Steerage
Traditionally, litmags require an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with which to reply to unsolicited manuscripts. It's a question of the cost of postage and an envelope, but also of the time required to write out the address.
We take advantage of this opportunity to communicate with a writer by including, along with the form rejection letter, a card that says: "YES, I'm hurt because my manuscript was rejected. But I will subscribe because [and here there's a box to check] ZYZZYVA is beautiful and fun to read. And I'm grateful such a magazine exists." [and another box that says: "Just send me a sample copy...."]
Needless to say, rejected writers almost never subscribe. Or buy a sample copy. But a few do. And if we didn't ask, none would.
I recently received a note from a rejected writer, signed illegibly: Howard, I didn't believe my friends who said it (you) were really this bad, so I submitted work to you that was already considered very good as a test, (all the writing I sent to you is now in press at typically decent and unread journals) but Oh-my-god, a rejection SASE used to solicit for a magazine???? Novel for sure, save on money, unexpected, sure marketing genius. Unfortunately, such behavior along with reports that you treat truly good and protean writing (and writers) with contempt. (sorry dude, first hand reports, I sympathize, it sucks) seems to confirm for me that I and others of my ilk should steer a wide course away from you. How do you get away with this? Suffice it to say, to the extent possible, I, along with my friends will get the word out, and to be clear, I'm talking about well known and established writers. My sense is that you knew this already, and go on because it works for you. I would never write such a letter to any other literary arts journal. I know how hard it is to keep such an enterprise going, unfortunately, I really don't like the "tude" you put out.
Then there was JKCohen's recent blognote: http://jkcohen.livejournal.com/40104.html
And then there was Lois Meltzer's recent letter (tacitly belying the claim that all wannabees are poor): The most important thing I learned when I went to that conference on Maui for which I paid $900 (not counting the airfare or the oversweethened drinks with little umbrellas)....is that the secret to getting published is to submit, submit, submit....
We take advantage of this opportunity to communicate with a writer by including, along with the form rejection letter, a card that says: "YES, I'm hurt because my manuscript was rejected. But I will subscribe because [and here there's a box to check] ZYZZYVA is beautiful and fun to read. And I'm grateful such a magazine exists." [and another box that says: "Just send me a sample copy...."]
Needless to say, rejected writers almost never subscribe. Or buy a sample copy. But a few do. And if we didn't ask, none would.
I recently received a note from a rejected writer, signed illegibly: Howard, I didn't believe my friends who said it (you) were really this bad, so I submitted work to you that was already considered very good as a test, (all the writing I sent to you is now in press at typically decent and unread journals) but Oh-my-god, a rejection SASE used to solicit for a magazine???? Novel for sure, save on money, unexpected, sure marketing genius. Unfortunately, such behavior along with reports that you treat truly good and protean writing (and writers) with contempt. (sorry dude, first hand reports, I sympathize, it sucks) seems to confirm for me that I and others of my ilk should steer a wide course away from you. How do you get away with this? Suffice it to say, to the extent possible, I, along with my friends will get the word out, and to be clear, I'm talking about well known and established writers. My sense is that you knew this already, and go on because it works for you. I would never write such a letter to any other literary arts journal. I know how hard it is to keep such an enterprise going, unfortunately, I really don't like the "tude" you put out.
Then there was JKCohen's recent blognote: http://jkcohen.livejournal.com/40104.html
And then there was Lois Meltzer's recent letter (tacitly belying the claim that all wannabees are poor): The most important thing I learned when I went to that conference on Maui for which I paid $900 (not counting the airfare or the oversweethened drinks with little umbrellas)....is that the secret to getting published is to submit, submit, submit....
posted by Howard Junker at 7:12 AM
5 Comments:
You already know my opinions on the subject: emerging writers ought to subscribe to literary journals, especially the ones they admire. ESPECIALLY if you have a story published in one of them--good karma, and a way to say thank you and to keep that journal alive.
Or else they may not be around for you later.
I'll stop here.
Hi Howard,
I'm not offended by the card. You've alwayws been good to me.
However, the last rejection you sent me I found rather confounding and rude. You red-penned my cover letter (!!??) and told me not to send you anymore work until I had a book out.
What's that all about?
Sincerely,
Tony Robinson
p.s. the book's coming out tomorrow
Thanks for linking to my blog entry, but I really don't see myself as a bitter, non-subscribing reject. Better stories of mine are coming your way, and my subscription is (and will remain) current.
People bitch at him for not publishing their work and he bitches right back. Why confine ourselves to the clouds, let's get down in the dirt? O Earth! O Earth! It's genuinely fun to read, it's not this staid NEw England Review mentality. West Side!
There is plenty of literary precedent. For instance William Blake upon being critiqued by a patron in his next series of poems/visionary drawing doo-dads(?)embodied this same patron in the face of Satan.
Onward!
Dear Jilted Writer,
If you're serious about getting a piece published by The Junker, try sending him some beef jerky along with your next submission. Or maybe a Power Bar. I hear they are quite protean. Either way, I'm sure he'd be stoked to find someone who understood his taste in fine snack foods, and would give you a closer reading.
If he still says no, maybe you could start a blog. After all, my friend -- there are many decaffeinated brands out there on the market that taste almost as good as the real thing.
-- Uber Pig
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