EQ: 7/7/26 YA mystery
R: 8/5/26 (at the end)

Though disappointed to get a rejection, it was a kind rejection. I'm honestly thrilled to have gotten a response at all, because he seems to rely heavily on the no-answer-is-a-no method. Considering his response rate is only 25%, I feel like he thought my Q was at least worth looking at further. The R may be a form letter, or it may be a real sentiment (in which case, I'm pleased).

note: his website says he also accepts queries via LitConnect, so I tried there too. It shows he never saw it on LitConnect.

"Thank you for sending me TITLE. While this has an intriguing premise, I sadly don't feel this is a match for my current list, and so it's a pass from me. I do wish you the best in finding a home for your book.

kind regards,
Donovan"

Submitted query

5 Novemver 2025
85,500 words genre bending psycholgical/supernatural

Full manuscript request :
21 January 2026

Submitted
23rd January 2026

Nudged
6 March 2026

Reply
26 March 2026
still reviewing - hopes to get back to me in April ( wish me luck)

Nudged again
13 May 2026

Reply
21 May 2026
Advised he would get in touch in the coming weeks

Third nudge
8th July
22 July no reply

It is now 03/08/2026 - and no reply from the last nudge - after such a positive few interactions which looked hopeful I am balancing between - is he just busy or am I being ghosted - I just dont know and its killing - sometime a bugger off your book is crap is better than nothing

FInal nudge sent - 05/08/2026 - will wait till month end then finally for my sanity mark as CNR

Historical fiction 78k
Q: 7/3/26
Personalized rejection: 7/8/26

Nov 11: Live pitch (requested 1st 3 chapters)
Jan 23: Full request
April 3: email (Thanks for your patience. I wanted you to know I'm still considering [X] and would like to set up a quick chat to ask a few questions about your vision for the work.
April 10: call

I had assumed this was "the call" but he did not offer representation, he said he was still deciding between me and other writers and would get back to me in a few weeks. I got off the call disappointed and anxious, so I posted about it on threads. There was a big negative reaction saying that this isn't something agents normally do or say and that I should reconsider working with him. The post got back to his agency, and he emailed again in a few days with an offer and an apology, saying I misunderstood him and that he'd like to represent me.

Ultimately, I decided to pass.