“Thank you for submitting your article for our consideration. Unfortunately, your article does not meet our editorial needs.”
I hate that rejection letter more than any. It does not tell me how to be a better writer. It makes me believe that the editor glanced at the title and assumed it didn’t meet the need. It seems like it’s the easy way out, the form rejection letter.
Furthermore, it begs the question, “Aren’t my needs more important than some editor’s?”
Indeed.
I read writer’s guidelines, I submit stuff they ask for, in my opinion. So what happens? Many of the magazines I have submitted articles to I read so I know what they publish and that’s why I sent in my idea.
Here’s what may be happening:
1. I don’t read the magazine enough to really know their editorial needs.
2. I need a more concise and informative title.
3. Opening paragraphs determine many acceptance/rejection decisions. Openers could always be tightened up, use them to show it meets an editorial need.
4. Query letters or cover letters could be more precise, demonstrating you know the magazine, include articles it is similar to and yet how it differs as well.
5. Often my needs do color my opinion of editorial needs. Just because I need money doesn’t mean the editor needs to give it to me!
What rejection letters do you hate the most?
