A Bit Galling--and Offensive.

I got two rejection letters last week.  One was received within half an hour of having sent it off; the other about six hours later.  I like to think that I broke a record when I received the first one; unless the agent in question is so busy that she has an auto reject button--rather like an out of office setting.  Nonetheless, it was nice to get the letter in response.  Nice to get both letters--despite their dream-crushing contents.  There is just nothing worse than the de facto message of no response at all.  That message is:  You are unimportant.  You are so unimportant that you don't even merit a form letter email.  Basically, to us-- you don't even exist.  

This is a bit galling and offensive, especially in light of the fact that a query is essentially a business offer.  

Every store on the planet wants to send me an email.  Every cyber-huckster wants to post comments on my website for free advertising, but these agents? No response for you!  In one sense, they are doing me a favour by demonstrating their business ways.  As much as I want to get my writing career on the published road, I am a little leery of those who can't be bothered to send a form letter that at least acknowledges my request for representation.  

So, I want to say thank you to the few who have bothered to send a letter.  I appreciate you. I appreciate your classy ways.

Well done, FinePrint Literary Agency for being so prompt in your response!

Kudos to you, Liza Dawson Literary Associates for sending me a fine rejection letter!

DeFiore and Company, thank you for the kind statement that your rejection is not a comment on the inherent value of my work.

Thank you, Bent Agency for taking the trouble to hit send!

Writer's House, the professionalism of your agents is much appreciated!

Thanks for wishing me the best of success elsewhere, Clear Sailing Creatives.

I appreciate that Foundry Literary + Media employs a fine assistant to send responses on behalf of their agents.

Hey, JABberwocky Literary Agency, I am grateful that you took the time to tell me that the reason you were passing on my project is that it wasn't intriguing enough.

Okay--I began that thank you list in legitimate appreciation for those who sent a response, but I had to go back over my rejection letters to write it and they started to sound mean after that last one.  

When I feel discouraged I have a habit of looking up inspiring stories of authors who overcame numerous rejections.  There is Pyrrhic prestige in getting someone to be excruciatingly unkind about your work.  At least they read it and had a reaction--even if it was an allergic one.