The rejection rate is always going to be the same regardless of the quality of the books involved. Even if every author was able to write at a professional level there is no way that publishers have the infrastructure or cash to sign up every good book that comes their way. It’s similar to the exam qualifications needed to get into a top university: even if all the candidates achieve the entry grades it doesn’t mean the college has more places to offer.
Poor quality of writing is only one of the factors in the decision to reject the majority of book submissions.
Poor quality of writing is only one of the factors in the decision to reject the majority of book submissions, and still the high rejection rate remains and will always remain whether or not quality of writing improves.
How to avoid rejection on the grounds of quality of writing
As a publisher, top quality writing is surprisingly hard to find in new submissions. Rejecting the bulk of them is easy. Selecting for further consideration the rare gems that really sparkle is easy. The tough part of the publishing process is selecting the books in between: submissions that are not badly written, but are not brilliant either.
Working hard at your craft to improve your writing can make a difference here. It’s not hard to avoid being instantly rejected for absent literary skills. OK, for some people it can be hard to write moderately well. It depends on your writing skills at the outset. Anyone can eventually write at a professional standard, but whether it takes one year or twenty years of effort depends on your starting point.
Easy no
Absent literary skills. Instantly rejected. Hard work at the craft gets you out of this pile.
The middle
Not badly written, not brilliant. This is where most of the real decisions — and the real chance — live.
The gems
Rare submissions that sparkle. Selecting these for further consideration is the easy yes.