Dear Author…

I was delighted to receive your query, and I have given it my most careful attention.

We appreciate your patience in allowing us to completely evaluate your material, giving it the ample attention it deserves.

Please forgive this impersonal note regarding your query.

Please accept my apology for this form response.

Apologies for not answering in a more personal manner; given the large number of inquiries, it is simply not possible.

We are a small agency and do not have the staff to critique everything we receive.

I wish I could talk to every author who contacts us. Although that is not possible, you can read an interview with me on the subject of career development on my agency’s website.

Please be assured that your manuscript has been read and thoroughly evaluated.

There are many reasons to decline a manuscript.

Under other circumstances, I might want to take a look at some of your writing, but I’m afraid I am swamped with current circumstances.

While this appears to be a strong project, I’m afraid it doesn’t strike me as a likely fit with me and my particular editorial contacts.

The extract was read with interest, but unfortunately we are not interested in pursuing this project.

After review of your materials, we must respectfully pass.

Unfortunately your project does not meet with my current needs.

We don’t feel that it is quite the right fit for us.

I’m afraid I wasn’t drawn into it to the extent I would need to be to offer my representation.

I’m not convinced I could succeed in placing your work.

Unfortunately your novel is not right for us.

I regret it is not a match.

Not for me. Thanks anyway.

It’s not worth my time.This has nothing to do with the quality of the work.

My taste is eclectic and I am always seeking some balance in my client list.

We are taking on only a limited number of clients and feel that your work is not a good fit for our list.

As an agent I have to jump on those projects that excite me from the get go.

Please accept my regrets concerning your proposed submission.

Reading tastes are very personal however, so another agent may feel differently.

We certainly recognize that might well be passing up a good opportunity.

Your work deserves only the most passionate of advocates, and I am sure that with a book like this, you will find a good home for it.

We’re sorry for giving you a disappointing response.

We hope that you are not disheartened.

You may well become a hugely successful author, and this letter will become a document of our total failure to sign you before the lecherous hands of another gets their hooks into you.

We encourage you to keep writing and try other agents.

Best of luck elsewhere.