Yeah, My Rejection letter is here

[JediSoth]

I got my rejection yesterday. It's the same letter I saw many of you received. None of the constructive criticism applied to my proposal, unfortunately. I understand they don't have time to personally reply to every proposal, though. I'd buy dinner for one of the editors at GenCon if they'd sit down with me and give me a critique.

JediSoth

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Let's just say that you better grab their attention in the first page or two and, ideally, in the first paragraph.

I have to say, this is probably good advice all on its own. Even people who have never read "War & Peace" know "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." A writer who can make you interested in the very first sentence typically can have you for the rest of the novel. And if the rest of the manuscript isn't like that yet, it's likely the author can get it there, since they understand one of the fundementals of storytelling: putting butts in seats.

 

[Victim]

I have to say, this is probably good advice all on its own. Even people who have never read "War & Peace" know "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." A writer who can make you interested in the very first sentence typically can have you for the rest of the novel. And if the rest of the manuscript isn't like that yet, it's likely the author can get it there, since they understand one of the fundementals of storytelling: putting butts in seats.

Isn't that a Tale of Two Cities, not War and Peace.

 

[tarchon]

Isn't that a Tale of Two Cities, not War and Peace.

That's why people who haven't read it know it.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

Talk about insulting…

I didn’t even submit and I still got a rejection letter. This whole preemptive strike thing has got to stop.

Kidding aside, I have numerous rejection letters from magazines I submitter material too over the years. Some were polite, some were not. But I always preferred even a brief note than total silence.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

What's the highest number we're up to, as far as the little number in the corner? I'm all nervous to go home and see what's in the mailbox, dang it. I was just curious as to whether all rejections had been mailed or if this was just a first wave kind of thing. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

"Lady, you're my kind of stupid." --Mal

My envelope said 216

 

[Rika]

Knowing authors can be odd, I saw one acquaintance's book show up briefly on the best seller list and went, 'Hey, that's the guy who used to cadge empty bottles off of me at the game store!' Strange, strange feeling. (Matt Ruff - Gas, Sewer & Electric if anybody wants to know, very strange book, but fun.)
The Auld Grump

And Fool on the Hill for that matter. One of my all time favorite books. Probably because I used to live in Ithaca. Actually Matt Ruff used to be a student of one of my H.S. friend's father.