Rejections/Connections

They - as in those published before me - say to wallpaper your walls with your rejections. I’ve decided to plaster them onto this virtual wall. I’m killing less trees and, goodness knows, between homeschool and writing - I kill a whole lotta trees!

I consider the rejections as an “at least they read it!” and it's motivation to keep on writing, revising, and just being brave and getting the words I write out there. I signed up with Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Challenge in 2021-2022 and used it to get my work out there between different publishing houses, editors, agents, and critique groups. In 2023, I decided not to do 12x12 again because it didn’t feel like the right spot for a Christian writer and I wanted to spend some time on actual revisions.

So, here is where I will share my rejections/connections and perhaps even a “Yes! We must have your book!”

Scroll ALL THE WAY to the bottom because (I’ll ruin the ending for you) there is a “YES!” I have an agent! I am signed with Karen Neumair with Credo Communications. AND...we sold a book!! My debut board book is due out in Spring of 2026.

The journey continues because I'm still writing and my agent (who is the best!) is out there pitching my books (that is still so surreal to me).

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 

Ephesians 3-20-21

January 22, 2021

Associate Editor:

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much for sending us “Chase the Cable Car.” At this time, we do not have any openings for fiction.

Me:

Thank you for getting back to me! I appreciate your time.

Associate Editor:

Of course! And please don’t be discouraged. This was a really fun and engaging story. Our fiction slots just fill up the fastest.

February 10, 2021

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for your interest and sending CHASE THE CABLE CAR for our consideration. It is a unique story with a unique setting, which definitely sets it apart from others. Unfortunately, with having such a small list and needing to be extra choosey, we ultimately decided to pass on the work. Please do not let this decision deter you from submitting this story to other publishers who might find it a good fit for their lists.

We appreciate the opportunity to review your work and hope to see more of your stories in the future.

February 11, 2021

Hi Jennifer,
Thank you so much for giving me the chance to consider your work. I've had a chance to review your submission, and I'm sorry to share I don't feel that it's the perfect fit for my list at this time.

I wish you all the best, and really hope you connect with the right agent soon.

Take care, and stay safe!

March 10, 2021

Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your patience and for allowing me to consider your manuscript, ELI THE AWFUL PIRATE. After carefully reviewing your submission, I've determined that this particular project isn't the right fit for me at this time. I'm sorry I don't bring better news.

Thanks again for the opportunity to read your work. I wish you the best of luck in all of your writing and publishing endeavors!

May 5, 2021

Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your query! Unfortunately, your manuscript isn't quite the right fit for me at this time. The concept and the voice of the sample pages didn't connect with me as much as I'd hoped. Due to this, I don't believe I'm the right agent to champion this piece.

I know you've put a lot of time and effort into your project. Take heart: the publishing industry is very subjective, so what may not work for me could be just what another agency is looking for. I strongly encourage you to continue your pursuit of publication.

Thank you for considering me for your manuscript and I wish you great success with your writing career.

Warm Regards,

June 9, 2021

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks again for sending this my way. It’s a fun story! Unfortunately, I didn’t fall in love quite as strongly as I’d want to in order to move forward. The ending is perhaps too predictable, and I’d love for a bit more whimsy in there. That said, it has a lot of potential, and I wish you the very best with it!

Warmly,

June 10, 2021

Dear Jennifer,
I'm sorry, but your project does not sound like a fit for me at this time, and so I will have to pass. Thank you for considering me and best of luck with your future queries.

Sincerely,

June 22, 2021

Hi Jennifer,

The kids team thought the idea was cute, and we could see some lift-a-flap potential here with all the ways the narwhal is confused with the different iterations of a unicorn. Perhaps something to think about and flesh out some more?

I’m in a position where I can’t make any offers on unagented work right now without a really strong reason; however, we are working on building a list of potential freelancers for some ideas we are developing in-house and I’d be happy to keep you on the list. And if you are able to secure representation, please have your agent reach out! I was very intrigued by this idea too: (saving this part until I finish writing this idea!)

Best,

June 23, 2021

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you so much for submitting ELI THE AWFUL PIRATE to the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency for our consideration.

