It's The Little Things

I received my first rejection letter with ink today from Michigan Quarterly Review. For those of you not privy to the ins and outs of seeking publication, this is extremely rare. Most often writers get form rejection letters that basically say, "Thanks for submitting, but your work sucks." Perhaps not quite so harsh, but you get my drift. The worst rejection I ever received said, "Dear Poet. Thanks for your work, but we can't publish this." I think most of you know I don't write poetry.

The problem is, I'm not entirely sure how I'm supposed to take this handwritten note. It's a 4x6 inch post card with the address of the journal on the top and some typewritten text. The first part says, "The editors regret that the enclosed material does not suit the current needs of Michigan Quarterly Review." (Pretty standard). Then, there is a second, long paragraph that basically says a lot of people don't know what the journal wants, so you should buy a copy.

Well, the second paragraph is crossed out on my letter. Underneath is written: "Thanks! All best - KJ."

I can take this is one of two ways. My work is so god awful, KJ doesn't even want me reading her journal. She wants me to forget the mag even exists.

Conversely, KJ thinks I know what they want and I was this close to getting my story published. Since I am so close to being published in this prestigious journal, she (it's feminine handwriting) wants to save me the $4.00 a back issue will cost.

I'm choosing to think the latter because it makes me feel like I'm getting closer to the Grail. Many of you may be thinking KJ is just trying to be nice, but no one cares what you think.

To hedge some comments- yes. I'm this obsessive when it comes to dating, too.

So - the panic of the weekend has subsided and it's back to work for this fictionista.