Even though fewer indie authors are seeking input from literary agents, we all still want to know if our manuscripts are ready for public consumption. Is our work really any good?

Five years ago, literary agents were screening machines–bouncers for the publishing industry if you will. They drew back the red rope and sanctioned your passage into the exclusive club of authorship. If your manuscript wasn’t “sexy” enough, you got the boot in the form of a rejection letter or even worse–no response at all. Not much has changed as far as agents go. They’re still the gatekeepers for the traditional publishing market.

We recently met with an agent. She was a cool, hip young woman who specifically looks for quirky manuscripts targeted to niche audiences. Her war stories, experiences, and her take on where publishing is going were fascinating. But, what we found even more interesting was the “down low” on why she rejects manuscripts. Of course her rejection letters include the usual “Your work is unfortunately outside the scope of genres I work with…” but the truth of the matter is that many other reasons exist for why manuscripts don’t make the cut. Here’s what an agent might be thinking when taking a look at your manuscript, that they will rarely admit to you:

1. Not another book about…

Number one complaint from agents is that submissions are often too trends-based. Some authors deliberately set out to be the author of the next greatest (fill in the blank) book. Don’t fall into this trap. If your work is a knock-off of someone else’s idea, start over.

2. Is that a typo?

Query letters and manuscripts with typos is a major turnoff for agents. It automatically says the author isn’t serious, ready, or polished. Quick Tip: Proofread of course, but enlist the services of a copy editor before submitting your manuscript to anyone whether you’re self-publishing or not.

3. This is good, but what else have you done?

A manuscript that is well-written and timely is a ruby among garnets. But (and this is a big but) an author with name recognition, impressive bio, and experience to back their book is priceless. This even goes for fiction writers. Only you know whether your bio needs beefing up. We suggest sharing your work as often possible, submitting your writing to journals and magazines, and establishing as often as possible that you are a contender.

4. This has potential, but it’ll be a hard sell

Manuscripts with potential might be original, timely, and well-written, but might not be a solid fit for the mass market. Another scenario might be a recent release of too similar a book. In this case, indie authorship is an option worth considering. Indie authors are well-positioned to target niche audiences through grassroots marketing, social media, e-book publishing, and good old-fashioned word of mouth.

5. The writing needs work

The truth is a lot of agents won’t tell you, but often feel manuscripts need writing help. Most of us have experienced the embarrassment of reviewing past work we once thought was the bees knees, only to realize with work in hand how dreadfully wrong we were. Don’t be this person. Join a writer’s group. Have your work reviewed at least three times by unbiased people who write well and will tell you the truth.

Do what you will with this information: evaluate if your own work could suffer from any of the above. We personally find that agents, the bouncers that they are, want to stay in business. They want good manuscripts to shop to publishers. Connecting with agents, picking their brains, and occasionally asking their advice is a smart way to keep us honest. Or is it? What do you think?