My definition of a 'good' rejection

I'm not exactly sure how I will handle it if I actually get something other than a rejection notice. As it is, I look at each rejection and mentally put it into a category of "good, bad, worse."

A "good" rejection is not one in which the agent says anything nice about my work. It is one in which the agent gives me some clue as to why they have rejected the work. This is all-important even though — as every single rejection notice says — this is a very subjective field and one opinion often doesn't mean much.

So here is a rejection from agent Katie Grimm of Don Congdon Associates:

Dear Phil,

Thank you for your email query and apologies for the delay. I appreciate the opportunity to consider FOUND IN TRANSLATION for possible representation, but I’m afraid I’m not the right agent for it. The concept just didn’t grab me, and you deserve an enthusiastic agent who can champion your work. Of course this is only one response, and tastes vary widely among agents. I wish you the best of luck finding the right home for your work.

I love this for a number of reasons. First, she apologized for the delay! Can you believe it? This is unheard of. Second she tells me that "the concept just didn't grab me." OK, that tells me something.

That doesn't mean that my concept is off, it could be that the letter I wrote explaining the concept is bad. OR, yeah, the concept could be bad.

At least it gives me something to think about!

Thanks, Katie!

Yours in rejection,

Phil