Why Great Manuscripts Still Get Rejected—And What to Do About It

You finally did it. You finished your manuscript, polished it until it gleamed, had a few beta readers swoon over it, maybe even worked with a freelance editor. You're confident it's strong—maybe even really strong.

So why are the rejections still rolling in?

It’s one of the most frustrating parts of the publishing journey: feeling like you did everything right and still hearing “no.”

As a literary agent, I want to pull back the curtain and let you in on something that doesn’t get talked about enough:

Great manuscripts get rejected all the time.

And it’s not always because they aren’t good enough.

Let’s talk about why manuscripts get rejected —and what you can do about it.

5 Reasons a Manuscript Gets Rejected

1. It’s Not Just About the Writing

Yes, your writing matters. But publishing is a business, which means I’m not just reading for quality—I’m reading for marketability. I’m constantly asking:

• Can I sell this in today’s market?

• Is there a clear audience for this?

• How does this compare to what’s already on shelves?

• Can I pitch this in two sentences?

Sometimes, I’ll read a manuscript that’s beautiful but... not sellable. It might be in a saturated niche, hard to categorize, or lacking a clear hook that will grab an editor’s (and eventually a reader’s) attention.

👉 What you can do: Instead of just asking, “Is this good?” ask, “Is this commercial?” Study recent comp titles. Analyze what makes them hooky and pitchable.

2. Your Query Letter Needs Love

I’ve seen fantastic manuscripts buried under query letters that were confusing, too long, missing key info, or wildly mismatched with the tone of the book.

If your query doesn’t immediately show me who the book is for and why it matters, I might not even get to your pages—because I get hundreds of queries a month, and I only have so much bandwidth.

👉 What you can do:

• Lead with your hook, not your feelings.

• Make sure your genre, word count, and comps are accurate.

• Keep it tight.

• Show me you understand your market and your reader.

3. Sometimes It’s Timing

I might already be pitching something similar. Or I may have too many projects on my list. Or I may know that an editor I’d normally pitch this to just acquired a similar book and won't be interested for another year.

You can’t control that—and neither can I.

👉 What you can do:

• Keep querying.

• Keep researching agents.

• Sometimes the rejection isn’t personal or a reflection of your book’s potential. It's logistics.

4. You’re Close...But Not Quite There Yet

I get a lot of queries that make me think, “This has potential…but it’s not ready.” That could mean:

• The concept is strong but the execution needs work.

• The opening pages drag.

• The characters feel flat.

• The voice isn’t quite right for the genre or age category.

👉 What you can do:

• Get feedback from people who don’t know you personally. Critique partners. Paid editorial assessments. Query critique groups. The truth can sting, but it will make your work stronger—and your rejections fewer.

• Keep editing.

• Keep learning! Attend conferences and workshops to polish your craft.

5. The Industry is Subjective (Yes, Really)

You’ve probably heard this a million times, but I’ll say it again: this industry is deeply subjective.

I’ve passed on projects that I knew someone else might scoop up. I’ve fallen in love with stories other agents didn’t connect with. That’s the nature of storytelling—it’s personal.

👉 What you can do:

• Don’t let a “no” mean “never.”

• Keep going. Keep improving.

• Keep believing in the story only you can tell.

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The Bottom Line

Rejection hurts. No matter how many times people tell you, “It’s part of the process,” it still stings—especially when you’ve poured yourself into something you believe in.

But please know this: If you’re getting form rejections, it doesn’t mean your book is bad. If you’re getting personalized rejections, you’re getting closer. If you’re not getting any responses, there may be a disconnect between your pitch and your manuscript.

You’re not doing this wrong. You’re doing what every author before you has done—learning, revising, and growing.

You just might be one “yes” away from everything changing.

Rejection is easier to take when you're surrounded by supportive writer friends! Join our Profitable Picture Book Program for guidance on how to get published, and community of fellow writers to cheer you on!