Best rejection, ever!

[SJAB]

Not sure if this is the right forum, if not, can the mods please move it.

Today I had one of those rejections that make all the effort and pain of trying to get published worth it. It was a hand written note from the submissions editor of a UK publisher.(Along with the returned 100 pages of the manuscript!)

"I enjoyed the humour of your submission and liked your "voice", but unfortunately.........."

I understand the 'unfortunately', that's the way of the world, but the bit about my voice, and having someone actually 'get' the tongue in cheek manner of this novel has me bouncing round the room...

Doesn't take much to please this old fool does it? lol.

[John Jarrold]

I know it can make a helluva difference when it's obvious the editor has actually read what you've sent and engaged with it. Believe me, 'being engaged' won't be true of well over 90% of the submissions that editor (or any editor) sees every week!

[SJAB]

It does make a difference, John. To actually know it was read and someone enjoyed it

This novel seems to be hitting the mark a bit more. I have previously had a sample requested from a query letter, though it was later rejected. I have a couple more queries out for this one, so we shall see if they bring any more requests for samples or more of the manuscript. The silly thing is it is not and never was a "serious" effort. I wrote it mainly for fun and for a few fantasy mad friends to have a laugh at, as I was poking fun at as many elements of the genre I could cram into the narative. I started sending it out in the same manner, not really expecting anything at all to come from it.

Sorry, rambling....

[Azure]

Congrats SJAB it's a notch closer. Make sure you listen to the crits and keep at it!

[Ian Whates]

I know what you mean, SJAB. Strangely, a 'good' rejection can really lift the spirits (okay, not as much as an acceptance, but....). I had one about a month ago from a magazine editor who had held onto a story for longer than anticipated because it was a 'strong contender'. In the eventual, very apologetic, rejection, he said:

"It's a great idea, and reminded me somewhat of Alastair Reynolds (a compliment!)."

Whilst a couple of months ago, I had back the following with regard to a (very rare for me) vampire story:

"You're a great storyteller and it was a unique take on vampires. Further, I found the scenes with the vampires to be so wonderfully tense as to be almost unbearable..." followed by a regretful rejection.

Then there was the rejection from Sheila Williams at Asimov's who told me how much she'd 'enjoyed reading' one of my stories, finding it 'cute', before adding the dreaded 'but'...

Sigh... it almost makes this writing lark wothwhile!

[JDP]

Congratulations, SJAB, that's a really positive response, eh?!? You definitely seem to be on the right track - stick with it!

[Coolhand]

Well done SJAB.
From what I understand (and have experienced) it’s very rare to get a personalized rejection letter. Like John said, you must have got their attention, even though in the end they passed on the work.

Best rejection I ever got was a handwritten addendum to a form rejection letter that simply read “Very promising writing.”

I still have that letter. (I keep them all, but that one gets re-read from time to time, just to boost confidence.)

[Simon Haynes]

Congratulations on the response you got - that's infinitely better than a rubber-stamped form letter. In Stephen King's 'On Writing' he mentions a progression from form letters to personalised letters and then, hopefully, on to publication, and each step is another important achievement. (I recommend this book to everyone, by the way. It's very good.)

Originally Posted by SJAB

I wrote it mainly for fun and for a few fantasy mad friends to have a laugh at, as I was poking fun at as many elements of the genre I could cram into the narative.

Wanting to entertain others with your words is one of the best reasons to write, in my opinion. Especially if it involves making them laugh. The world's too damned gloomy by half these days.

[SJAB]

Thanks for the congrats everyone.

Yes, Ian, it is nice to have the good rejection, but it makes you kind of wistful, wishing they didn't have the "BUT" in....

I agree, Simon, when you write something that makes people laugh it makes all the heartache of trying to write worth it.

Anyway, I hope the few outstanding queries for this novel notch up a couple more such comments, it would boost my greatly deflated ego back to the size of a lemon.

[lin robinson]

The writer's equivalent of "I hope we can still be friends".

The greatest rejection letter I ever got was the form blow-off from Hustler, of all people. (Actually a solid, professional market that treats writers well, pays promptly, and doesn't put on any airs.)

It was an "engraved" card that said, in effect:

Please accept this handsome Hustler rejection letter with the compliments of Larry Flynt. If you want more of these prized pieces for your collection, feel free to submit more stories.
In the event that we purchase any of said stories we regret that we cannot send you another reject slip, you'll just have to make do with a check.

Sort of takes the sting out of it to have a little humor in the process.

The WORST two slips in my collection, by the way were not rejections:

"Everybody loved your piece, it is exactly the sort of writing we founded this magazine to feature. Unfortunately, our current issue will be our last due to...."

Anybody else get TWO "acceptances" that weren't sales?

[andrew.v.spencer]

Dear Mr Spencer,

You suck. Your story was so bad it made my eyes bleed.

Never ever write to me again. Please find restraining order attached.


But am I discouraged.....

[John Jarrold]

Okay, you're frightening me now...!

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by andrew.v.spencer

Dear Mr Spencer,

You suck. Your story was so bad it made my eyes bleed.

Never ever write to me again. Please find restraining order attached.


But am I discouraged.....

Chuckle....

Anyone read the Dilbert comic strip? There was a strip where Dogbert the megalomaniac dog set up a publishing company. In the process, he sends out what has to be one of the best rejection letters I’ve ever read, even if it is fictional. I’ll try and quote it from memory:

Dear Imbecile.

Thank you for sending me your book. Unfortunately, I hated your plot and characters and by extension have come to hate you too. For safety’s sake I have hired an illiterate, blind man to rip up and burn your manuscript. I would have returned it via the SAE you included but I was afraid to touch it in case you’d licked the stamps.

Now THAT's a rejection letter!

[lin robinson]

THAT'S where those guys a Doubleday got the idea for the one they sent me!
I guess I'll go turn off the gas and take the rags from under the door.