Position:Home>Books & Authors> How to you know when an agent thinks your book sucks?

It's normal to try an read more into a stock rejection than it probably means!.

It doesn't necessarily mean anything bad!. It could just be that out of all the submissions, they could only accept a few and yours wasn't one of them!. Or that they don't handle that genre, or they have too many of that genre now!.

If you get a lot of stock rejections, it could mean that while the story is okay, and the writing is okay, the book needs "more"!. As much as people complain about the quality of writing of several recent best sellers, or the predictable, cliche plots, there's that "something" that makes the work stand out (and if we could all figue out what that is, we'd all be successful writers)!.

And, yes, it could mean that there is something wrong, too!. Have you had it critqued by a writer's group with a track record of members goning on to be published (like Critter's)!? Not all writer's groups are good ones, and some just miss the mark too much (that's why you need to know the track record - just one published member means very little, especially if they're self published)!. Friends, family, and teachers are not the best qualified to do a critique either!. Critter's can be a painful experience, but probably a worthwhile one :-)

Is this your first book!? Lots of successful writer's couldn't sell the first book initially!. Some eventually did, although they may have reworked it a little (experience can fix a lot of things)!. Others have never let that first attempt back out into the daylight!.

Have you submitted to other agents!? Just because one agent rejects it, doesn't mean another will , too!. Many good books were rejected many times before they finally sell (some of them even got rather brutal rejections, which just goes to show that just because it isn't right for one agent or publisher, doesnt mean it isn't perfect for another one)!.

In the meantime, start your next novel!. Craft takes practice, and working on something new can relieve some of the stress of waiting for a submission to pan out!.

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It could mean he/she thought your book sucked luckily he/she is only one of several thousand agents!. At some point you will encounter a rejection letter or an acceptance letter that will outline some of your major strengths and weaknesses!.
If you have the money have a book Dr!. or freelance editor look the work over!. Most of them look at your work with a similarly critical eye except you pay them to point out plot errors, continuity issues, fix grammar and spelling, even character development, tone, setting etc!.
However if you are like me than you simply edit and edit again and maybe get some friends to help you out with editing!. Some of my author friends enter their partial works in contests that offer critique as part of the voting process you may look into that as well!. Don't give up after one or two or ten submissions but keep improving on the piece!.

J!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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It sounds like that particular publisher doesn't want you however theres no reason to be upset!. Many famous authors were turned down many times before finally publishing their book!. so don't be discouraged!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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