Application Time.

Working on Genealogy, a non-fiction piece for my UBC application. Well, actually not working on it, but procrastinating by doing my day job. Rather busy, there, these days. But I am pretty sure that I finished my cover letter.

I was hoping to finish Story is a State of Mind course before September and the Short Story Intensive starts. Well, I am half-way through it and I doubt that I will get to finish it before Monday. Need to get kids ready for school and did I mention my day job?

I still need to get another referee. I have a colleague from work and Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer who was my instructor in one of the UofT Creative Writing classes, but I cannot come up with one more!  And I need one more.

The Infinite Jest

Trying to read it. Oh, boy, to be able to write half as well as Foster Wallace. I can't even read it, let alone write like that.

Nicest Rejection Letter Ever...

I know I said that I would not post about any more rejection letters, but I this is just too nice to pass up!


"Dear Dr. Nowaczyk:

I am writing to you concerning your article # CMAJ-13-1184 entitled "Dr Bluebeard." which you submitted to the CMAJ.

Thank you for giving CMAJ the opportunity to review your work. The piece shows a lot of potential: there's some fine imagery and good dialogue. But overall, I thought it would benefit from more revising. In particular, I didn't think the fairy-tale-esque format at the start fit in with the contemporary short story-type ending. I also felt the scene where the mother appears was too abrupt (and not entirely credible) and the ending didn't feel earned to me (more details needed perhaps). I don't usually offer detailed feedback, but I do think you show talent. And though  I regret that we were unable to select this story for publication, I hope that we will be able to give you a favourable response on a future piece.

Sincerely yours,

Barbara Sibbald
Editor, News and Humanities, CMAJ"



With a rejection letter like that there is only one thing to do! Write!!!

Random House of Canada Fiction Contest.

It is finally on the SCS website: My story "Your Father's Heart" was a finalist in the Random House of Canada Fiction Contest. I certainly hope that the entries are not listed in the order of merit!

Enough sitting on my laurels. Back to the UBC application.

Today, a Rejection from Walrus.

The Walrus Magazine, that is. I sent them my story "Your Father's Heart" two weeks ago. I did not think that I will get it, but it was worth a try. At least I am moving up in the literary rejections. And one day, when I am published there, I will know I have arrived!

My Submission Sheet is looking very red these day. I really need to write something better. Soon.

This is going to be the last post about a rejected manuscript. I have a feeling that there are many, many more to come and I do not want my readership of zero (i.e., me) to get bored with it!