Top 10 Reasons Your Submission Was Rejected

Kim and James discuss the top 10 reasons why a literary agent would reject your submission.

To learn more, visit our blog!

Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He's just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders. James is currently growing his own list and is actively seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense. He is also accepting submissions in all sub-genres of Young Adult fiction, and is actively looking for Picture Books that make him laugh.
--
With a client list including women's fiction, mystery, young adult and romance, Kim enjoys working on a wide range of books. She's currently eager to grow her list in the areas of women's fiction, suspense, and young adult. Most especially, as an Autism mom, she is dedicated to representing the stories and voices of individuals with special needs and their families. Originally from Pennsylvania, Kim currently resides in New Jersey with her son (knock-knock jokester extraordinaire), daughter (budding Francophile and resident drama queen), husband (80s aficionado and sports trivia master) and Winston the twenty-pound cat.

Connect with BookEnds!

[jennymaupin]

Thank you so much for this info. There is a lot of confusing information out there.

[melanievallely]

Thank you so much for your videos - I've been binge-watching them this past week. I'm getting to the end of my revisions, and your videos have eased so many of my fears about querying. I appreciate it!

[lesliescott]

You guys seriously make me want to query BookEnds. lol Love it.

[arceydear]

Thank you so much for this vlog. It is very helpful.

[britsaunders]

Subscribed just because I want that video on pacing. Thanks for posting!

[birdwitch]

Ahh Kaz, LOVE the Six of Crows series! Peaky Blinders meets Ocean’s 11 plus magic, so so good.

More videos on YA please!!

[lovetrustandpixiedust]

Thank you for sharing these invaluable tips and insight, Kim and James! Helps loads as I'm preparing to query soon.

[sachacumming]

Thanks for the great video, super helpful. I'd love to see you guys make a video on

[ArtemisMS]

Question for you guys! If you get a submission rejection that praised the story and characters but ultimately said it was a pass due to "didn't fall in love, " can you read anything into that, or just chalk it up as bad luck?

[ClintLoweTube]

Most books are heavy on telling. Few authors can show.

[sophieoddling]

I was wondering how much of a deal-breaker it is when your name is googled and it shows that for a brief moment in your life you desperately wanted to see your book as a tangible entity so you self published? I didn’t always include this information in my queries (now I do) because I just didn’t realize it was a big deal. Especially because the book I self published is NOT the book I am sending out queries for. I’ve gotten a lot of rejections and I don’t know if it’s because my book isn’t right or if it’s because I self published something else once upon a time. Thanks! Always love your videos!

[garykleinberger]

Your videos do help alot. Very nerve whacking when i send something and hoping for good news. I hate being rejected maybe now i wont be. Does your agency accept picture book manuscripts?

[eliasmcclellan]

These are good reminders as I get ready to get back in that game. Thanks for the tips.

[Exorbity]

I'd like to hear all-knowing reasons from the agents who rejected J.K.Rowling, lol.

[gdeec]

We have different readers, opinions and stories. As a reader, I skipped many pages and when I wrote my own story, I wanted it to be an easy read. It may not win any awards, may not have the best grammar and punctuation for the academics, but it is mine. :-)

[lynnevanspro]

I apparently have a habit of showing, but then immediately "telling". My editor caught it, thankfully, so I'm fixing it. But I'll describe an emotion well and then I'll *name* the emotion right after. So I show AND tell? I'm so weird...

[WriterandPhotographer]

I feel a little better after watching your video that some of my many recent queries may not put any agents off too much. I guess I don't understand why there is frequent mention of YA, MG and picture books, but not any mention of chapter books? I have authored the first in a chapter book series, but it doesn't seem like there are many agents who have an interest in this space.

[LauraWilsonAnderson]

These videos make me paranoid. I'm going to scour my query letter as soon as I finish these videos! And - omg I hate track changes... LOL.

[azuarc]

How often is a submission rejected for the side materials rather than the query itself, and what are the red flags there?

[tonyparete]

Number one reason you got rejected: you didn't know/bribe/kiss the ass of the rejecting agent ahead of time.