0 for 3

Back from vacation to discover two more telltale 9 x 12" self-addressed manila envelopes (the ubiquitous SASE's) signaling two more publishers passing on The Search for Plupreme. The form rejection letters are getting interesting to compare, though.

First, from Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, Inc.:

Dear Author/Illustrator:

We deeply regret having to use this form letter; however, the volume of manuscripts and artwork we receive precludes our writing to you personally. Please be assured that your work was given serious attention by one of our editors, but unfortunately was considered inappropriate for our list.

We are grateful to you for thinking of us and wish you the best of luck in placing your work elsewhere.

Sincerely,
[Unsigned]
Editorial Staff
Books for Young Readers

This was only slightly less anonymous than the Greenwillow postcard. The "author/illustrator" ambiguity, in particular, suggests a lack of interest in even bothering to create two unique "Thanks, But No Thanks" form letters, but at least they claimed my work "was given serious attention."

Next, Gulliver Books (Harcourt) followed with the most personal rejection to date:

Dear Author,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript for my consideration and for your interest in Gulliver Books.

I have reviewed your work carefully, but I’m afraid I cannot offer to take the project on. We receive numerous submissions each year, including many of considerable merit. Because our list is small and selective, we are able to publish only a very few of these. I wish I could comment more specifically on your project, but the large number of submissions make such a reply impossible.

I’m sorry I cannot give a more encouraging response. I am returning your material with my thanks for thinking of me. I wish you luck in your publishing pursuits.

Best wishes,
Elizabeth Van Doren
Editorial Director of Gulliver Books

Kudos to Elizabeth for signing her form rejection and for making it more personal, even referring to herself a number of times.

So, three down and seven to go.

But, hey, it only takes two to start a bidding war.