Q - 8/7/2025
R - 1/12/2026
80k Adult Romance/Adventure

"Thank you so much for your query, but I'm going to decline at this time. Unfortunately, your word count is too high for me to consider representation for your age range and genre.

I know you've put a lot of time and effort into your project. Take heart: the publishing industry is very subjective, so what may not work for me could be just what another agency is looking for. I strongly encourage you to continue your pursuit of publication, but I encourage researching articles on word count within your age range and genre. If you do go back and edit, continuing to work on getting GOLD RUSH to a reasonable word count, I would look forward to seeing it in my inbox again.

In your search for the perfect agent you may want to check out Writers Digest Guide to Literary Agents blog. I have found it to be a great resource for finding new agents that are looking to build their lists.

I also encourage writers to gather beta readers and critique partners to help hone your craft; their suggestions can be invaluable.

Thank you for considering me for your manuscript and I wish you great success with your writing career.

Warm Regards,
Taj McCoy"

Frankly, I find this confusing and absurd. I don't have a way of reaching out to clarify what she believes my wordcount should be and can't imagine 80k being unreasonable for an adult debut novel. I can only assume the WC was misread or the wrong form was sent. Either way, this agent seems swamped with the film adaptation of her own novel and I assume it's affecting her query responses.

Best wishes to everyone querying

EDIT: Just found out another author got a the exact same rejection for a pretty reasonable adult word count today, too. If you receive this form, maybe take it with a grain of salt.

Q-8/9/25

I mistakenly withdrew my submission because it was flagged by the system. I was thinking that it was rejected, but I thank Ms. McCoy for the message she sent to me clarifying that it was not rejected and was still being considered. I thank her for writing me a personal note, because she didn't have to. Hopefully, I will have another chance in the future to query her again.

138 day response time
to reject NA Dystopia with form letter

Queried: 10/9/25
Rejected: 12/4/25
Form rejection
YA Historical fiction, 86K

QM: 9/29/2025
FR: 12/4/2025

YA Historical Fantasy 90K words

"Thank you so much for letting me review [TITLE], but I'm going to decline at this time. Unfortunately, the opening pages just aren't pulling me in the way I had hoped.

I know you've put a lot of time and effort into your project. Take heart: the publishing industry is very subjective, so what may not work for me could be just what another agency is looking for. I strongly encourage you to continue your pursuit of publication.

Thank you for considering me for your manuscript and I wish you great success with your writing career."