more attentive about your writing.

You would also do well to recognize which criticisms to ignore. If someone attacks your ability as a writer or makes a blanket statement about your manuscript, it’s well within your rights to reject that feedback. These types of criticisms won’t help you improve your craft. The key question to ask yourself is, “Does this feedback actually help my writing?”

Remember, it’s all about balance. Take the valid criticism to heart, while ignoring the negative feedback that doesn’t serve you. Keep honing your craft, and never give up on your writing dreams!