So I've heard that after getting a rejection that encourages you to send more of your work, you should casually mention this fact in the next cover letter to that market. But how? Where should this information go? Before or after the pictures of your adorable kitty cat and the information on how much your mother loved the story and how your neighbor already illustrated it and will sell the picture for a thousand bucks?*
*ok, I'm kidding on the kitty cat pictures and such. But I really am clueless on how this information should get put in the cover letter. Is it even appropriate?
Posted by cgamble (Member # 2009) on :
not that i have a clue, but i wouldnt imagine it would go at all. i hardly see why it is relevant to any other publisher. but thats just my 2 cents.
Posted by Gen (Member # 1868) on :
No, no, not mentioning that to any other markets, but mentioning it in the next cover letter to the place that sent you the original rejection letter.
Although as I said, I'm not really sure that it belongs in there at all.
Posted by cgamble (Member # 2009) on :
OH! Thats been addressed here before.. long topic. i think the conclusion was: a> they usually dont take resubs, b> clearly mention its a resub, because otherwise they minght know, and might blacklist or something even more horrible..
but im pretty sure thats in a long thread somewhere here.
Posted by Eric Sherman (Member # 2007) on :
I think the person meant when you get a rejection letter about one story that encourages you to send a different story, where and whould you mention that fact in the cover letter. Otherwise, the person might have forgotten that they wanted to see some more work from you.
They might just remember the fact that they rejected you and not the fact that they wanted to see more work from you.
That about right, Gen?
Posted by cgamble (Member # 2009) on :
ack, your right. i see it now! i feel like such a fool. well, new personal rule. no trying to be helpful on less than 2 hours sleep. it just never turns out right.. sorry,
Posted by Thieftess (Member # 1683) on :
Well, if it was Dr. Smith who requested that you send more work, I'd just be brief:
"Dear Dr. Smith,
Thank you for your interest in my work. As you requested, I am sending a different fantasy piece entitled, "My Neighbor's Cat."
I look forward to hearing from you."
That sort of thing.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
I received a rejection from a magazine, but the rejection letter said, "I suggest you try us again." So here's how I began my next cover letter to that magazine.
quote:Dear Mr. _______,
In August 2003 you rejected the first story that I submitted to your magazine, but suggested that I try you again. I am following that suggestion by enclosing my story "____________."
That story was rejected, but in that rejection letter the editor said that he looked forward to my next submission.
My next cover letter began:
quote:Dear Mr. _______,
In your letter of April 21, you said that you looked forward to my next submission. Enclosed is my 8968-word story "____________."
I'm still waiting on that last manuscript.
I think you want to remind them first thing that they liked your previous submission enough that they wanted you to submit again. That means they think you have the potential to write something they might publish, so they won't be wasting their time by looking at your manuscript.
