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rejection

Getting published | Literary agents

Why literary agents reject novels
Posted onFebruary 3, 2026February 18, 2026

Read more Why literary agents reject novels

Hi, I'm Rachel! I'm a fiction editor and author. I've worked on 200+ books for publishers and independent writers. My novels have sold in 13 countries and have been translated into 8 languages.

As someone who has been in the industry a long time, I love nothing more than sharing advice on all things writing and publishing.

New posts are added regularly. Enjoy!

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Writing tips and lessons from Haru, my cat. I hone

Writing tips and lessons from Haru, my cat. I honestly think we can learn so much from a cat's way of life and their disposition. They are so resilient. 🐱 I'm learning to practice Number 1, slowing down! That doesn't mean stopping though... currently writing something very exciting! 👀

💜😻 First Dates at the Cat Cafè is out today with @

💜😻 First Dates at the Cat Cafè is out today with @hodderbooks @hodderfiction!! I'm so excited this book is finally in the hands of readers. This is probably my most romcom book yet and it's perfect for the summertime. I had so much fun writing it. I hope you'll love meeting cat café barista Grace and brooding musician Nathan!

This is my third traditionally published book, as well as the third in the cat café series (though you can read it perfectly fine as a standalone). I'm still pinching myself that I get to continue doing this!

Thank you, lovely readers, for all the support! 🥰

💜💜 Blurb 💜💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a pact: they will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?

#firstdatesatthecatcafe #catcafeseries #firstdatesatthecatcafè #rachelrowlands

My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café ar

My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café arrived! How gorgeous are they?! I just love all the colours and the cats having their own little dates outside the café! @kelley.mcmorris.art has done it again with her beautiful illustration!

I think you'll love this one if you enjoy fake dating, summer festivals, and brooding musicians. 🎶 Here's a reminder of the blurb! Out May 28 with @hodderbooks @hodderfiction 🥰🥰

🐱💜🐱💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a pact. They will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?

#firstdatesatthecatcafè #firstdatesatthecatcafe #catcafeseries #rachelrowlands

April 🌸🌻 A month of doing lots of decorating and o

April 🌸🌻 A month of doing lots of decorating and other jobs in our house... I also worked on several really good books for some lovely writers, and turned in copyedits for one of my own cat café books. 🐱

We did manage to get out into nature and the glorious sunshine when we could. And I listened to BTS on repeat. 🎶

Now I'm cooking up a new book idea... ✨️

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