Hi Léonicka! Is it okay for me to ask for feedback after getting a rejection letter from an agent?
I get this question quite often and I understand why. It’s tough getting rejection letters but even harder when you don’t have any sense of what you could do better next time! The urge to ask for feedback is normal.
I don’t think it’s rude to ask for feedback but I’ll admit I rarely respond to those requests. If I have strong and constructive feelings about a project that I’m turning down, I try to give that feedback in the initial rejection letter. A form rejection from me usually means I have nothing useful to say or don’t have time to say all the things.
There are two major reasons why I don’t include feedback in all my rejection letters. The first is obviously time. Thoughtful, constructive, and actionable feedback takes significant time and attention to produce. I earn money on a commission basis so spending a lot of time on the projects I have zero chance of selling (because I’ve passed) is bad business. The second reason is writers’ reactions to feedback. The vast majority of the writers I’ve encountered are gracious and polite (or silent, which is perfectly fine). But the 10% who are rude or demanding or simply don’t respect boundaries after a rejection, are enough to make me feel foolish for wasting unpaid time.
My advice would be to stop thinking of rejection letters as a potential source of feedback. The primary question when you query an agent is “Would you like to represent me and my manuscript?” A form rejection letter answers that question succinctly. If your true question is “Is my manuscript good enough? Why or why not?” consider seeking feedback from writers’ groups, experienced mentors, and a wide range of readers.
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