Disser: "Well, Ms. Merujo, we've reviewed everything you sent us and honestly, it really isn't of the sophisticated caliber required for the DC market."
Merujo: "Okaaaaay. Can you offer any advice on how I could improve my copy to be competitive with the writers you're hiring?"
Disser: "Well... it's hard to put a finger on it... I think your stuff would work in a smaller town..."
In a smaller town? Omigod. Apparently, I'm a yokel writer. I had no idea! And I'm sure my friends back in Illinois will be thrilled to know that smaller towns don't deserve high quality writing. I guess y'all aren't smart enough for them thar big words them city folks use.
Grrrr.
Smacking my forehead against the wall now...
4 comments:
Scott Adams, the creator of "Dilbert," has placed his rejection letters online.
My favorite, from the LA Times:
"Dear Mr. Adams:
As you may recall, a while back you and I discussed the cartoons that you sent to my syndicate. Well, I've continued to think about your work--especially about the fact that you could benefit from working with a collaborator who may be more accomplished as an artist but whose sense of humor meshes with yours."
(The editor then suggested that he take art classes....)
http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/news_and_history/html/the_dawn_of_dilbert_reactions.html
And I work at an ad agency. Writing for an agency is about the least creative thing you can do. It's all about subverting creativity and delivering copy that is on target and on message. Keep trying and you'll find someone that appreciates creativity.
Oh shit, Merujo. That sucks. Then again, are you sure you want to go the agency route?
Oh, and it's not that you suck; it's just that you and they didn't match. With color and personality like you have, I am certain there is a print niche for you. I *don't* say that to everybody, and I *don't* waste time reading words that I don't think have value. Yeah, I'm a judgemental bitch of a blogreader that way. You make the cut. Yeah, you do. Stick with it. They suck.
Thanks for all the good thoughts! There's a follow-up to this story. I called that agency back - I wanted to see if the "principle" at the firm could give me some guidance. I ended up with that same charming young woman on the phone.
Said she: "Look, he never saw your stuff. It didn't pass the 'sniff test' with me. He's very busy, and he doesn't have time to talk to failed writers."
I expressed some surprise at being called a "failed writer" and asked her when she last had a piece of commentary on an NPR station or wrote a keynote address for the CEO of a billion-dollar corporation.
She hung up on me.
Warm fuzzies all around!
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