#rejectionletters — Public Fediverse posts

I'm not a fan of form rejection letters which include suppositions of what's wrong with your story.

My most recent rejection included "Sometimes a narrative can be excellent work but simply not be right for the journal. One common reason for this is that the text, though under 1000 words, isn't a flash narrative. This might mean your story would work better as a longer story, part of a longer story, or even poetry."

Another time, I received a form rejection that said my work might be offensive or poorly edited.

Lit mags, don't put stuff like this in your form rejections. If it's personalized and you want a writer to revise and resubmit, ok. But including this in all rejections comes across as condescending or alienating.

Sometimes the story is perfectly fine and just doesn't fit in your issue, and that's ok. I've had stories rejected with these sorts of copy/paste commentary that went on to win contests.

Writers, don't take this stuff personally. Maybe your story does need a bit more revision. Or maybe the form rejection was written by a crankyass. #WritingCommunity #LitMags #publishing #RejectionLetters

I'm not a fan of form rejection letters which include suppositions of what's wrong with your story.

My most recent rejection included "Sometimes a narrative can be excellent work but simply not be right for the journal. One common reason for this is that the text, though under 1000 words, isn't a flash narrative. This might mean your story would work better as a longer story, part of a longer story, or even poetry."

Another time, I received a form rejection that said my work might be offensive or poorly edited.

Lit mags, don't put stuff like this in your form rejections. If it's personalized and you want a writer to revise and resubmit, ok. But including this in all rejections comes across as condescending or alienating.

Sometimes the story is perfectly fine and just doesn't fit in your issue, and that's ok. I've had stories rejected with these sorts of copy/paste commentary that went on to win contests.

Writers, don't take this stuff personally. Maybe your story does need a bit more revision. Or maybe the form rejection was written by a crankyass. #WritingCommunity #LitMags #publishing #RejectionLetters

Career progression - switching to dealing with your students/post-docs/junior collaborators #RejectionLetters, rather then only with the your own.

Career progression - switching to dealing with your students/post-docs/junior collaborators #RejectionLetters, rather then only with the your own.

Last few years, when I wasn't writing scientific papers - I've been #writing #fiction.
Editing on the first book is almost done. I hope to put it on Amazon and other platforms soon (because I get enough #RejectionLetters professionally; I don't need them on my passion projects as well).
More on that soon.

Last few years, when I wasn't writing scientific papers - I've been #writing #fiction.
Editing on the first book is almost done. I hope to put it on Amazon and other platforms soon (because I get enough #RejectionLetters professionally; I don't need them on my passion projects as well).
More on that soon.

Pitch rejections and play submission rejections are to be expected, however when the editor or reviewer take the time to personalise the response it doesn't seem to wound as much.

Emails to 'undisclosed recipients' starting "Dear Writer/Playwright/Applicant" always leave a bitter taste.

When I receive an email starting, "Dear Marjorie ..." with relevant details of my application, I feel seen, and encouraged even though unsuccessful this time.

#AmWriting #Writer #RejectionLetters #DoBetter