The Journal

Prose Rejections

Standard

Thank you for submitting "[name]" to The Journal. We read every submission with care, and while we can only publish a small fraction of what we receive, the most exciting part of our job is reading such a wide variety of work. Though your manuscript does not suit our current needs, we wish you the best of luck placing it elsewhere.

Thanks again.

Sincerely, The Editors

Higher Tier

2026

Dear —,

Thank you for sending work our way. We sincerely apologize for the delayed response as our small, volunteer team has worked through submissions. It means a lot that you trusted us with your art, and while it wasn't the right fit for the current editors, we'd hope you consider submitting to us again in the future.

With gratitude for your art,

The Editors

Dear xxx,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript. We have read it with care and regret that we cannot use it. This submission stood out to us, so we hope you consider submitting again.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

The Editors

Dear xxx,

Even though we won't be publishing this piece, I wanted to let you know that we think highly of your work, [writer's first name].

Thanks for submitting. Try us again one day.

Sincerely,

Preston Witt

Fiction Editor

Dear XXX,

Thank you for submitting [Title] to The Journal. Though we decided against accepting your manuscript, we want you to know that we found it particularly compelling. We read every submission with care, and while we can only publish a small fraction of what we receive, the most exciting part of our job is reading such a wide variety of work. We would be glad to see more of your writing in the future.

Thanks again, [Fiction Editor's Name]

Poetry Rejections

Standard

Dear —,

Thank you for submitting "—" to The Journal. We read every submission with care, and while we can only publish a small fraction of what we receive, the most exciting part of our job is reading such a wide variety of work. Though your manuscript does not suit our current needs, we wish you the best of luck placing it elsewhere.

Thanks again, The Editors

http://thejournalmag.org

Higher Tier

Dear [Name],

Thank you for submitting [Titles of Poems] to The Journal. Though we decided against accepting your manuscript, we want you to know that we found it particularly compelling. We read every submission with care, and while we can only publish a small fraction of what we receive, the most exciting part of our job is reading such a wide variety of work. We would be glad to see more of your writing in the future.

Thanks again,

[Poetry Editor's Name]