printed slip expressing regret that the manuscript is not acceptable and
encouraging him to submit something else. Some ingenious editors have
prepared a number of form letters to explain to contributors the various
reasons why their manuscripts are unacceptable. The editorial assistant
who rejects an unsuitable article indicates by number which of these
form letters is to be sent to the author. A few editors send a personal
letter to every contributor. Sometimes an editor in rejecting a
contribution will suggest some publication to which it might be
acceptable. If a manuscript has merit but is not entirely satisfactory,
he may suggest that it be revised and submitted to him again.

KEEPING A MANUSCRIPT RECORD. Every writer who intends to carry on his
work in a systematic manner should keep a manuscript record, to assist
him in marketing his articles to the best advantage. Either a book or a
card index may be used. The purpose of such a record is to show (1) the
length of time required by various publications to make a decision on
contributions; (2) the rate and the time of payment of each periodical;
(3) the present whereabouts of his manuscript and the periodicals to
which it has already been submitted.

It is important for a writer to know how soon he may expect a decision
on his contributions. If he has prepared an article that depends on
timeliness for its interest, he cannot afford to send it to an editor
who normally takes three or four weeks to make a decision. Another
publication to which his article is equally well adapted, he may find
from his manuscript record, accepts or rejects contributions within a
week or ten days. Naturally he will send his timely article to the
publication that makes the quickest decision. If that publication
rejects it, he will still have time enough to try it elsewhere. His
experience with different editors, as recorded in his manuscript record,