Okay, so it's a rejection letter and only for the "Acta Victoriana", the yearly journal of Victoriana College in the University of Toronto, but it's still my very first. And instead of being downhearted, I'm curiously elated.
quote: Dear <Teshi>,
I regret to inform you that the editorial board of Acta Victoriana 2004-5 has not decided to publish the story that you submitted. It was a favourite of several people on the board, though.
Thank you very much for submitting, and I encourage you to do so again next year (actavic@yahoo.ca will still be in use).
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you again, and all the best,
<Editor's Name> Editor, Acta 2004-5
Anyway, I just wanted to share .
And if anyone has rejection letters to share, they can post them, too!
ps. Do you think the "it was a favourite" bit is a form *pat pat* line or legitimate praise/anti-praise?
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I don't know. If it is, it's blatant lying, as opposed to the polite and true-for-every-story "While the story had several strengths, it does not meet our needs at this time." I'd hope people wouldn't do that.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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That sounds incredibly positive. From the rejection letters I've been reading over at Rejection Collection I think you can safely count yours as extremely positive and more than likely honest.
Think about it. Your submission was a favorite. They're encouraging you to submit again next year. The editor gave you her phone number and indicated you could call if you had any questions. It was polite, friendly, and downright nice. This is an excellent rejection letter.
Okay, so the rejection sucks, but this is a dang nice way to get rejected. Congrats!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I have never once been told, when rejected, that my story was a favorite of anyone on the selection committee. I would take that as an excellent sign.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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I got my first rejection letter when I was 13. I had won a city-wide writing contest in the fifth grade, and decided to expand my little tale into a novel, and I confidently submitted it. It came back with a rejection slip.
I must admit, I am eternally grateful to those smart people for not publishing that piece of crap, and I never attempted something so foolish ever again.
Posts: 1996 | Registered: Feb 2004
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I'd type up the one I got in the mail today, but maybe when all of my (grad school) rejections have come in I'll do a grand display.
Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
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I would take that as an excellent sign.
