Its fun, huh. I did another one – google – letters to Erato carl dagostino. It was one of my first posts and consider it in the top five pieces I have ever written. Thanks for visits.
I’d rather get this than the “not for me, thanks” or worse – no response at all. This would at least be good for a laugh. (What a coincidence – I happen to number my pages chronologically and start sentences with capital letters, too!)
I have received several one and two years after the fact ! The stamp on the SASE was not enough. It’s strange for cartoons. They used to accept electronic submissions only so I learned how to do all that but now the trend is back to hard copy.
How we suffer for our art.
If only they new.
(If only you lived in the village, then we could discuss our suffering at length over a pint or two. While suffering.)
You had me going until the colored ink bit…I just thought you had one of those journals that finds snark fun. That said, my 2012 goal was to send out my work. This week, I’ve received, my first 2!!! very boring form rejections. I’d like a bit of snark! ~
It took me 35 years to get mt first cartoon published. I did have one success . In the mid 80’s a local”give away at the grocery stand” newspaper printed my editorials each week. The second week that my blog went up an editor asked to publish a cartoon. That was so thrilling.
It’s hilarious! So much so I’m going to send it to the next budding screenwriter looking for advice. I can just imagine the confused look on A.N. Onymous’s face on reading… “but, all of those points are good things, right?” Then when he calls looking for clarity I’d have my desk girl bring him in for a meeting and promise him a movie deal if he can correctly guess the last time I gave a shit. If he even attempts to answer I’ll set fire to his script right then and there, blame him for it, have him arrested for attempted arson, collect the insurance check then sell off the rights to the script and skip town. Average to above kinda day.
Better off. Writing on screen can be annoying, particularly when your hand smears the ink… Have you writing an historical novel considering your background or is it a work of fiction? What’s the subject if you don’t mind me asking – promise I won’t skip town.
It doesn’t get any better than that Carl – just think of how many manuscripts were tossed without even being dignified by such a thoughtful and well intended response.
All rejections I have received say “It is a remarkable piece of work. We are sorry we cannot include it in our publishing programme and wish you success with other publishers”. Next time I send a manuscript to a publisher I will send your text as a sample “reject letter”. At least I will laugh when I get rejected.
Ha, if that were for real, it would certainly be one I’d keep, maybe even frame! Love the sense of humor – fact is some editors probably want to say those things to some of the manuscripts they receive!
You know, forgery is a felony! Perhaps your next endeavor should be bank checks or Miami mortgage loans. Possibly your past residence could use some financing. (Ican hear the sound of chi-ching, chi-ching already.
Meanwhile under an extensive search, No such company exists and the only same name for your “editor” comes up as childrens book author
“You Can Fool Some Of The People Some Of The Time”
But watch out for a Siggie
Wow, Carl, that’s way more detailed than anything I’ve gotten! I’d be encouraged! Maybe I shouldn’t have ended all of my sentences in the manuscript with exclamation points!
74 responses to “Manuscript Rejection Letter by Carl D’Agostino”
reneejohnsonwrites
September 26th, 2013 at 06:35
Too funny Carl! Love it!
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Carl D'Agostino
September 26th, 2013 at 06:54
Thanks for visit
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idiotprufs
June 15th, 2012 at 17:15
Wow, that was more insulting than any fictitious letter I could ever write.
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idiotprufs
June 15th, 2012 at 17:19
Just caught on to the fact that it’s a fake, you had me going.
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Carl D'Agostino
June 15th, 2012 at 18:58
Its fun, huh. I did another one – google – letters to Erato carl dagostino. It was one of my first posts and consider it in the top five pieces I have ever written. Thanks for visits.
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Sylver Blaque
March 8th, 2012 at 20:29
I can’t stop laughing to form a coherent comment! 😆
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Carl D'Agostino
March 8th, 2012 at 20:58
It was a fun post for all. Glad you liked it.
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CMSmith
March 4th, 2012 at 11:12
Absolutely hilarious. Reminds me of a job evaluation I once got: “You get here on time everyday.”
I left there in short order and took my talents where they could be appreciated–right here at home by yours truly.
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Carl D'Agostinoc
March 4th, 2012 at 11:49
His shoe laces are tied which is appropriate re office demeanor. I think this piece in my top 5 best.
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jannatwrites
March 1st, 2012 at 17:34
I’d rather get this than the “not for me, thanks” or worse – no response at all. This would at least be good for a laugh. (What a coincidence – I happen to number my pages chronologically and start sentences with capital letters, too!)
