: Resource for rejected novel manuscripts Is there such a thing as an online repository for rejected novel manuscripts? I think it would be a useful and educational resource -- especially to

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While there is no possibility of 'online repository for rejected novel manuscripts' made available by a publisher, you can find online resources for critical analysis of traditionally unpublished work.

A plethora of self published books can give you the idea of 'reasons it got rejected by a publisher' rather than 'mistakes every failing writer makes'. Nonetheless, it is a valuable resource to study as some of those may have been rejected by a publisher before.

Online writing sites like Wattpad can also prove to be a good resource if you want to study the work of novice writers. Wattpad hosts a plethora of stories posted by amateur to established​ writers, where you can actually come across examples of the so-called 'mistakes every failing writer makes' by chance. However, most of the writeups posted on Wattpad are still in progress, and can hardly be termed as manuscripts.

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In addition to the existing excellent answer by Surtsey, I am sure such a resource, if found, will have to be illegal (as the publisher would have leaked material copyrighted by the author). Otherwise the author must either have:

Relinquished first electronic rights.
Submitted to a publisher not bound by Copyright. It appears from the comments such a bewildering institution may exist.

Note:

I don't know much about law, but found out here that in Australia, for instance:

Copyright is not ‘waived’ when you publish text or images on the internet. You can decide how you would like people to use your online content. Guidelines for using online text and images usually appear on a website’s ‘terms of use’ page.

So, we have to distinguish between copyright and first electronic rights.

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It is extremely naive to believe the publishing industry is somehow like school and an 'A' will get you published. There is no formula, standard or level to achieve in order to secure publication.

There is no rhyme nor reason as to why one publisher accepts a manuscript and another does not.

What is needed is a bit of critical thinking.

Let's look at Harry Potter: (1) The manuscript would make it into your repository as was rejected at least nine times. (2) Clearly Rowling was clueless as the manuscript was considered far too long for a Y/A novel. (3) The novel is of poor quality because Rowling 'never met an adverb she didn't like'.

E.L. James got everything all wrong. "50 Shades of Grey" id not clearly fit into any genre. It was too spicy for romance and too tame for erotica.

Another best seller, Peter Benchley's "Jaws" was accepted based on a verbal pitch.

At school your teacher will mark up your effort, grade it, and suggest improvements. 'Real' agents and publishers will do no such thing. They will never tell you what's wrong with your novel. They'll use choice phrases like "We didn't feel passionate about it" or state "There isn't currently room on their list." It would be embarrassing for one publisher to return a manuscript highlighting all its problems and, subsequently, another publisher hit the NYT best-sellers list after publishing the work in its near original form.

There are no 'mistakes every failing writer makes'. The 'How to' industry is worth millions of dollars. But you've been sold a bill of goods. There is no evidence that following a set of instructions will improve your chances of being published.

Off the record, most agents admit they have no idea what they are looking for - but they'll know it when they see it.

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