Rejection Collection - Northwest Review

Now, here's the kind I like to see. This one came in the mail today from Northwest Review for my story "Resting." The personal note says,"You're a good writer, but this story is too slow-moving. Les is a bit of a cipher as well. Thanks. Try again?" Now, I could be sensitive about the criticism here, but I have no doubt that it really was too slow-moving for them. Also, Les really is a bit of a cipher. The thing is that this is a rejection. The bad news is what it's all about. So, what I'm reading it for is the good news: acknowledgement of my ability and a bit of encouragement. If only all the rejections were this encouraging. I'll send them another story tomorrow.