By Joe Lyon, April 9, 2023
As an author, I’ve always dreamed of having my original horror novel traditionally published by one of the “big five” publishers. With this goal in mind, I have been on a mission to find a literary agent who could help me bring my story to life. However, my journey thus far has been anything but a walk in the park.
Today marks my 14th rejection. While this number may seem insignificant compared to the woman who complained about 46 rejections on a YouTube video, it still feels like a weight on my shoulders. I have 18 pending query requests, some dating back three months, with no response whatsoever. It’s a silent scream in a void of unending waiting.
As I listen to stories from fellow authors, it seems that many literary agents are eager to reject submissions based on the tiniest infractions. A word count that’s off by just a few? Rejected. A query that deviates slightly from the norm? Rejected. And all of this is done without any consideration or feedback on the actual manuscript, often resulting in a swift form letter of rejection or no response at all. How rude, indeed.
It’s disheartening to see literary agents play gatekeeper to publishers with such callous disregard for the hard work and creativity of the authors they’re meant to champion. Some agents even take to YouTube, dedicating hour-long videos to demeaning and belittling authors who are just trying to share their stories with the world. The time spent making these videos could be better spent getting a sense of an author’s manuscript and discovering new, raw talent. Sadly, it seems that some agents struggle with their own vanity, as much as author’s do, prioritizing public appearances over the commercial success and the success of the authors they should be supporting.
I understand that literary agents have a lot on their plates, but the use of form letters for manuscripts that have taken months, if not years, to write is harsh. Offering constructive feedback, even if brief, would go a long way in fostering a more nurturing and respectful relationship between authors and agents.
Despite these challenges, I will continue to pursue the traditional publishing route. However, my confidence in finding a literary agent who will submit my manuscript to any of the big five publishers is dwindling. I’ve also started to question whether I even want to go down this path, considering the advantages of independent publishing, which would allow me to retain full rights to my creative hard work.
As I navigate the treacherous waters of seeking representation, I hold onto the hope that there is a literary agent out there who will appreciate and champion my horror novel. But until then, I will continue to write and consider alternative routes to publication. After all, the stories we create deserve to be shared, no matter the obstacles that stand in our way.
Title: The Bittersweet Journey of Seeking a Literary Agent: A Horror Author’s Tale
As an author, I’ve always dreamed of having my original horror novel traditionally published by one of the “big five” publishers. With this goal in mind, I have been on a mission to find a literary agent who could help me bring my story to life. However, my journey thus far has been anything but a walk in the park.
Today marks my 14th rejection. While this number may seem insignificant compared to the woman who complained about 46 rejections on a YouTube video, it still feels like a weight on my shoulders. I have 18 pending query requests, some dating back three months, with no response whatsoever. It’s a silent scream in a void of unending waiting.
As I listen to stories from fellow authors, it seems that many literary agents are eager to reject submissions based on the tiniest infractions. A word count that’s off by just a few? Rejected. A query that deviates slightly from the norm? Rejected. And all of this is done without any consideration or feedback on the actual manuscript, often resulting in a swift form letter of rejection or no response at all. How rude, indeed.
It’s disheartening to see literary agents play gatekeeper to publishers with such callous disregard for the hard work and creativity of the authors they’re meant to champion. Some agents even take to YouTube, dedicating hour-long videos to demeaning and belittling authors who are just trying to share their stories with the world. The time spent making these videos could be better spent getting a sense of an author’s manuscript and discovering new, raw talent. Sadly, it seems that some agents struggle with their own vanity, as much as author’s do, prioritizing public appearances over the commercial success and the success of the authors they should be supporting.
I understand that literary agents have a lot on their plates, but the use of form letters for manuscripts that have taken months, if not years, to write is harsh. Offering constructive feedback, even if brief, would go a long way in fostering a more nurturing and respectful relationship between authors and agents.
Despite these challenges, I will continue to pursue the traditional publishing route. However, my confidence in finding a literary agent who will submit my manuscript to any of the big five publishers is dwindling. I’ve also started to question whether I even want to go down this path, considering the advantages of independent publishing, which would allow me to retain full rights to my creative hard work.
As I navigate the treacherous waters of seeking representation, I hold onto the hope that there is a literary agent out there who will appreciate and champion my horror novel. But until then, I will continue to write and consider alternative routes to publication. After all, the stories we create deserve to be shared, no matter the obstacles that stand in our way.