How to Handle Literary Agent Rejections (and What to Do Next)

Rejection is an inevitable part of the writing and querying process. Even the most successful authors—J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, and Agatha Christie—were rejected before landing a book deal. While getting a "no" from a literary agent can be discouraging, it doesn't mean your book won't find a home.

So, what should you do after receiving a rejection? In this guide, we'll break down:

• ✅ Why literary agents reject queries (and what it really means)
• ✅ How to interpret different types of rejection letters
• ✅ What steps to take next—revise, refine, or keep querying

Rejections don't define your writing career—how you respond to them does. Let's dive in.

Why Do Literary Agents Reject Queries?

Agents receive hundreds (sometimes thousands) of queries every month—but they can only take on a limited number of new clients. Here are the most common reasons they might pass on your book:

1. The Agent's List is Full

Many agents only take on a few new authors per year. Even if your book is amazing, they may not have room for new clients.

2. Your Book Doesn't Fit Their Taste

Even if your book is technically within their preferred genre, it might not align with their personal interests or the type of stories they're passionate about.

3. Market Trends & Publisher Demand

Agents must consider whether publishers are actively acquiring books like yours. If the market is oversaturated with similar stories, they might pass—even if they love your writing.

4. Your Query Letter Needs Work

A weak query letter can prevent a great book from getting noticed. If your pitch is too vague, too long, or lacks a compelling hook, an agent may move on.

🔗 Related Read: The Ultimate Guide to Querying Literary Agents: Tips & Best Practices

Understanding Different Types of Literary Agent Rejections

Not all rejections mean the same thing. Here's how to decode what an agent's response might be telling you:

🚫 Form Rejection (Generic "No Thanks")

What it means:

• The agent isn't interested, but the reason isn't specified.
• It could be a personal preference or market issue, not necessarily a problem with your book.

📩 Personalized Rejection with Feedback

What it means:

• This is a good sign! The agent saw potential but had a specific reason for passing.
• If multiple agents give similar feedback, consider revising before sending more queries.

💬 Request for a Revise & Resubmit (R&R)

What it means:

• The agent is genuinely interested, but your manuscript needs improvements.
• If you receive an R&R, take it seriously—it means you're close!

What to Do After a Rejection

1️⃣ Assess the Type of Rejection You Received

• Generic form rejection? Keep querying.
• Personalized feedback? Consider revising.
• Multiple rejections with similar comments? Time to rethink your manuscript or query letter.

2️⃣ Improve Your Query Letter

If you're getting only form rejections, your query letter may need work.

• ✅ Does your opening hook grab attention?
• ✅ Is your query under 300 words and to the point?
• ✅ Have you researched each agent to ensure they're the right fit?

🔗 Related Read: How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Literary Agents' Attention

3️⃣ Revise Your Manuscript (If Needed)

If multiple agents mention the same issue, consider revising.

🔹 Tip: Have a critique partner or beta readers review your work before resubmitting.

4️⃣ Keep Querying!

Rejection isn't the end—it's part of the process.

• ✅ Successful authors receive dozens of rejections before getting an agent.
• ✅ If one agent says no, another might say yes.
• ✅ Keep sending queries in batches—don't pin all your hopes on one agent.

🔗 Related Read: The Best Literary Agents for Debut Authors in 2025

Final Thoughts: Persistence is Key

Getting rejected by a literary agent doesn't mean your book isn't good enough—it just means you haven't found the right agent at the right time.

• ✅ Rejections are part of the journey—keep going!
• ✅ Use feedback to refine your query and manuscript.
• ✅ Stay organized and keep submitting to agents who are a good fit.