it was during the pirate party that i met a guy who knew a guy in his writing group who submitted to space squid. now, all slush at space squid goes through me, but according to this account, the rejection i sent the rejectee gave him the courage to seek a job as a writer at a local newspaper. he is now happily employed.

i remembered the story (which is somewhat unusual) and i went back to find what it was i said to inspire him to greater ambition. most of it is exactly what i’ve said hundreds of times before. here’s the new bit:

"if you have any other material with as much grim humor, we would be thrilled to read it."

i expect everyone else i’ve rejected has spiralled into despair and anguish.