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Carl D'Agostino
March 1st, 2012 at 17:45
I have received several one and two years after the fact ! The stamp on the SASE was not enough. It’s strange for cartoons. They used to accept electronic submissions only so I learned how to do all that but now the trend is back to hard copy.
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Val
March 1st, 2012 at 11:39
LOL, Carl! Maybe you should send this to various publishers to use for real? At least then writers who get rejected could enjoy their rejections!
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Carl D'Agostino
March 1st, 2012 at 13:17
Being able to laugh at our disappointments, well it has to help as long as we don’t let them make us give up.
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pattisj
February 29th, 2012 at 01:25
Too funny, Carl.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 29th, 2012 at 04:29
Oh sure , Funny for you. I’m the poor sap crying,
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blackwatertown
February 29th, 2012 at 16:35
How we suffer for our art.
If only they new.
(If only you lived in the village, then we could discuss our suffering at length over a pint or two. While suffering.)
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Carl D'Agostino
February 29th, 2012 at 16:52
Perhaps. Someday. We would enjoy picking each other’s minds.
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monicastangledweb
February 28th, 2012 at 23:40
You’re too good for them. They have no idea what they’re missing.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 29th, 2012 at 04:28
When the Workers’ Revolution comes they will all pay dearly.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 22:46
Dear Mr. Petruska, although staff agrees you “have a way with words” so to speak……
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Mark Petruska
February 28th, 2012 at 22:21
That’s a rejection letter I actually wouldn’t mind receiving. And then framing on the wall.
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libraryscenes
February 28th, 2012 at 21:33
You had me going until the colored ink bit…I just thought you had one of those journals that finds snark fun. That said, my 2012 goal was to send out my work. This week, I’ve received, my first 2!!! very boring form rejections. I’d like a bit of snark! ~
LikeLike
Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 22:35
It took me 35 years to get mt first cartoon published. I did have one success . In the mid 80’s a local”give away at the grocery stand” newspaper printed my editorials each week. The second week that my blog went up an editor asked to publish a cartoon. That was so thrilling.
LikeLike
Thomas Stazyk
February 28th, 2012 at 16:42
I got the same letter in reponse to my ms! Don’t you hate form rejection letters?
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 16:52
OMG. Well I had nothing to do with that. I was in Connecticut the whole time . Sal and Lefty and Fat Tony will vouch for me.
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Chukkas Blowsier
February 28th, 2012 at 16:36
Bwahahaha! If I worked at a publishing company that’s exactly the kind of rejection letter I’d love to send out. Genius.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 16:53
I was hoping you’d stop by today. Killer ain’t it?
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Chukkas Blowsier
February 28th, 2012 at 17:14
It’s hilarious! So much so I’m going to send it to the next budding screenwriter looking for advice. I can just imagine the confused look on A.N. Onymous’s face on reading… “but, all of those points are good things, right?” Then when he calls looking for clarity I’d have my desk girl bring him in for a meeting and promise him a movie deal if he can correctly guess the last time I gave a shit. If he even attempts to answer I’ll set fire to his script right then and there, blame him for it, have him arrested for attempted arson, collect the insurance check then sell off the rights to the script and skip town. Average to above kinda day.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 17:35
Oh Oh. Looks like I must cross you off my “send to” list. I am not a screen writer anyway. I use paper.
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Chukkas Blowsier
February 28th, 2012 at 18:14
Better off. Writing on screen can be annoying, particularly when your hand smears the ink… Have you writing an historical novel considering your background or is it a work of fiction? What’s the subject if you don’t mind me asking – promise I won’t skip town.
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Chukkas Blowsier
February 28th, 2012 at 18:15
‘Have you writing’ … Jesus, I need sleep.
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Chris
February 28th, 2012 at 16:08
That is too funny! Too bad it isn’t reall. That would be something to hang ona wall.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 16:11
Most rejections are really very kind letdowns and seems publishers do have consideration for people after all.
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L. Kay Johnson
February 28th, 2012 at 14:48
hahaha! Very funny. You definitely made me smile with this one.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 15:34
I’m glad. Mission accomplished.
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Laura Best
February 28th, 2012 at 13:29
you’re telling me I have to start all my sentences with capital letters? fine time now to find out…sheesh.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 15:33
Picky, picky, picky. That’s what I say.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 12:25
Ah, you caught me. I am not sure some have caught on.
