NUMBER 22

Sir/Miss,

We are informing you that we have received your manuscript.

Upon reviewing the customary one paragraph of the composition we are going to have to reject this work.

While in most cases it is a hard choice this was a relatively simple decision. Within two lines our editors were certain this work was unsuitable for us, nor is it really suitable for any other publishing house.

If this is your first effort be encouraged that your writing can only improve from this point. If, however, you have been attempting to write for any length of time we suggest you reconsider this idea.

In either case the list of errors and areas that need to be learned, and here we wish we /could/ say improved, is far too extensive to warrant our putting them to paper. We are unsure, through the gross lack of skill and understanding displayed in this work, that it is necessarily realistic to expect you to be able to implement such changes in writing.

We understand as a new writer you are expecting, if not hoping for, advice if not information on the process involved in getting published. It is our unfortunate task to inform you that in your case:don't bother.

Editor