Comments on: Get Real: Editors Speak about Rejection Letters http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/ Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:31:12 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Austin Girl http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-15416 Austin Girl Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:02:04 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-15416 Recently, I had a revered NY agent email me his professional, encouraging and (witty) response about my erotic rom/com. Is this standard – emailing? I tested the waters a couple of weeks ago and mailed off my first query (ever in my life) along with the first 5 pages, to a famous NY lit agency. Recently, I had a revered NY agent email me his professional, encouraging and (witty) response about my erotic rom/com. Is this standard – emailing? I tested the waters a couple of weeks ago and mailed off my first query (ever in my life) along with the first 5 pages, to a famous NY lit agency.

]]> By: Austin Girl http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-15415 Austin Girl Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:54:56 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-15415 What if the agent emailed you their personal 'rejection?' Is emailing standard? I tested the waters a couple of weeks ago and mailed off my first query (ever in my life) along with the first 5 pages, to a revered NY agency. The agent emailed me his professional, encouraging response last week about my erotic rom/com. What if the agent emailed you their personal ‘rejection?’ Is emailing standard?
I tested the waters a couple of weeks ago and mailed off my first query (ever in my life) along with the first 5 pages, to a revered NY agency. The agent emailed me his professional, encouraging response last week about my erotic rom/com.

]]> By: Ginny Swart http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-12993 Ginny Swart Thu, 08 May 2008 19:46:28 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-12993 I've just stumbled on this correspondence... very helpful to get some insight into the way editors work. The editors of literary journals sound as though they do a better job than most editors of popular magazines that use fiction - we're talking 3-4 months turnaround, usually without even a "got it" from them in between. One of the form rejections comes complete with five little boxes which some editorial minion ticks: Not for us, Too predictable,Unrealistic etc. Sometimes she ticks two boxes. Depressing to get one of these! Just one line to indicate SOMEONE read your story would be good, nobody expects a critique. I’ve just stumbled on this correspondence… very helpful to get some insight into the way editors work. The editors of literary journals sound as though they do a better job than most editors of popular magazines that use fiction – we’re talking 3-4 months turnaround, usually without even a “got it” from them in between. One of the form rejections comes complete with five little boxes which some editorial minion ticks: Not for us, Too predictable,Unrealistic etc. Sometimes she ticks two boxes. Depressing to get one of these! Just one line to indicate SOMEONE read your story would be good, nobody expects a critique.

]]> By: Ellen Parker http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9904 Ellen Parker Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:51:48 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9904 Jason, TQRstories is online, all the time! Go to http://www.tqrstories.com/ Jason, TQRstories is online, all the time! Go to http://www.tqrstories.com/

]]> By: Ann M Amodeo http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9896 Ann M Amodeo Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:49:39 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9896 So true that most writers haven't got a clue how many stories editors are reading. I suspect that many writers who complain of lack of feedback are used to writing classes and expect the same treatment from unpaid, afflicted-with-eyestrain editors. I suppose they think if editors are going to devote their lives to literature, they should be Mama Teresa about it, rather than realizing that editors have jobs, kids, otherwise busy lives. I never expect anything more than a reply. Once in a while, you don't even get that. If I get a personal reply, even just a word scrawled on the form letter ("thanks" or "try again") I feel appreciative that someone took even that much time. For me, quick turnaround is preferable to obligatory commentary. So true that most writers haven’t got a clue how many stories editors are reading. I suspect that many writers who complain of lack of feedback are used to writing classes and expect the same treatment from unpaid, afflicted-with-eyestrain editors. I suppose they think if editors are going to devote their lives to literature, they should be Mama Teresa about it, rather than realizing that editors have jobs, kids, otherwise busy lives. I never expect anything more than a reply. Once in a while, you don’t even get that. If I get a personal reply, even just a word scrawled on the form letter (”thanks” or “try again”) I feel appreciative that someone took even that much time. For me, quick turnaround is preferable to obligatory commentary.

]]> By: Jason Makansi http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9886 Jason Makansi Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:07:27 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9886 I will check out TQRstories. Anyone know if it is on-line or print? I will check out TQRstories. Anyone know if it is on-line or print?

