Query sent: 13 Apr 2022
Women's Historical Fiction

FILM AND TV

VS: Sorry, but with fiction an endangered species these days, I cannot take this on. Best luck with the novel. Victoria

Query to someone else at the agency: 11/22/21
Initial agent forwarded to Victoria: 1/7/21
Victoria's full request: 1/7/22
Rejection: 1/24/22
Upmarket fiction, 92K

I expected a rejection, because I suspected my MS wouldn't fit her tastes based on her sales and listed faves. But after reading the other comments here, I was looking forward to some straight shootin' about why. Sadly, she just said she wasn't loving it enough to represent it.

Query Sent: Sept. 23, 2021
MS Type Contemporary Adult 116K words
Full MS Requested: Jan. 4 2022
MS Rejected: Jan 19, 2022

After a long process, I sent my MS and waited. The rejection I received (below) was professional and kind but not very helpful.

Anthony – You begin this novel beautifully, but as it went on, it became too drawn out, plus the beginning made me feel as if there might be a suspense element. That is, Cole’s recuperation did not quite hold my attention strongly enough. But you write very well and I’d happily read your next work. Victoria

Pretty straightforward no: "Thanks but the novel is not for me. Victoria" At least the agent responded and did so quickly (four days after submission of query).

FQ -- 8/15/2021 Spec Fiction 84K
FR & sent -- 10/8/2021 (I'm stoked)
ER -- 10/20/2021 (not so stoked)

EQ: 4/23/2020 Adult Espionage Thriller 78,000 words
FR: 4/23/2020 Adult Espionage Thriller 3 hours after query was sent
ER 5/4/2020 Helpful comments Suggested I hire an independent editor
ELetter 8/31/2021 Sent a letter respectfully requesting she read my now edited 75,000 word Espionage Thriller
9/1/2021 Full Request of my edited and revised manuscript Sent the same day
10/12/2021 E Letter. Nudge
10/12/2021 ER Said she sent an email and it must not have gone through, but it is a pass. Appreciate her getting back to me. So many don't.

08/16/2021: Rejection. This one is crushing. After our interactions I thought for sure she was going to take it. Feeling like throwing in the towel after this one.
08/14/2021: She sent me an email letting me know she was still reading (and enjoying it!)
Sub revised: 07/14/2021
Update 05/13/2021 - After taking Miss Skurnick’s advice I have hired a freelance editor to go over my manuscript with a timeframe of roughly 8 weeks. Miss Skurnick advised me to resubmit once I’ve revised.
Pass 05/04/2021 Very helpful rejection though, suggested the name of a free lance editor to help with some revisions.
Full request: 04/21/2021
Query sub: 04/08/2021
Mystery 82k

EQ: 06/06/2021
FR: 06/08/2021
ER: 06/14/2021

"There are wonderful things about this novel, but with fiction practically an endangered species, I dare not take it on. Very best luck with the book."

I don't really get why she'd want to look at a fiction novel if she thinks fiction is a hard sell right now. Frustrating when they do this. But the positive feedback is encouraging <3

Fingers crossed!

Literary adult, 98k

adult female-driven comm fantasy-mag realism 88k 11/28/20

3 days after query "I'm not the agent for this book."

FQ: Hist Fiction, 90K, sent Sept. 29/20
FR: "Sorry to say I am not the agent for this novel."

Abrupt rejection. Woeful story about COVID affecting publishing. UGH.

One line rejection.

EQ 7/9 Upmarket
Full request 7/10
Rejected 7/20 with helpful if depressing comments re: fiction marketplace

"You’re a wonderful writer, but I don’t believe I could succeed with the novel in the current market. Honestly, I’m having trouble selling anything right now, between the Covid pandemic and social unrest. But also, the backing and forthing here between times and places drives me a bit crazy. I know there are others who aren’t bothered by this but alas I am. But that’s not why I’m turning this down; it is really about the current market for fiction, which is the worst I’ve ever dealt with. Having said that, I’d love a chance to read your next work. I truly love your writing."