I actually met Andy Zack many years later, after this rejection notice, at a writers’ conference. Nice guy.

Anyway, take a gander:

IMG_1885

You know, I can remember thinking — at the time I received this — that it was almost over written. Over mannered. Too precise and specific.

But let’s be honest: Wannabe writers are not always known for being the most calm, rational, and accepting of creatures. 1 So it behooves an agent to try to anticipate as many possible responses as he or she can, and head them off at the pass. 2 Every time I look at this little rejection slip, I remind myself of what it must be like on the other side of the desk, in constant fear that any rejection could trigger a monumental meltdown of epic proportions, stepping cautiously, writing carefully…

  1. I speak as one who was one!
  2. By the way, gang, when you get a form letter rejection, don’t write back and try to argue it. Just move on. Whining, “It does so meet your needs, you doody-head!” does no one any good.