]]> By: Lisa http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9870 Lisa Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:33:43 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9870 As a literary editor and publisher, I use a combination of form letters and feedback. Generally, the longer I have agonised over whether to publish a piece or not, the better chance the author has of getting detailed feedback. Submissions that have come to me without care or consideration get a basic form letter. Most submissions get something in between... a form letter with some personal comments down the bottom. Fascinating read, thanks. As a literary editor and publisher, I use a combination of form letters and feedback. Generally, the longer I have agonised over whether to publish a piece or not, the better chance the author has of getting detailed feedback. Submissions that have come to me without care or consideration get a basic form letter. Most submissions get something in between… a form letter with some personal comments down the bottom.

Fascinating read, thanks.

]]> By: Steve Hansen http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9858 Steve Hansen Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:24:45 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9858 Jason, TQRstories was created on that business model. Our terms are different (our readers are <i>investors</i> instead of customers and those who sub their work are <i>venture capitalists</i> instead of suppliers), but our ideology is the same. Our slogan, afterall, is <i>Stories are our Business</i>. So, in fact, there is a journal that believes they owe their readers a "customer experience," as well as their writers, too. Jason,

TQRstories was created on that business model. Our terms are different (our readers are investors instead of customers and those who sub their work are venture capitalists instead of suppliers), but our ideology is the same. Our slogan, afterall, is Stories are our Business. So, in fact, there is a journal that believes they owe their readers a “customer experience,” as well as their writers, too.

]]> By: Mike Young http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9828 Mike Young Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:20:04 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9828 After this was first posted, the <i>Georgia Review's</i> editor, Stephen Corey, wrote the author who received the comment I mentioned in my response to rectify the situation, which was a very classy thing to do. I respect him and the magazine quite a bit for doing it. After this was first posted, the Georgia Review’s editor, Stephen Corey, wrote the author who received the comment I mentioned in my response to rectify the situation, which was a very classy thing to do. I respect him and the magazine quite a bit for doing it.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-9824 Kelly Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:43:18 +0000 http://www.kellyspitzer.com/2008/01/14/get-real-editors-speak-about-rejection-letters/#comment-9824 Fascinating, Jason! And I agree, to an extent, that journals need to cultivate a relationship with "customers." I think it's irresponsible, however, to encourage a writer whose work is not right for your publication. Also, I think that's why, for me at least, it IS so hard to write rejection letters. (For lack of a better term...) The people who submit to SLQ are readers and human beings, just like me. I know what it's like to receive a rejection letter... But I do not in any way want an editor to encourage a writer/editor relationship if they do not like my work. Why bother? It's a waste of time for them, and for me, and for every other writer whose work might be a better fit. No need to be rude about it, and yes, it should be clear that they read the story (again, I ask, how do you make this clear??), but I don't see the point in anything but a form rejection if the editor found nothing that they PERSONALLY liked in the story. If the editor does see something they like in a story, that's nice to know, and at SLQ we do make a point to reach out to writers whose stories have come close, and who we think might produce something we want to publish in the future. What else can we do? Cultivating a relationship with READERS is, I think, different. But really, what is an edtor's obligation there? To give readers stories that fit the journals aesthetic in a timely fashion. That's all I can think of... Fascinating, Jason! And I agree, to an extent, that journals need to cultivate a relationship with “customers.” I think it’s irresponsible, however, to encourage a writer whose work is not right for your publication. Also, I think
that’s why, for me at least, it IS so hard to write rejection letters. (For lack of a better term…) The people who submit to SLQ are readers and human beings, just like me. I know what it’s like to receive a rejection letter… But I do not in any way want an editor to encourage a writer/editor relationship if they do not like my work. Why bother? It’s a waste of time for them, and for me, and for every other writer whose work might be a better fit. No need to be rude about it, and yes, it should be clear that they read the story (again, I ask, how do you make this clear??), but I don’t see the point in anything but a form rejection if the editor found nothing that they PERSONALLY liked in the story. If the editor does see something they like in a story, that’s nice to know, and at SLQ we do make a point to reach out to writers whose stories have come close, and who we think might produce something we want to publish in the future. What else can we do?

Cultivating a relationship with READERS is, I think, different. But really, what is an edtor’s obligation there? To give readers stories that fit the journals aesthetic in a timely fashion. That’s all I can think of…

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