Many writers become so attached to their projects that they can't look at them objectively. They are unshakably convinced they have a terrific idea, superbly organized and written, and they genuinely cannot understand why they haven't been able to find a buyer. These writers have developed mental blinders that prevent them from seeing their work from any perspective but their own. It takes some practice and a good bit of introspective courage to remove those blinders so you can reassess your work honestly and objectively.

Question Your Beliefs

It's a common gripe for writers: “I've got a killer query and a great manuscript, but I keep getting rejection letters.” The one making the complaint rarely recognizes the inherent illogic in the two halves of this statement, but for agents and editors, and even outside observers, it's obvious: A killer query and a great manuscript do not add up to rejection. If that's the equation for your project, something is wrong.

Rejection letters are tangible facts, so start there. Who are the letters from? Are they from agents and editors who specialize in your genre? If not, that could be the explanation of your out-of-balance equation. If you have targeted the appropriate agents and editors, however, you need to look further for the answer to your problem.

Is your query really of “killer” quality? If it isn't getting results, it might not be as good as you think it is. Read it again with a critical eye; imagine yourself as an agent or editor reading it for the first time. Scrutinize everything in your query, from your angle to your lead to your tone to your mechanics. It might need tweaking, or even a full rewrite.

It's easy to get discouraged if you discover that your query or manuscript isn't as wonderful as you thought it was. Instead of looking at it as a mistake or a failure, though, look at it as an opportunity to improve your writing. Remember, the quality of your work is the one element you have complete control over in publishing.

The same principle applies to your proposal and your manuscript. Does it live up to what you promised in your query letter? Is your angle sufficiently different from existing books to set yours apart? For nonfiction books, look for key information you might have omitted or better ways to organize the material. Your subject might be too narrow or too broad, too common or too obscure. For fiction, think critically about your plot and character development, as well as organization and mechanics.

Find a Good Critic

Yes-men and sycophants do you no good if your aim is to improve your writing and correct the things that keep you from getting published. You need constructive feedback from a critic who can be trusted to tell you the truth about what your writing has and what it lacks. Family members and friends may be more motivated to appear supportive than to give you an honest appraisal of your writing, so it's a good idea to look for an unbiased third party.

You might be able to find what you need in a writers' group, as long as the group is focused on moving its members closer to salable projects and not mired in self-defeating negativity. A group that spends all its time carping about the short-sightedness of agents and editors is no more useful to your writing career than the relative who thinks everything you write is fantastic. Look for a writers' group that is positive and energized, but not shy about giving honest feedback.

You also might be able to find a good critic at your local community college. These institutions often offer classes on a variety of topics that are open to the general public, typically under the umbrella of “community education” or something similar. Enroll in a creative writing class and ask the instructor if she would be willing to read your proposal or manuscript and give you a critique.

When you ask for an honest critique, be prepared to hear some things you probably won't like. As with any criticism, you decide what is and what is not valid, but you must be willing to listen to another's opinion before you can make that decision, and you must treat the person offering you advice with respect — especially if you expect him to come to your aid again.