Hi JR,
It seems like people who teach prisoners make for good writers. I like your story a good amount. Our submissions are a little full right now, and it doesn't look like we're going to be able to get this one into a future issue, but it's a good deal better than a lot of stuff that I see. You have an interesting way of unwinding the plot, and a good weird overall style. I hope you're able to find another home for this piece, and I also hope you'll think of hitting us up again in the future.
Best, Matt DiGangi
--Ed., Thieves Jargon
15 comments:
Don't give up. They can only publish so much in a year, esp. they are a small press.
Keep trying!
-P
Cheer up, JR.!
Look at your editor's style, especially his opening para:
"It seems like people who teach prisoners make for good writers"
WTF?.
I think I would have gone:
It would seem that teachers of writing in prisons are themselves promising writers.
I know you always avoid sour grapes, so I thought I would do it for you.
Yes, hit this guy with another piece.
It would appear that he is no better writer than you are.
* Note to the editor: This is purely Ivan's opinion. JR had noting to do with soliciting it. My own company, Island Grove press is taking another look at JR's work. Ivan thinks that JR is a promising writer indeed.
Ivan Prokopchuk
Proprietor
Island Grove Press
Canada
Jim,
These types of rejections lead writers to drink Drano! So close, so close. Got to agree with the last comment -- send them something else.
Hi JR! Thanks for stopping by for the visit. Yes, hit them again!
Oh, I would just try again. I think he means it when he says he likes what you sent. As Ivan says, look at his style! But the fact that he actually responded in a personal fashion--just try again.
Donnetta
JR, keep trying. Definitely! Nice to see you back.
Josie
Wow, even before reading Ivan's response, I was thinking "Who this rejection letter?" Where did he learn his writing "skills"? By all means, try again and hopefully next time, someone else will read your admission.
oops...my writing skills lack in that I forgot to put in the word WROTE. :(
JR, rejection is something we all deal with. However, I would bombard him with massive pieces until he just didn't say I was a good writer but proved what he was saying by publishing me.
Of course, be nice.,, but with a tad of Ivan's sarcasm. He will be sucked in and wished he he had taken you on the first time you sent me your writing.
Good Luck.
Jim: "a good weird overall style"?
Another WTF? If you can detach, it's almost funny. But getting published, I know, is a serious matter. Keep on keeping on -- best way to get what you want no matter when or where it takes.
p.s. Nice St. Francis photo . . .
Yes JR... don't stop.. you write good stuff... keep on trying... somewhere someone will publish it.
I will hold a thumb.. (2 thumbs are bad luck)
JRT,
That’s the best “not now” letter I’ve ever seen. I have only submitted a few things in my life, but I’m looking for the right place to try sending some pieces. When I do, I hope they’re as kind.
On a totally different note.You know the brother that I always mention whenever I refer to you and Ron? Well, he lives over in Macomb County in a small historic district of registered centennial homes. He is an excellent videographer/ filmmaker both privately and commercially. He is shooting my daughter's wedding next week. He also made two films to show: one at the wedding and one at the reception. Anyway, he called Tuesday to say they were done and ready to put in the mail. He then went a few blocks away to a friend's house. Within the hour, his son called. He was asleep in his upstairs bedroom and woke up choking in smoke. The house was burning. [The fire started in a junction box in the basement and climbed up the clothes chute.] Dave came home and 4 fire trucks soon joined him. He called back while they were busting out windows and hosing down his house. They'll be out of the house for 4 months. Basically, everything is either burned, melted, or smoke damaged. Amazingly, a fireman pulled much of his editing suite out to the lawn. In the pile was his cameras, hard drives, computers, and over 400 baby-thru-dating pictures of my daughter and her fiancé. The house was full of antiques on both floors. Most can be salvaged. Insurance is taking good care of them. He insists on still shooting the wedding. They’re spirits are very good considering what these past two days have held.
It's too soon to post this at POI, but I wanted to tell some folks about it. Thanks for listening. =)
Patterns of Ink:
Oh my God!
What a tragic thing to happen to your videographer friend.
Reminds me of a time my girlfriend threw me out, taking my typewriter and guitar as "upaid back rent."
Immediately,l I got a job as a freelance writer for the Toronto Star and a musical gig at the local bar.
No typewriter (those were the old days), no guitar.
I rented all that stuff and barely broke even on the gigs.
Makes you think of old Jerry Lee Lewis and this disasters and conflagrations.
Ivan
that's the best rejection letter i've ever read! (and i've read quite a few) thanks for sharing.
Keep sending. It's only a matter of time.
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