top of page

How you say it

Today I opened the kindest rejection letter I've ever received.


I submitted a short piece of fiction to a lit magazine a few weeks ago, and today they came back to say that it wasn't successful but that the story made it to the final round. The editor took the time to write a few kind words about the piece, and put me in touch with some editors at other magazines where she thinks it would be a good fit.


I immediately went to tell my husband, because, Oh my god, a compliment! Someone who thinks my work deserves to be out there!


I laugh at myself now (and at my husband's confusion) because it still is a rejection. Those are never fun. In fact they often sting. The letter could have just said "no thanks" or "not right for us at this time," but they took the time to let me know how far I got, and what I could do next.


A good reminder for anytime we have to deliver bad news, whether to a friend or via UX copy or during a work meeting. Even if the content of the message is technically a disappointment, offering next steps and being clear about the process can have the recipient walking away in a relatively good mood.

Comments


Thanks for subscribing

bottom of page