EQ: 12/07/2021
ER: 12/20/2021
YA Adventure Romance 120k

Polite step aside from his assistant; I'm grateful for the speed, even if it is a form

Stephen's assistant: Thank you so much for giving us a chance to look at your project.
I’ve reviewed your submission with Stephen and I’m sorry to report that we just aren’t wholeheartedly connecting with your work, despite its many charms. So, we should step aside. We truly appreciate the look, though, and hope you find someone who is passionate about your project and confident in their ability to position it. We wish you nothing but the best of luck.

Nice personal from Stephen's assistant: Hi Dick,Thank you so much for giving us a chance to look at your project.
I’ve reviewed your submission with Stephen and I’m sorry to report that we just aren’t wholeheartedly connecting with your work, despite its many charms. So, we should step aside. We truly appreciate the look, though, and hope you find someone who is passionate about your project and confident in their ability to position it. We wish you nothing but the best of luck.

Sincerely,
Erica
Erica McGrath
Assistant to Stephen Barr • Writers House, LLC
120 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10271
212-685-2400

EQ: 9/24/21
FR: 10/25/21
Same, "Many Charms" form letter.

68k Satire

Just when you smile and take a bit of solace in the midst of yet another rejection by his assistant writing that "despite the book's many charms" they won't be going forward with your work, you see that the same phrase was used in another's rejection. I guess they say that to all the suitors.....

Memoir (119,000 words, 20 days between submission and response)
Thank you so much for giving us a chance to look at your project.
I’ve reviewed your submission with Stephen and I’m sorry to report that we just aren’t wholeheartedly connecting with your work, despite its many charms. So, we should step aside. We truly appreciate the look, though, and hope you find someone who is passionate about your project and confident in their ability to position it. We wish you nothing but the best of luck.

EQ: 9/27/2021
ER: 10/26/2021 (form)

YA contemporary / SF / romance (80k)
---
"Thank you so much for giving us a chance to look at your project.

I’ve reviewed your submission with Stephen and I’m sorry to report that we just aren’t wholeheartedly connecting with your work, despite its many charms. So, we should step aside. We truly appreciate the look, though, and hope you find someone who is passionate about your project and confident in their ability to position it. We wish you nothing but the best of luck."

Queried 10th September, 2021
Decline 25th October

Response from secretary.
YA dystopian 120k
It’s funny how the rejections don’t stop coming, even after one has signed with another agent. Like you vacate the querying stage but still get these mails that makes your heart pause like you’re still in the trenches :)

8/10/21 - EQ
8/27/21 - ER
PB

EQ: 07/05/2021
ER: 7/22/2021
Form rejection
MG paranormal (48K)

@ 21 dayS:

Thank you so much for giving us a chance to look at your project.

I’ve reviewed your submission with Stephen and I’m sorry to report that we just aren’t wholeheartedly connecting with your work, despite its many charms. So, we should step aside. We truly appreciate the look, though, and hope you find someone who is passionate about your project and confident in their ability to position it. We wish you nothing but the best of luck.

Sincerely,
Erica

EQ: 6/22/2021
ER (form-ish, gentle let-down): 7/15/2021

YA contemporary epic 163k

EQ:6/12/21

EQ: 8/4/20
FR: 9/22/20 from assistant
Nudged: 5/26/21
Customized, helpful, polite rejection: 5/26/21 (with apologies for his delayed response)

MG Contemporary, 60K

This is a repost from below because I updated my account (previously shddavis). Given other comments, it seems 12-13 months isn't abnormal on his full requests. Waiting patiently while working feverishly on my next projects was the way to go!

EQ 4/30/21
ER 5/11/21, form rejection from assistant

Picture book, text only