Aaawww, so it was close to Dear Ms Reed, No. ?

I am amazed about the "reader" or "intern" thing. In my case, the German agent gave the ms to an editor. What are their required qualifications? Read-happy? Maybe Mat(t) can shed some light. Keep writing.

Saw this post, thought I'd have a punt. Here's what I got back, in return for a synopsis of This World and The Next:- It didn't look right for them. It didn't draw her in and she needed more focus to understand the premise behind the story.
Make of that what you will. I think I'd rather a plain No Thanks. Jane. Miaow.

Hmm. It looks like they're just giving a sentence or two of standard rejection-speak eg 'Didn't draw me in' 'Didn't like main character' etc etc.
Not surprised. After all, imagine the sheer number of submissions. There'll be no time to write detailed crits.
Nevertheless, I was tempted by this, I really was, but on the submissions bit of her website thingy she specified NO SPLATTERGUNK, which was explained as the sort of stuff I write.
So I didn't bother.

From my understanding, the responses back that seemed closest to the standard 'no thanks, not for us' were the ones where there wasn't anything specifically WRONG with the story, it just didn't grab her.

Personally, my rejection said, "While you did this this and this right, I'm afraid you didn't present your characters as sympathetic enough. Try to inject some life into your query/synopsis, instead of just focusing on dry summary." -----------------------------
-Chro
Author of Blades of the Fallen and The Spirit Shifter
And blogger of Journey of the Scribe

This is what's wrong with it all. We are in a 'sound byte' world, where it seems people can write any old trash, but unless they sell it well, it doesn't pass the first hurdle. I could imagine the comments I got being fair enough after a read of the manuscript, but without even an initial chapter to go by? No - that's not the way to do it. Might as well write a letter saying 'My name is 'any minor celeb' and my book is trash - but it will sell.' That's all the 'life' a lot of agents need these days. Not that I'm bitter and twisted of course - oh no - not me - far from it ... after all - the spice girls, Jade, Jordan - they are all amazing writers, yes?

JR

Stop the sketch - it's too silly

My rejection said:

"Though your story looks fast-paced and exciting, I'm afraid this didn't quite draw me in. One of the hardest parts of my job is rejecting perfectly nice queries, which this is, but because it doesn't quite strike the right chord with me, I must step aside and allow another to have a chance at it."

Strangely, I felt quite heartened...
Oh blogger

Given it a punt - I reckon I can package Songs from.. as YA fiction - it's got a 17 yera-old protag, anyway. And it's kind of got a supernatural twist. I'll count how long it takes for the "no".

I see Jodi's got a really interesting blog about this. And, Eilidh, I see she actually bothered to respond to your comment. I don't envy her the task!

Anyone care to share their hundred words? I will if you will!!