#this might be revealing a bit too much info but pls this is legit what happened LMAOO 😭🥴

[sundial-bee-scribbles]

"my education is my highest priority" everything returns to vocaloid

[literaticat]

I'm an editor in need of an agent opinion pls! Im new to acquiring - 1.5 years. After rejecting once, most agents never talk to me again, not even to say thx for feedback. My 9 sales are on 1st subs from that person or repeats. I respond within a week if its a clear no and <1 month if its a maybe and I illustrate why it wasnt a fit each time. I realize it may be *what* Im saying/how- but is responding quick/giving 2-3 paragraphs feedback a fauxpas? Is there some etiquette agents expect?

You sound like a ding-danged UNICORN, hon! A WEEK for a no is great, and feedback on a maybe is wonderful. THANK YOU, from all agents, and I'm very sorry if they aren't saying it themselves.

For the declines, like if you want the agent to send you more (but different) things, you can keep the conversation going -- So something like, "This isn't a fit for me, I'm not taking on Picture Book biographies because my colleague so-and-so does so many of those, BUT, I'd love to see XYZ if you happen to have anything like that! I'm attaching my most updated wishlist for your reference and I'd love to set up a call!" This might not always work (sometimes we see "no" and just file it away under "no") -- but at least you should make some more Agent Buddies that way.

As for feedback - I'm NOT SAYING that you do this!!! But I have had the experience a few times where editors -- particularly brilliant young editors in their first couple of years of acquiring -- give feedback with like... Too Much Info, in a way that can be very off-putting.**

For example: I send a MG contemporary. Editor spends two paragraphs in response telling me why it will never sell. "This feels didactic, the characters are flat, nothing happens, I'm not sure why this book was written, it is doing nothing new, it does not distinguish itself and won't sell in this market."

Um... wow. I didn't ask, and yes it will? The problem here is two-fold - the editor is leading with their ego, acting like their opinions are facts. Additionally, they are insulting not just my author and their writing, but also ME and my taste. Not inspiring!

A better way to approach this is to be positive, say something kind, and make the reason for the decline clearly a YOU thing, rather than a "this sucks" thing. Like, "There's a great voice here and I get why you are so fond of this. I did love the premise, but for me the execution felt a little muddled. I found myself getting confused and distracted in the middle there. Ultimately, when I'm on the fence I've realized that I just have to say no, so I'm afraid it has to be a pass, but thanks so much for sending, can't wait to connect with you on something in the future, etc. etc" . . . [Again, I'm not saying that's your problem - but MAYBE that's a BIT of your problem?]

Basically, if you know it is going to be a no regardless, I don't think you need to feel pressure to give a ton of feedback about all the things that are "wrong" with it. At the end of the day, it just wasn't a fit for you, so save yourself the trouble. BUT, if you think that your feedback could potentially legit take this from a "maybe" to a "YES" -- then ask if they want to potentially do an R&R, and THEN spend the time giving them all your wonderful thoughts.

I have no idea if that's helpful but anyway. (Reveal yourself to me in email and I promise I'll write back! :D )

** (And yes, the brilliant young editors generally DO grow out of this and get better 'bedside manner', I think when they are around a bit longer and realize that sometimes they are just WRONG. Like, OK, you turned down this manuscript and said it would never sell and it ended up getting a bunch of starred reviews and awards and now the author is famous.... um.... LOL.)