EQ: 10/11/20
ER: 10/12/20 (same form as below)

Historical 104k

EQ: 09/24
ER; 09/29 Literary 75K

Though it was a form rejection, I found it refreshingly straightforward.

[My Name]: I'm afraid this won't work for us. Today, publishers typically make business (rather than artistic / creative) decisions; only taking on what their sales and marketing departments say is a sure thing. And, unfortunately, I don't believe this is sure to break out of a very crowded marketplace. Others might feel differently however, so obviously don't take my response as the final word.

I also submitted a query letter to submissions@SarahJaneFreymann.com and it was bounced back as undeliverable.

Emailed query to address on this site and website: submissions@SarahJaneFreymann.com
but it kicked back. Deciding whether to use his personal email address (although instructed to use agency one).

EQ 2-11-20 A Father's SIn Thriller 80k

Email query 11/22/19
Partial request, 6 chapters, 11/28/19 (Thanksgiving Day)
Full request, chapter 7 through the end, 11/30/19

Update 12/3/19: Steve emailed me with some questions (publishing history, did I already have an agent, would I be willing to change the ending of the manuscript, some others). Not sure how to feel. That is definitely not a rejection but I'm reluctant to feel enthusiasm, since it's still not an offer of representation, nor even a revise&resubmit.

Update 12/5/19: "Now through the holidays is a very busy period, but if are still looking for an agent after the first of the new year please be back in touch."

Update 1/10/20: I got back in touch on 1/6/20. Today he emailed me with an offer of representation. I've asked for 10 days to contact the other agents I've queried, because it's always nice to have choice, but I'll be happy to sign with Steve regardless.

Updated 1/20/20: I accepted Steve's offer of representation.

Crime novel, 79k words

EQ: 1/15/2020
ER: 1/16/2020

Query: 10/29/19
Reject: 10/31/19
Form letter (with first name spelt incorrectly just to add to the utter humiliation factor)
Carolyn: I'm afraid this won't work for us; the plot just didn't grab me. Others might feel differently, so obviously don't take my response as the final word.

Sincerely,
Steve Schwartz

EQ 9/20/19 (DIplomatic Immunity)
ER 9/23/19 (Passed--not going to work--same as CR's rejection.)

Congrats ANSmith!

EQ: 8/17/19 (Crime fiction, 71K)
PR: 8/21/19 (sent 8/21)
FR: 8/22/19 (sent 8/22)
ER: 8/24/19

EQ 8/14/19 (Requery Chain Reaction)
ER 8/19/19 (Passed--not convinced to sell it successfully)

EQ - 05/08/2019
ER - 05/11/2019
Form - oh, and got my name wrong too (Carl)
And it isn't personalized, it's a form.

Carl: I'm afraid this won't work for us. Today, publishers typically make business (rather than artistic / creative) decisions; only taking on what their sales and marketing departments say is a sure thing. And this isn't sure to break out of a very crowded marketplace. Others might feel differently however, so obviously don't take my response as the final word.

EQ 5/6/19 (2nd/final Requery Venom)
ER 5/13/19 (Passed--didn't work out and not good fit)

EQ 3/21
ER 3/22

He wrote a personalized note about the premise might not sell well in a crowded market but not to take his word as "final"

EQ 2/16.
Nice personalized rejection 2/20, essentially, "publishers only choose what's guaranteed to sell well and while this reads quite well, we can't count on sales."