Dear (Name Withheld),
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, your story is not a fit for us at this time, but we appreciated the chance to consider it.
Furthermore, and I do speak for the entire staff, as we were all very impressed with your abilities by crafting a story that we found utterly and completely forgettable. No matter how many times we read your work, none of us were able to remember any details from the piece. It was an act of literary magic, that we were all astounded by, and, we must admit, was an accomplishment of a sort of talent.
Sadly, as Founder, CEO, Executive Editor, and a Writer myself, I cannot publish a story that our readers may enjoy, but ultimately, would never remember. This literary journal was conceived as a repository for memorable works of fiction, and as such, I can only accept pieces that can be remembered.
But, I, and all of us here, do not wish to discourage you and your form of talent with this rejection. Your words do have a unique power, which is remarkable, but in their current state, are unpublishable. I desire to encourage you to continue crafting and creating your stories, and, if I may, offer you some professional advice:
- Your opening sentence and paragraph needs to be catchy, and “hook” the reader by making them want to continue reading the story.
- The language that you use must be compelling and artistic. Only the best words create the best stories.
- Make sure the plot builds, putting the protagonist in a form of jeopardy, thus leaving the reader wondering “What will happen next?”
- The climax should be exciting, and thoroughly brings all the loose ends of the story together in a satisfying conclusion.
- The protagonist needs to change and grow over the course of the story, and end by seeing the world differently.
- If you decide to break with the conventional rules of storytelling, make sure that there is a payoff for the reader by delivering, yet again, a satisfying conclusion. Do not waste your audiences’ time by being different for the sake of being different.
- Most importantly, continue to edit and revise your story until it is in the best professional and presentable form.
If at any time you feel like you haven’t accomplished one or more of the aforementioned points from above, then that is the sign that you need to work on that point. Only when you feel like you have fully satisfied these points in question is when you should submit your story.
And, surprisingly as I write this, I had a rather revelatory thought; what if you already know this advice, and put it into practice with this piece? I would have no way of knowing, would I? We all made the assumption that you didn’t do it, but being that your story is so forgettable, I have no way of knowing for certain what, if any direction, advice, mentorship, or suggestions you did follow, for that matter? This is quite a paradox. Perhaps even a sticky wicket.
Well, best to error on the side of caution, right!
Follow the advice, and resubmit in three months.
Looking forward to your next submission!
All the Best,
(Name Withheld)
(Magazine Title Withheld)
Founder, CEO, Executive Editor, Writer
“The reflection of honest words can illuminate the soul!”
R.C. Joiner
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Matthew Groff is a husband, father, and a writer living in New York City.
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image: MM Kaufman
Rejection Letters 