I got a rejection yesterday. If you're a writer it's a regular occurance, I don't care who you are. But this one made me belly laugh. It was from something I submitted TWO YEARS AGO...to a well-known literary journal. By the tone of my submission letter, you can tell that I'd surrendered getting published. There …
I got a rejection yesterday. If you’re a writer it’s a regular occurance, I don’t care who you are. But this one made me belly laugh. It was from something I submitted TWO YEARS AGO…to a well-known literary journal. By the tone of my submission letter, you can tell that I’d surrendered getting published. There is not a formal bone in its body. I’m proud of it sort of the way I’m proud when my kids talk back to an adult who has said something asinine to them. I guess I thought the whole publishing process, after half my life shaking hands with it formally, fairly asinine.
(You should know that this letter was composed in olive green, bold, font 18, Garmond. I know of an editor who says Garamond makes her horny so I thought I’d go with that. Anything helps…)
On 12/8/08 9:45 AM, “Laura Munson” wrote:
December 8, 2008
Hi, folks.
Here’s a short story for you to consider. While I have a great agent, my fabulous career has yet to fully launch. Having a piece in your publication would be delightful. My work gets published regularly in The Sun and in other literary journals that you’re probably not interested in. I do not have an MFA. On purpose. I’ve just been spending the last twenty years writing my ass off. 14 novels. Yup. Four good ones. Two currently out to editors. Fingers crossed. See if this story is a match for you guys.
Thanks!
Laura Munson
(And here’s the rejection letter. It’s a nice form letter, versus a not nice form letter. I’ve had both. Her font was NOT in Garamond, nor was it green and pudgy.)
Hi Laura,
Thanks for sending this in, and sorry it’s taken us so long to respond—we got sidetracked by a few special projects, and have gotten way too behind on our reading. But we rely on stories like yours, since a good portion of what we publish comes to us unsolicited. Unfortunately, we can’t find a place for this piece in our next few issues–but please feel free to submit more work in the future. Our tastes change, and we’re always looking.
Thanks again for your efforts and for letting us see your work.
