More on rejection letters.

Having queries and partials out with a variety of agents means that when I get one of my SASEs in the mail, I don't know who it's coming from. In fact, I don't even know if it will be a rejection or a request for more pages. I always assume it's a rejection, but I've had it happen both ways. There is this moment at the mailbox where my heart pounds at double time and my breath catches in anticipation. I examine the postmark and breathe a sigh of relief that it isn't from the state where my first-choice agent is located. (Right now she has my full manuscript, so anything in the mail from her is likely to be bad, bad news. I don't want bad, bad news from her!)

If it's a request, I get excited and dance around little. If it's a rejection - and it usually is - I still have hope. I don't care because it wasn't from my first-choice!

So, the mailbox visit is quite an exciting and stressful part of my day. I just don't know how I'll convince myself to have hope if one day a rejection letter is from her.

My favorite rejection letter so far.

Dear Author:

Many thanks for the arrival of your letter describing your writing project/s. We must, unfortunately, report that we do not feel sufficiently enthusiastic about the project to pursue it further.

I regret the seemingly impersonal nature of this letter. The agency handles so many letters of query and, wishing to provide a timely response that any author needs and deserves, we have had to depart from the practice of responding personally to letters of query. Please be assured, however, that we continue to consider each query carefully, including yours.

We do appreciate the opportunity to consider your work and wish you much success and pleasure in your writing.

Sincerely, [Literary Assistant]

I have to say, this is probably my favorite rejection letter so far. This line is the most honest that I have seen: We must, unfortunately, report that we do not feel sufficiently enthusiastic about the project to pursue it further.

THAT is the crux of the matter. I don't need flowery compliments in my form letters. They almost make me feel worse, in fact because I know they were written for every writer IN THE WORLD and not just me. I could also do without the lengthy apology for using a form letter. Seriously. I get it.

The day I get a personalized rejection letter with comments and suggestions this form letter will cease to be my favorite, but for now, it is tacked up in a prominent space on my bulletin board.

First post.

I've had this journal since January, but I haven't actually used it for anything aside from the online classes I've taken. I actually have a couple of other online journals which serve their various purposes perfectly so I have been beyond reluctant to start another. But I think I may start using this one after all. This will be my writing journal. I don't know yet what it will contain: my various correspondence with agents, ramblings about writing woes and writing joys, and perhaps... other stuff. I'll see what happens.

Hello to any and all who find your way to this page! [wave]