Gertrude Stein Exasperated Editor's Hilarious Rejection Letter

marbury.typepad.com:

This is a letter sent to Gertrude Stein by her exasperated editor, who had just ploughed his way through (or not) one of her rambling manuscripts (here's a reminder of her high style):

Read the whole story: marbury.typepad.com

Comments

[Andra Claudia Garcia]

10:10 PM on 02/08/2011

This would be a great letter

Dear Whomever,

NO

Thank You,
Rejector

[Nutcase]

03:55 PM on 02/08/2011

It seems he was intent on trying to destroy the ego of the author and thought he was doing it in a humorous way. So, he understood neither writing or humor.

[Nutcase]

03:56 PM on 02/08/2011

nor

[MFS001]

01:12 PM on 02/08/2011

I remember hearing about the following rejection letter -- a short two sentences -- although I do not know who it was from or to whom it was sent:

"Thanks for your submission. I will waste no time in reading it."

[Derek Lantin]

05:59 AM on 02/08/2011

At least the Late Mr. Fifield had a sense of humor!
It is nice to see some humorous comments on this (awful) subject....the torture by rejection that is meted out by literary agents is quite undescribable.
My first two novels were, actually, not bad books, In both cases, I sent details and a professionally prepared "Query Letter" to every appropriate agent I could find.
The rejection slips arrived like confetti for both books.
It is amazing how rude the Literary Agents can be, especially as they are dealing with people who have labored long and hard to produce something. Most of the agents clearly had not even bothered to read the query letter, many did not reply at all, and the remainder send standard rejection slips. The effect of this torture by rejection has a life-sapping effect on one's morale..
Fortunately, my third novel ("Come here and I'll Show You") was snapped up by an agent quite early on in the process and the torture was short-lived.
I hope (pray) that my next book will be equally lucky!
Sincerely, Derek Lantin. http://dereklantin.booksabuzz.com

[thrdr]

04:13 AM on 02/08/2011

It certainly tops the heavily perfumed slip I once got from Gordon Lish!