Here’s a bit of sage wisdom from the keyboard of uber-agent Miss Snark, some that I’ve taken to heart and actually lifted my unpublished spirits just a bit.
Parsleying out advice

My novel is now making the publisher rounds, with rejections that make me weep because they are so glowing, until I get to that dreaded word, “but”..and the reasons are lame ones (lame to me, anyway) — overcrowded market, we’ve got a similar book on our list, yadda yadda, and nothing negative toward my writing.

Do you have a crystal ball?

Yes

What are your thoughts on when publishers are rejecting because of these reasons?

No is no regardless of the reason. At this level very few books are rejected cause the writing sux. We reject that at the slush pile level. You’re playing in the “of course the writing is good” league now.

How many publishers are out there?

Lots.

Generally how many publishers should an agent submit to before calling it quits on a novel?

1200

Am I close? Is there hope?

No, yes.

Thanks for your never-ending sound and sage advice. It’s about thyme I get published!

Get to work on your next novel. You need something to think about while your Herb Garden grows.