The Gorko Gazette

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5.5.2026 7:00 AM

Magazine Editor’s Handbook: Lesson One by Bill Tope

Rejection Letter Template

Thank you for the submission of _________ to _________ journal. We genuinely appreciated the opportunity to read your: poem___ fiction___ CNF___ other___. We enjoyed reading your art. We know what effort and creative energy goes into the creative process. We are writers___ poets___ other___ too.

Unfortunately, your work was not selected for publication in our next blog___ print issue___ anthology___.

This is not a reflection of the quality of your craftsmanship. It was simply not a good fit at this time.

Because you requested feedback, please see the following detailed critique of your poem___ fiction___ CNF___ other:

We found the narrative confusing___ indecipherable___ effed up___.

The dialogue was stilted___ unrealistic___ more appropriate to space aliens___.

Your poem___ fiction___ CNF___ other___ used a vocabulary which was inappropriate to the target audience___ was salty as a sailor’s___ must have been written in Pig Latin___.

Overall, we felt your poem___ fiction___ CNF___ other___ was somewhat beneath the literary standards set by our literary journal___ significantly inferior___ so bad we wouldn’t wrap a fish in it___.

In conclusion, thanks again for the opportunity to witness your art. It has been real. Don’t forget to buy us a cup of coffee.

About the artist

Bill Tope is a retired caseworker, construction laborer, Hilton Hotel line cook and one-time nude model for university art classes. He lives in the American Midwest with his mean little cat Baby.