On Jan. 4, 2012, I submitted a short story to Boulevard. More than seven months later on Aug. 18, 2012, I received the following e-mail. I clicked the provided link and received the message "Status: Declined." The word Declined was emphatically (and one must assume lovingly) printed in red typeface.
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NOTE: Do not reply to this email. This address is used for notifications only. If you need help, contact Submittable Support:xxxxxxxx
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The status of this submission has changed.
You can go here to view the submission:
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The status of this submission has changed.
You can go here to view the submission:
6 comments:
Blech. Since when did submitting creative work become like a credit card transaction? Have a little grace Boulevard.
Hmmm, I wonder if Joyce Carol Oates, Charles Simic, or any of the other famous authors they publish get that same rejection.... ;)
Okay, then. Onto the next thing. Wrapped in kinder words the absolute value is exactly the same: they're just not that into you. Sorry if this blunt rejection hurt your feelings, but I'm guessing the thing that compels you to write in the first place is much more important and compelling than mere rudeness. You ever see a person rifle through the clothes on hangers at the mall? You know, just rifle through shirt after shirt? Imagine if the designer were there and felt crestfallen over every sleight. You've got better things to do with your time than dwell on this one. Heck, if you're a good writer--you'll probably have much worse stories awaiting you down the road.
@anon 8:52
Yes, a rejection is a rejection, but there's something to be said for having some style and class when you're in the arts business. The juxtaposition of this extremely utilitarian rejection and the kind of writing and authors Boulevard publishes is a little jolting, no? "Declined" is what I'd expect from a rag like Narrative.
@foet
moot. no one rejects the Joyce.
I received the following rejection from Boulevard on August 28th:
Thank you very much for sending "The Difference" to Boulevard. We're sorry for taking such a long time with your work. Although it doesn't fill our editorial needs at the moment, we're glad you thought of us. Good luck placing this with another magazine.
Sincerely,
The Editors
There was certainly a bit more finesse, but it still wasn't fun to read.
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