A few weeks ago, I read a submission for The Leading Edge (I volunteer read slush for the magazine) from a lady from Germany. The story was about a dwindling race of indigenous natives being driven from their lands by a corporate, high-technology society. This one girl gets lost in the wilderness and everyone thinks she’s dead, but she’s really taken by this magical demigod woman who the natives worship. One of the natives basically sells his soul to integrate with the invaders, while the main character fights them up to the end.
It was an interesting story with some poignant moments, but way too much for 15,000 words. I wrote in my comments that this lady was really writing a novel and that she should try her hand at it, because if she pulled it off with some skill the story was good enough that I’d be willing to buy it.
Well, today we got a postcard in the mail from the same lady, thanking us for our kind comments! Here’s what she said:
Dear Director,
I want to apologize for sending you “Kith and Kin” which contained some inappropriate content*…it was kind of you to permit reviewers “RJ” and “JV” to comment nonetheless, and I found their comments detailed, thoughtful, and helpful! The piece has now placed elsewhere. Thank you for your time.
Very truly yours,
Suzanne Sykorn in Germany
That was kind of her to send a note! Good to know, also, that people find my comments helpful. The editors gave me the postcard, so it will be a nice writerly keepsake to add to my collection of rejection letters (and acceptance letter!!).
For my own career, I think I’ll do like this lady and send out postcards whenever I get a personalized rejection. It’s definitely a kind, thoughtful gesture.
*The inappropriate content mostly had to with sex and drug use. It didn’t bother me, as callous and profane as I am, but I think some of the other slush readers had issues. Since Leading Edge is a BYU publication, we have to follow BYU standards in what we publish.
