To the Managing Editor:
I am sending this story to you to be published.
The main idea in my story -well, there really isn't a main climax. After reading many of Beverly Cleary's books, I have tried to use the same technique, which is to write chapters that are like several small stories, with many things happening.
You will meet lots of characters in this book and I hope to make a series out of these same characters. The series would be called the "Mark Steven Wilson Series". This current story is based on Christmas in a small neighborhood.
I am twelve years old, almost thirteen, in the sixth grade at the Middle School in Wenham, Massachusetts. I have been interested in writing for several years. I have always wanted
to write a book abol1t all my friends. The names of all the characters in this book have been changed, with the exception of my own name and members of my family.
Several people have read this book and seem to have enjoyed i t. I believe that this book will be the start for writing many books in the future and I am hoping that you will find it possible to publish it. Whether or not you do, I shall continue to write future books. My goal is to some day become a famous author.
Sincerely yours
Mark Steven Wilson
Sent Story & Letter 8/20/84 to Highlights for Children 2300 W. Fifth Ave P.O. Box 269 Columbus, Ohio 43216
CHILDREN'S ART FOUNDATION Post Office Box 83 Santa Cruz, California 95063, U.S.A.
Telephone (408) 426-5557
Dear Mark Wilson
Thank you very much for sending us your work . It is taking us longer than we expected to decide whether or not we will use it in Stone Soup, and we just wanted to let you we haven't forgotten you.
Please let us know if you need your work
returned now. If not, we will return it as soon as we can.
Sincerely,
(MS). Gerry Mandel
Co-Editor, Stone Soup
CHILDREN'S ART FOUNDATION Post Office Box 83 Santa Cruz, California 95063, U.S.A. Telephone (408) 426-5557
June 8, 1984
Mark Wilson P.O. Box 624 Wenham, MA 01984
Dear Mark Wilson :
I’m sorry it’s taking us so long to reach our decision on “Christmas Time Around the Neighborhood.” We are considering your story for our September issue, but final decisions won’t be made until mid-July. Obviously, we like your story a lot, but we still can’t tell you whether or not we will use it in Stone Soup.
Sincerely,
(MS. Gerry Mandel
Co-Editor, Stone Soup
Mark s. Wilson P.O. Box 624 Wenham, MA 01984
Dear Mark:
Thank you for waiting so long to hear our decision on 'Christmas Time Around the Neighborhood.’ We think your story is very well written, but after much consideration we have decided not to use it in Stone Soup.
Please don't be discouraged. We receive many more good stories
than we can use, and sometimes difficult choices must be made. "
Keep writing, and send us more of your work if you like.
Yours sincerely,
Gerry Mandel
Co-Editor, Stone Soup
Highlights for Children Founded in 1946 by Garry Cleveland Myers, Ph.D., and Caroline Clark Myers 803 Church Street Honesdale Pennsylvania 18431 (717)253-1080
Editor-in-Chief Walter B Barbe Ph D Associate Editors Elizabeth Myers Brown Constance McAllister Editor Kent L. Brown Jr. Science Editor JacK Myers. Ph.D. Art Director John R. Crane
Dear Author:
Thank you for having shared your manuscript with us. When you send a manuscript to HIGHLIGHTS, you compete with hundreds of other authors. You win this competition When your piece seems to be the best for our present needs.
All editors have preferences. Our wisdom and judgment are limited. What we reject here may be eagerly accepted else Where. Many a noted writer has climbed to success on step~ built with early rejection slips. Don't get discouraged!
We are returning your manuscript because:
It does not win in competition with others available. -
Its language or concepts are too mature for our audience. -
Its age-range appeal is not wide enough.
We prefer a story that the 8- to 12-year-old will eagerly read and that the 3- to 7-year-old will enjoy hearing read aloud.
We do not believe your subject appeals strongly to many of our readers.
We do not publish serials, continued stories, or plays.
It has too much narration or description.
It lacks a strong plot.
We avoid stories involving war. crime, or violence.
We have on hand or have published a similar piece.
Its length precludes consideration. Our maximum is 900 words.
It involves stereotyped roles.
We seldom buy verse .
It is not suited to our present needs.
You clearly have chosen the wrong market.
We do not publish material that requires a reader to mark on our pages.
Enclosed are informal reactions to your manuscript. We hope you find them useful.
Sincerely.
The Editors
Office use:
Editorial requirements Issue
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