It's a wonderful story idea, but unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with this draft as much as I would need to take on the project. For that reason, I am going to step aside for now, but I truly appreciate the opportunity to consider your work.

I wish you the very best of luck with this and all of your projects!

Best,

September 13, 2021

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to consider your work. I've had a chance to review your submission, and I'm sorry to share that I don't feel that it's the perfect fit for my list at this time.

I wish you all the best, and really hope you connect with the right agent soon.

Take care, and stay safe!

October 20, 2021

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for patiently waiting while we read and considered this story at Little Gnome. How clever for you to have combined languages, food and a familiar song! The buñuelo recipe was an added bonus, too. Unfortunately, with such a very small list, we have had to make some tough choices about what we can take on. I am sorry to say that we ultimately decided to pass. This is a highly subjective decision, so please continue submitting it until you find the perfect publishing home.

I hope that we will see more from you in future submissions windows. We appreciate the opportunity to review your work.

December 1, 2021

Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for sharing CAMILA, ABUELITA, Y SALSA with me and for your patience while I've reviewed it. I enjoyed reading this - I always love family tradition stories! Right now, however, I'm having to choose between several really strong projects and regretfully will need to pass. Thank you again, and I wish you all the best in your writing career!

Kind regards,

January 9, 2022

Dear Author,
Thank you so much for sending along your work. I'm regretfully going to pass as it's not quite right for my list. Keep in mind that the industry is subjective, and another agent could very well feel differently. I wish you the best of luck.

Regards,

January 24, 2022

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for the chance to consider CAMILA, ABUELITA, Y SALSA. I've gone through your materials, and I'm sorry to say I'll pass at this time. I wish I could give personal feedback on all the queries I receive, but please know this industry is super subjective, and so is my response. I hope you'll keep querying, and I'm always open to receiving new projects from you.

February 15, 2022

Dear JENNIFER,

Thank you for querying me with OLIVER’S CHRISTMAS FOODS: A COUNTING BOOK IN SPANISH.

I have to choose between some really amazing submissions, and I just felt like I was a better fit for some others in my inbox. However, I encourage you to submit to other agents, as one of them may be perfect for this project.

Best,

June 12, 2022

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for considering me to represent your work. I enjoyed ¡LA SALSA, MIJA! and would love to read more of your work, to get a better sense of your voice. If you are interested and still seeking agent representation, you can add up to 3 picture book manuscripts back-to-back in a word document and upload it here.

I'm looking forward to reading your material,

All best,

June 13, 2022

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to consider your work. I've had a chance to review your submission, and I’m sorry to share that I don't feel it is the perfect fit for my list at this time. I really appreciate you sending it my way though. I’m wishing you all the best, and I really hope you connect with the right agent soon.

June 15, 2022

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for trusting us with your work.

I received so many lovely submissions for Hit the Road and unfortunately, I am not able to include all of them in our issue. Although your submission was not selected for publication this time, I appreciated the opportunity to consider it. Please know that "Too Many Stars" was in my final round of consideration. I really enjoyed this story and hope to have the opportunity to read more of your work in the future.

Our 4th issue will open for submissions in July. More details about the issue's theme and submission schedule will be announced soon.

Thank you again for sharing your work.

August 4, 2022

Hi Jennifer,

It’s nice to meet you virtually.

Thank you for sending us your proposal of Remember Heaven. Unfortunately, after discussing it with our team, we decided not to move forward with this proposal. We hope this manuscript finds a home soon.

Thank you for considering us.

August 15, 2022

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you so much for querying me with ¡LA SALSA, MIJA! and for your patience.

Unfortunately, this is too similar to one of my client manuscripts, and I'm very particular about making sure there's no conflict of interest. So I'm going to pass.

I'm sorry not to have better news. While this wasn't a perfect match for me, I encourage you to submit to other agents, as one of them may feel differently. I wish you the best of luck.

Sincerely,

December 15, 2022

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for sending me additional material, and my apologies for the time it has taken me to get back to you. Unfortunately, I don't feel like it is the right fit for my list at this time, and I must pass on offering representation. i'm sorry I am not able to give you better news, this is incredibly subjective. I wish you the best on your path to publishing.

All best,