This may sound like a silly question, but I've gotten lots of rejects. I recognize most standard rejects right away but sometimes I have trouble knowing if some of the "softer" rejects are personalized. This may not sound like very important, but if the mail says "they look forward to seeing more of my work" do they mean it? Should I really bombard that publication with stuff after they've rejected 5 different stories or should I stop bothering them? If a reject contains an adjective about my writing does that mean it's personalized? Or are they just trying not to hurt my feelings?
Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
I call it personalized if someone used an ink pen on it. Provided the written message is not "you suck and I wish you were dead," I consider this to be better than just a form.
Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :
Most editors are overwhelmed with stories. If they ask to see more of your work, then they most certainly mean it. Otherwise, it varies.
Some editors have forms with varying adjectives depending on a personal scale of values (I'm thinking of Lone Star Stories, but there are surely others). Some editors also send systematic feedback (Clarkesworld). But mostly, if they comment specifically on your story, it means you're getting somewhere.
There are markets to which I've sent about 10 stories and still not made a sale. I still go on submitting. That they reject you just means your story wasn't right for them at this time. It can happen several times in a row (and is more probable than acceptance ), and it's not a mark of "your writing sucks", or "you're totally unsuitable for us". Or they wouldn't take the time with your stories.
BTW, did you have a specific example in mind, or was it just a general question?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Editors only say that they hope to see more of your work when they mean it. They only say it to writers whose work is close, and whose name they have seen enough times to make them hope, each time they see it in the return address space of the envelope, that maybe THIS will be the one they can buy.
When they say that they hope to see more of your work, they have started "pulling for" you. They actually do hope that something you send them will be something they can use.
So PLEASE, don't quit sending them stuff, just try to make sure it is the best you can possibly make it.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Something like this:
quote:I like your writing "voice" and the story was readable, however
or this
quote:This was cute, and an "almost."
But not necessarily this:
quote:Thank you again, and we hope to hear from you in the future.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, nobody wants to tell the next Stephen King "You have no obvious writing talent," even if no talent is evident in the submitted story. Take the compliment, if one is offered, but take anything said with a grain of salt. And don't get discoruaged.
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
Thanks everybody. The "form letter with adjectives" post got me thinking. It would make sense for a magazine to have slightly nicer rejection slips for those stories that were close but which they don't have the time to crit in detail. I'd do it if I were an editor, besides, personal crits probably get them pen-friends, something no editor wants. Another question: if you get a very nice personalized reject do you write them an email saying "Thanks!" or do you just keep mum so as not to bog down their inboxes?
Posted by tlmorganfield (Member # 3461) on :
I generally wait until I sent that same editor my next story then I mention my appreciation for their comments in the coverletter, either right up front (especially if they specifically asked to see more of your work) or as a PS. After all, you want them to feel warm and fuzzy about you when they actually have a story of yours in hand.
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
tlmorganfield: never thought of that, I guess that's a good way to say "thank you" to someone who went to the trouble of telling you why they didn't want your story.
Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :
I'd thought of that, but for some reason I feel embarrassed about doing it until I feel I know the editor (translate by "be rejected a couple more times"). Which is probably very silly, and I should change that habit on the spot.
Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :
Yeah, you should definitely thank an editor for his/her personal comments on your story. It's only professional. And it's basic courtesy on a non-professional level. An editor takes time out of a very busy schedule to give you tips on your writing, you at least owe them a thanks. I would definitely wait until you resubmit to tell them, though. Sending a seperate letter just clutters up an already full mailbox.
[This message has been edited by wetwilly (edited September 14, 2006).]
Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :
I'm bumping this up because I have a question on sending a "thank you" response to an editor.
There's a story that just came back from its last submission with a very nice, personalized rejection and I want to thank the editor for the kind words and the time he spent writing them.
According to the advice in this thread, I should thank the editor the next time I submit. However, that submission was it. I have no intention of submitting anything else for a couple of years at least.
So, considering how nice this rejection was (I'm going to print it out and stick it among my writerly things), and considering that's it for quite some time, should I go ahead and send a thank you email to an already stuffed inbox? Or should I expect the editor to remember me in a few years when I'm able to submit stories again?
I also apologize in advance for popping in here only to ask this question.
Posted by Alethea Kontis (Member # 3748) on :
Keeley, if you would really like to thank the editor, do. Everyone likes to be appreciated. Be kind, and brief.
Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :
Awesome. Thanks, Alethea.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
What Alethea said, Keeley. Your thanks will mean a lot more coming so soon after the rejection than it will two or three years down the road.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Be sure to mention that, while you don't have anything ready to submit at this time, you'll definitely submit your next suitable story to that market because of the helpful response. There's no harm in keeping it at a professional level, after all.
), and it's not a mark of "your writing sucks", or "you're totally unsuitable for us". Or they wouldn't take the time with your stories.
Thanks, Alethea.