The Best Rejection Letter In The World

Okay. I got another package in the mail yesterday and immediately I was like 'Great...this is all I need.' I looked at the postage stamping and saw that it was from New York. Even better. The agent in Minneapolis is avoiding me like some kind of infectuous rash and the only other person that agreed to read my book has sent it back to me with (most likely) bad news.

On the contrary:

Dear Kingsley,

First of all, thank you for your patience as you waited for a response. I know it's not easy to sit on your hands and do nothing! I wish this letter were offering you unequivocal good news. The reality is that we take on incredibly few children's books at William Morris.

Nevertheless, I am grateful to have had the chance to read (THE TITLE OF MY BOOK). The premise of (MAIN STORY ELEMENT) is a good one, and I love the relationship between Travis and Henry. I did think the story went on a bit too long, and would have liked to see you delve even deeper into the characters and fantasy element, but these are quibbles. Please understand that publishing is a subjective business, and it is likely another agent will feel differently. To that end, I have enclosed a list of the top children's book agents. Feel free to say I recommended you.

I wish you the very best of luck, and will be looking for your name on bookstore shelves!

Warmly,

Agent Lady

Right. So it's not an acceptance letter, but she's basically opened the door for me to query like 25 others literary agents and I get to drop her name besides. It's hard to tell what to do. Do I try and rework the book a little before sending it out? Or...do I send it as is and hope that one of the agents sees the potential and agrees to take me under their wing and worry about the rewrites later?

I think I'm going with 2nd option for now. I'd hate to dramatically change it and screw it up. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being egotistical and I'm well aware that it needs work, but...I'm a little gun shy. You know?

Anyhow...more news later as I hit another slew of agents!