Delightful letter, but I have to ask, is this by the late Brian Doyle? (He once wrote wonderfully about writing to some 500 other Brian Doyles around the U.S., so maybe it is I who am wrong in thinking of the writer who died in 2017.)
As an academic, Shawn, rejection letters are not unknown to me. One of my textbook manuscripts, when being passed around to publisher's committee members, was singled out by a snarky reviewer as "three standard deviations worse than anything that sword wielding, opinionated person had ever seen." It stung. Today that manuscript has been published by Kenndall/Hunt Publishing and is required reading on many campuses. I liked the one you shared. It does the same job - without giving any advice to the author.
Editing Portland Magazine is among the least of Brian Doyle's many literary accomplishments. Here is another that's worth your time -- and everybody else's too, probably.
I think that letter is contemptible. It makes mock of someone who submitted an article in good faith. It says “we do not take your submission seriously enough to even pretend that it is worthy of any consideration.” Gutless, unprofessional and ,as I said, contemptible.
Delightful letter, but I have to ask, is this by the late Brian Doyle? (He once wrote wonderfully about writing to some 500 other Brian Doyles around the U.S., so maybe it is I who am wrong in thinking of the writer who died in 2017.)
It seems you're correct. I had no idea he had died.
I twice had the pleasure of hearing Brian speak, talking with him once. Amazing person.
As an academic, Shawn, rejection letters are not unknown to me. One of my textbook manuscripts, when being passed around to publisher's committee members, was singled out by a snarky reviewer as "three standard deviations worse than anything that sword wielding, opinionated person had ever seen." It stung. Today that manuscript has been published by Kenndall/Hunt Publishing and is required reading on many campuses. I liked the one you shared. It does the same job - without giving any advice to the author.
Editing Portland Magazine is among the least of Brian Doyle's many literary accomplishments. Here is another that's worth your time -- and everybody else's too, probably.
https://theamericanscholar.org/joyas-volardores/
Loved it.
One of my favorites!
If I'd gotten the rejection letter, I'd feel pretty special anyway for the time spent writing it.
I think that letter is contemptible. It makes mock of someone who submitted an article in good faith. It says “we do not take your submission seriously enough to even pretend that it is worthy of any consideration.” Gutless, unprofessional and ,as I said, contemptible.
With a life like this, one would likely be a bit neurotic.
Brian Doyle’s Mink River is one of my favorite books.
I must remember to submit something to the Portland Magazine in hopes of getting a personalized copy of this letter. So inspiring!