In Search of. . .

In Search of. . . The Great American Acceptance Letter

Today I will compose my first acceptance letter; it will coincidentally be the first acceptance letter for a newly published author who's work I have selected for publication in May's issue.

For an American literary fiction writer, no doubt the most coveted acceptance letter would read. . .

The Pulitzer Prize

2006

—FICTION—

FOR DISTINGUISHED FICTION BY AN American author,
preferably dealing with American life, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000)
Awarded to "March" by Geraldine Brooks
(Viking)

...

To date, the closest I've come to a Pulitzer moment, are my two consecutive Writer's Digest wins. Both acceptance letters, written by Kristin D. Godsey, Editor of Writer's Digest, were warm and enthusiastic. My favorite sentence in the first acceptance letter reads as follows. . .

...

Your success in the face of such formidable competition speaks highly of your writing talent, and should be a source of great pride as you continue your writing career.

...

In her second letter to me, the following year, once again she focused on the enormous odds facing the writers who enter the Writer's Digest's annual contest. . .

,,,

The first-round judge, had a very difficult time narrowing her selection to 25 top entries from over 8000 entries. Finishing among those top 25 entries is an accomplishment of which you can be proud.

...

Although the writer's I will be selecting for publication will not be facing the same level of formidable competition, I want the acceptance letter I compose to be no less enthusiastic and complimentary.

...

I'm off to search my files for other stellar acceptance letters from which I can draw inspiration, and I welcome any and all suggestions and sharing of other writer's proud Pulitzer-like moments that were fostered via a particularly well written acceptance letter.

...

Back on Monday to post my Great American Acceptance Letter!