Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Why are agents rejecting my novel? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 32

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

Are you sending out queries but only getting form rejections—or worse, no responses at all? Maybe you're receiving personalized rejections that praise your concept but still pass on your book? If you’re struggling to understand why agents aren’t biting, this episode is for you.

In today’s Ask Me Anything Thursday, I’ll break down the biggest reasons novels get rejected—and what you can do to fix them. Whether it’s your query letter, voice, stakes, or character depth, I’ll walk you through practical solutions to help your manuscript stand out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The two main types of rejection and what they reveal about your query and pages
• Why agents pass on a strong premise and how to make your writing irresistible
• The most common query letter mistakes—and how to fix them
• How to clarify your stakes so agents (and readers) can’t look away
• Why interiority and emotional depth are non-negotiable in today’s market
• And so much more!

Whether you're drafting or deep in the querying trenches, this episode will give you practical strategies to strengthen your manuscript and improve your chances of landing an agent.

Program Clarity Chat 😎🎉📚🚀 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Join Momentum Writing Sprints! ✍️🏃🏽‍♀️😎Come write with us for FREE every Saturday from 11 am to 12 pm ET!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

🎟️ Grab your FREE ticket to WorldShift: The Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit, August 20–23!

Support the show