Subscribe to RSS 2.0Quick parts
One small tool I use to improve my efficiency is Quick Parts in my mail program, Outlook. At the click of a button, pre-written and formatted text can be inserted into an email. It works great for the sorts of emails I have to send lots of. I thought you might be interested - and slightly horrified - to see some of the Quick Parts I use.
Here's the text I send to agents who have submitted a manuscript that we reject:
"Hello
Many thanks indeed for thinking of us with this one. I’m afraid it doesn’t quite work for me, but sincere thanks for letting me read it and look forward to keeping in touch.
All the best,
Emma"
And here's the rejection note I send out to authors:
"Hi there
Many thanks for the submission. I’m afraid it’s not one for us, but very best of luck with your writing.
All the very best,
Emma"
Here's the one I use most frequently:
"Hi Team 2 – please can you process the following gratis order? Many thanks, Emma"
Here's a couple I use at least twice a day each:
"Hi there
Thanks for your enquiry. You don't need to query Snowbooks; just follow the instructions at www.snowbooks.com/submissions.html.
Many thanks, Emma"
"Thanks for the email. So sorry, but we have no plans to hire or run work experience programmes at any time in the next few years. Sincere thanks for the very kind words, though, and all the best of luck with things,
Emma"
Are you appalled at me for having such stock answers to people's heartfelt queries - especially authors and hopeful job applicants? Should I hand craft a tailored response to each, in your view? I'm not going to change how I work but it would be interesting to see if you're shocked at me or not.
Comments: 4
I would be very happy to receive one of those answers, and personally I'd prefer you to be using that saved time to do something that contributes more directly to the business.
I never expected any extra time from publishers - if they did like my manuscript and commented on it, that was always a bonus. Unless you feel moved to add an extra line for some reason or another, I don't see that you have an ethical responsibility to. Although others may disagree!
Posted by: fiona robyn on February 27, 2009 08:54 AM
My only suggestion is that you could add a link to your rejection email which refers people to the open rejection letter I once read somewhere on your website: it would perhaps soften the blow, and give the rejected writer something to do instead of fuming or getting all upset. Just a thought.
Posted by: Jane Smith on February 27, 2009 02:02 PM
Now I'm wondering if you sent me a stock answer last time we exchanged emails. If so, I'm impressed by their range!
Posted by: RobC on February 27, 2009 03:06 PM
I know this QuickParts functionality as macro, and it's terribly useful for people who write the same kinds of correspondence over and over in Word.
Fiona, I half agree with you - I am baffled by writers who are negative about friendly form rejection letters, it's not personal! - but when I've submitted to a market that I am SO SURE would be right for the story, I can't help feeling a little sense of "you must be blind, you fools!" before I say to myself "well, at least they responded" and moving on.
Posted by: KatharineC on March 3, 2009 01:22 PM