Yesterday, I received the following rejection letter from Harper's Magazine in the mail + though it's their standard rejection letter, the fact that they typed my name up + signed the letter makes me special, even though I'm clearly not. Still, considering Harper's publishes one unsolicited short story a year, I knew my odds going in. On the other hand, I'll gladly be in the company of other rejected writers also sending Harper's Magazine material considered truly impressive and such good work. At least I'm in good company. See, I'm that kind of writer: Devoutly idealistic, ambitious, intrepid, unafraid to take a risk, delusional, the kind of writer that doesn't know how to take no for an answer. And someday, that's why I'm gonna publish my shit.
HARPER'S
MAGAZINE
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MAGAZINE
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March 29, 2011
Dear Mr. Bliss,
Many thanks for sending your story to Harper's Magazine. I'm sorry to say that it's not quite right for us. Please do bear in mind that we publish only twelve stories each year, + receive hundreds of submissions, many of them truly impressive works of fiction, for those spots. Turning away so much good work is a frustrating task for any editor--it is, also, alas, unavoidable.
We wish you the best of luck in placing the story elsewhere, + thank you once again for thinking of us.
All best,
James Marcus
Deputy Editor
Dear Mr. Bliss,
Many thanks for sending your story to Harper's Magazine. I'm sorry to say that it's not quite right for us. Please do bear in mind that we publish only twelve stories each year, + receive hundreds of submissions, many of them truly impressive works of fiction, for those spots. Turning away so much good work is a frustrating task for any editor--it is, also, alas, unavoidable.
We wish you the best of luck in placing the story elsewhere, + thank you once again for thinking of us.
All best,
James Marcus
Deputy Editor