Over the decade during which I have been doing the devil’s work, I have finally become inured to rejection letters. They come with the territory. That said, the different ways editors go about rejecting projects is fascinating. I have identified at least seven types:1) The Eager Rejecter 2) The Reluctant Rejecter 3) The Avoider Rejecter4) The Braggart Rejecter 5) The Apologetic Rejecter 6) The Sadistic Rejecter and 7) The Every-Cliche-In-the Book Rejecter.

Today, let’s talk about the Eager Rejector. The first thing to note about this type is that he hasn’t figured out that e-mail is a really useful tool with which to decline a project; there is no need to pick up the phone to reject a book. Still, the eager beaver loves to jump on the horn first thing. We have noticed that most editors reject books in the afternoon after having put it off for while. After lunch is good: we’ve all had our lunch, we’re a little less alert, and we’ll be going home soon where we can lick our wounds or drown our sorrows. Only the Eager Rejecter gets off on his ability to RUIN your day right out of the gate. Some of these types want to be thanked for being so prompt, reading so quickly. Yeah, well, thanks for finishing so quickly and kicking me out of bed, too. I mean, please. Eager rejecting is just uncool. Next up: The Reluctant Rejecter.

Filed under: Uncategorized |