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Diane Tibert
February 28th, 2012 at 15:21
I think you’re right. 🙂
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Diane Tibert
February 28th, 2012 at 12:08
You had me until you said the pages were numbered in order. lol
That’s a great rejection letter to share with writers, particularly new ones.
Thanks for sharing.
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siubhan
February 28th, 2012 at 11:07
Paper mill!? Ouch. Wish my rejections were half so entertaining…
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:39
Show eds are not creative enough to produce their own stuff but can ridicule others.
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pointsthruprose
February 28th, 2012 at 11:03
What have we become?
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:38
They think literature stopped with Hemingway. On the serious side I do like the Dan Brown genre.
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fiercebuddhist
February 28th, 2012 at 10:39
You are not alone my friend.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:36
My real life disappointments were some(I thought good) history essays always rejected by academic pubs.
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kofegeek
February 28th, 2012 at 10:38
i sense genius denial from the editor 😛
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:35
Can’t see good stuff beyond his own nose.
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wordsweneversaid
February 28th, 2012 at 10:35
Ha ha ha!
It doesn’t get any better than that Carl – just think of how many manuscripts were tossed without even being dignified by such a thoughtful and well intended response.
Way to go!
Sincerely,
M.L.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:34
Gotta keep trying.
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Ankur Mithal
February 28th, 2012 at 10:35
All rejections I have received say “It is a remarkable piece of work. We are sorry we cannot include it in our publishing programme and wish you success with other publishers”. Next time I send a manuscript to a publisher I will send your text as a sample “reject letter”. At least I will laugh when I get rejected.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:34
Some rejays are very kind though
and that is funny too.
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Amy
February 28th, 2012 at 10:16
This explains a lot about why nothing of mine has been accepted anywhere. Maybe I should stop shuffling the pages together.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:33
I suppose we must not give up. Plus I have wall papered two rooms with rejection letters.
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poemsandponderings
February 28th, 2012 at 10:16
134 Years and they still ain’t got no clue…They don’t know nuthin’ from nuthin’..I’m sure it was quite a piece of…I’m sure it was gud..
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 11:32
And I hand wrote the thing too. No appreciation for old time craftsmanship.
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Bonnie
February 28th, 2012 at 09:18
May I just say (or yell very loudly) ‘their loss’. 😀
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 09:39
When it gets made into the movie they will see the short shortsightedness of their assessment.
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mairedubhtx
February 28th, 2012 at 08:38
You made me laugh.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:44
Good . Mission accomplished. Or is that submission ?
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suzicate
February 28th, 2012 at 08:29
Ha, if that were for real, it would certainly be one I’d keep, maybe even frame! Love the sense of humor – fact is some editors probably want to say those things to some of the manuscripts they receive!
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:43
Yeah, like “whyja waste the stamps?”
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PRusso
February 28th, 2012 at 08:24
I am sure all punctuation was proper
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:26
i know) i checked, everything” very carefully ;
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Craig N.
February 28th, 2012 at 08:13
You know, forgery is a felony! Perhaps your next endeavor should be bank checks or Miami mortgage loans. Possibly your past residence could use some financing. (Ican hear the sound of chi-ching, chi-ching already.
Meanwhile under an extensive search, No such company exists and the only same name for your “editor” comes up as childrens book author
“You Can Fool Some Of The People Some Of The Time”
But watch out for a Siggie
LikeLike
Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:20
Made ja look. Made ja look.
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totsymae1011
February 28th, 2012 at 07:57
This can’t be a real rejection letter. You are the classic prankster.
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:19
You caught it .
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HoaiPhai
February 28th, 2012 at 06:55
Class publisher… did it arrive postage due?
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:18
I used SASE of course.
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Life in the Boomer Lane
February 28th, 2012 at 06:27
Wow, Carl, that’s way more detailed than anything I’ve gotten! I’d be encouraged! Maybe I shouldn’t have ended all of my sentences in the manuscript with exclamation points!
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:18
Good Lord ! I’ve done that too ! No wonder !
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Maxi Malone
February 28th, 2012 at 06:22
Paper mill or pencil factory? What the hey? Oh well, keep sending out that manuscript, Carl, a creative publisher will pick it up sooner or later.
Blessings – Maxi
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Carl D'Agostino
February 28th, 2012 at 08:17
Maybe I’ll deliver newspapers dressed up like Shakespeare or something.
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