I recently got “Thank you very much… Your artwork is great but unfortunately…” was excited for a second
Agents and art directors and whoever else says this need to… not say this. Great? What words do they use to describe Sendak’s work? Greater? Super awesome?
The only time “great, but…” makes sense is if they follow it up with, “No, really. It’s great. I just don’t have the room right now. Here are agents that you should contact. I hope they don’t sign you so that I have some time to figure out how to fit you on my roster because your work is great.”
That’s it.
It continues to surprise me how people who work with words can’t use them very well in rejection letters.
The agent should have said, “I like your work. Especially this part and that part. It’s interesting what you’re doing with X. I can see your work published in books sooner or later (if she really does think it’s “great”). This publisher and that publisher might be good fits. Perhaps contact this editor with your dummy (again, if it’s so great). I can’t rep you because I don’t have the room right now, but if you do receive a contract, I would be happy to help you negotiate it (since, you know, the art is great).
To illustrators, “great” means great.
To some of these agents, “great” means less than worthy of representation.
Stephen, I always enjoy your work. Been true for years. It does remind me of some of the classic British cartoonists (Blake, Ardizzone) with a little Susan Meddaugh (creator of Martha Speaks) mixed in. There’s always been a sort of kinetic energy in your line work. That’s sort of your hallmark. And I know how hard you work on your craft. And how you continue to keep pushing through, querying, and learning.
It stinks that the agent passed. The good news is, there are always more agents. The better news is, independent publishers are out there—and they don’t hide behind agents. And they’re just as legitimate as the “Big 5”.
Keep going, man. Rejections suck. I was recently passed up for a job opportunity for god knows what reason. They didn’t say. It hurts. But you just keep going.
