As everyone else has said, he sent me a very kind rejection letter within four days of querying, with personalized input on my nonfiction subject and a compliment that is more than enough to keep me chugging along ("your writing is stellar"). If you're feeling demoralized in your submissions process, I'd suggest querying him to get a boost if nothing else. :)

Funny and sweet rejection letter, but also, querying authors, please note, he doesn't rep fantasy or witches:

"I’m terrible at fantasy/witchcraft. I’ve never read it. Couldn’t get into The Hobbit or The Sword of Shannara or Eragon. I’ve never read any books about the cult /books with witches. Watching Game of Thrones is a stretch for me – and I’d never read the books. You need an agent who really knows the genre and the competition. I’d only end up being a hindrance and disappointment, so I’m going to step aside. Best of luck with this!"

Nicest rejection letter, ever.Nice guy.

EQ 4/11/19
EQ 4/11/19
PB

Same day rejection, but I am so appreciative of Kevin's specific feedback and thoughtfulness.

EQ: 4/9 (PB)
ER: 4/11

Thinking it's a form, but so hard to tell anymore. "...cute and fun but I’m ..." No feedback, unfortunately. Still, I have nothing bad to say about a quick rejection!

Also, what does TM stand for here? "...can’t be the TM guy to knock this out of the park for you..."

EQ: 04.04.19 (picture book)
ER: 04.08.19

Kevin was encouraging and prompt in his reply. He sent a personalized and meaningful response, not a form letter.

EQ: 2.25.19 (picture book)
ER: 2.25.19

Kevin was incredibly helpful in his feedback. He sent us guidance on picture book best practices and some advice on what specifically could be improved with our text. We made revisions and re-sent to him and while he didn't take it on, he did give us some really useful insight into the market we're trying to enter, and why he couldn't take it on.

EQ:2/10/19
ER:2/11/19

I got something like, " I think it would be hard for me to position and sell so I’m going to step out of the way. You deserve—and the work requires –an agent who ‘gets’ what you’re doing from day one and knows exactly how to market it. Sorry I can’t be that guy for this project."

EQ 1-21-19
FR 1-22-19
Polite and amusingly said YA is not his specialty. Passed me on to colleagues.

EQ: 10/29
ER: 10/31

PB, 300 Words
Said it was a sweet story, but not what he's looking for in a PB. Sent some info on what editors are looking for in PB's (character-driven stories where a want/need is explored and the character learns more via the resolution). Not gonna lie, I thought my book had those qualities, but maybe it needs more. Definitely the nicest rejection I've gotten so far though and I appreciate the speedy response : )

Although he rejected my submission, he did so with the kindest and most encouraging message I have ever received from an agent: "The writing is beautiful, but I’m not connecting with the set up as much as I had hoped. I think it would be hard for me to position and sell so I’m going to step out of the way. You deserve—and the work requires –an agent who ‘gets’ what you’re doing from day one and knows exactly how to market it. Sorry I can’t be that guy for this project."

Although it was not what I was hoping to read, Kevin O'Connor's reply was the most encouraging I have ever received: "The writing is beautiful, but I’m not connecting with the set up as much as I had hoped. I think it would be hard for me to position and sell so I’m going to step out of the way. You deserve—and the work requires –an agent who ‘gets’ what you’re doing from day one and knows exactly how to market it. Sorry I can’t be that guy for this project."

EQ: 10/12/19
ER: 10/14/19

Very kind, personalized rejection stating that he's not an animal person so my story wouldn't be a good fit for him. (Chapter book about a dog)

EQ: 9/24/18
ER: 10/3/18

Nice personal note.

EQ: 9/17/2018
ER: 9/20/2018 Nice note in that he doesn't read my particular genre and felt it'd be too frustrating if he tried to work with it.

Literary/historical fiction