It is not the acme of editorial discourtesy to return a manuscript or reject a submission without a word—either printed, typed, or emailed. It seems to say: "Your story, poem, or novel pretty much sucks. Why did you waste my time? I have nothing to say
about it. You can think what you please." Imagine yourself in an editor's sanctum at such a time. Your manuscript or query letter is stuffed back into an envelope (or simply deleted if emailed), and the apathetic editor—for he must be apathetic—tosses it over to some employee with, "Here Jim or Jen, take this stuff with the rest and send it off." Jim looks at it and sees the name of the author, fairly well-known, and though he has no editorial power, he wishes he could write some little message himself. He has sometimes really finer perceptions than his editor.
Such a return (or no reply at all) seems almost like an insult to the author, and yet I have known of several such instances. There are editors who will take a moment to give practical advice on a rejected submission, and very few editors of which I've just spoken. I have some specimens of rejections from the real thing. I will share three of them.
Reply #1:
"Hi Betty:
"I am very sorry to return your story, but it does not exactly suit our publication. Let us have the pleasure of reading something else from you which we may accept."
"Hi Betty:
"I am very sorry to return your story, but it does not exactly suit our publication. Let us have the pleasure of reading something else from you which we may accept."
From reading such a reply, the author rises, almost as jubilant as if the editor has accepted his story with the promise of payment.
Here is another.
Reply #2:
"Author of_______________
"We return your story, not because it is no good, but we have so much on hand that we have to decline any new stories that fit our magazine. Thank you for your kindness in submitting it, I remain, etc. etc."
"Author of_______________
"We return your story, not because it is no good, but we have so much on hand that we have to decline any new stories that fit our magazine. Thank you for your kindness in submitting it, I remain, etc. etc."
That is a reply to win the heart of an aspiring writer, or the most successful author. Kindliness and gentleness speak in every tone.
Even the reply, "With thanks," is slightly better than an editor not noticing you at all. I will add just one more reply.
Reply #3:
"So sorry to return this. I loved the article. Wish I had twenty more pages to fill ... and you would never see it again, except in print."
"So sorry to return this. I loved the article. Wish I had twenty more pages to fill ... and you would never see it again, except in print."
Is there not a ring in that reply to gladden the soul of the most weary writer who ever sat on the anxious seat for days or weeks waiting for a verdict?
I have no doubt that the majority of editors are more careful in their replies (especially if they want to prevent angry writers from re-posting their comments on Facebook or Twitter). It certainly takes no more time to send a courteous answer than to figure out two plus two equals four. But the manuscript or query letter that the editor returns or dismisses without a word—I don't care how valueless it may be—that is an unpardonable sin. © Freelance Writing - View all Feature Articles - View all articles
