I hate form rejections

[Lyn]

We received your submission to [our zine] but cannot accept it at this time. This may be due to a need for editing, a theme that does not fit within the scope of the site, or the fact that we have recently accepted a story similar to yours. We invite you to go over the submission guidelines, edit your story, and submit it or another piece at a later time. Thank you for your interest in [our zine].

Why would I edit the story and resubmit if the theme doesn't fit the zine's scope or if they've already accepted a story similar to mine? How would I know? Where's the feedback people? Sheesh.

[tchernabyelo]

I generally have no qualm with form rejections, but that's a particularly bad attempt at covering all bases whle trying to be encouraging.

[Richard H. Fay]

Having received some frustratingly harsh feedback in personal rejections with comments, I'm starting to see the benefits of form rejections. I have said before that I think there are times a simple "thanks, but no thanks" is best. However, that form rejection is pretty sad in its attempt to cover all the bases.

[Ramon Rozas]

I prefer personal rejections, no matter how harsh they may be. At least you're sure somebody LOOKED at your story. And if the market's "pro" enough, that may engender good feelings.

I just received a quasi-personal rejection from Asimov's SF, from which I have never gotten anything but a mimeographed sheet with their guidelines and my first page with "no" written on it. That's some achievement, right?

[Lyn]

Good points, all. And that's a good sign, I think, Ramon.

[erazmus]

I don't mind a form rejection, though I detest one that comes after an inordinately long time. If they bounce it quickly, fine. I don't start to get my hope up for several weeks, usually four months or so. Getting a form rejection after half a year or more . . . well, you'd think after holding on to a piece so long they'd have more to say.

Mike