Queried 11/22/24

Sci-fi/Fantasy - 92K

QM 9/1
70k women's fiction/upmarket
Full Request 9/5
Kind and encouraging rejection 9/17
"Unfortunately I'm going to decline the opportunity to pursue representation. Your writing is strong and I love your topic, but I'm not sure how to sell it in this tough fiction market. You may be better represented by an agent who's specialty is upmarket and women's fiction."

Sent query 3rd September, Received response 5th September.

Reading other comments and wondering if queries are fully looked into. As I have nearly 17,000 followers on X, podcast, long standing blog etc... and those represented have much smaller platforms.

My book is non-fiction sent an over 70 page proposal too. Sharing so that if anybody else has their manuscript rejected they can see it seems to be common and quick and to not give up.

Some understanding of what their basis is for a large platform would be useful. My response from today.

.....................

I like your book idea and I think it has potential. I wish I could pursue representation, but unfortunately the large publishers with whom I work require a more fully-developed platform.

I encourage you to continue building. It isn't about promoting yourself, but about connecting with your target reader. I would advise taking another year or so to share your message while building your social media numbers, at which time you could have a shot at a major publisher.

You could also choose to go with a smaller publisher that requires neither an agent nor large platform numbers.

Some great places to search for publishers and agents online: (and then a list of where to go)

Received form rejection, not from Rachelle, but from one of the other agents. Hmmmmm.