The Baffler

Standard?

2021

Hey [first name],

Thanks for letting us review your story. We're passing, but please don't be discouraged. It was a pleasure to read and I wish you the best of luck in placing this elsewhere.

Best, JW McCormack

2021

Dear [first name],

Hey again, thanks so much for sending this our way, always a pleasure. I'm sorry to pass, but still enjoyed the read and wish you luck in placing it elsewhere.

Best, JW McCormack

Slightly Higher Tier?

2021

Dear [first name],

Thanks for letting us review "[title]." While we can't accept it, I found much to admire (including [story aspect]) and wish you luck in placing this elsewhere.

Best, JW McCormack

2021

Dear [first name],

Hey, thanks for being in touch. I found a lot to admire—truly!—in "[title]," though we can't accept it, and I wish you luck in placing it elsewhere. You've likely already seen some of what we've been doing on the fiction front, but you can always read work for print and web right here. Wishing you all the best.

JW McCormack

2023

Hey there,

Thanks for this. I'm very sorry to pass, but we just get so much and I'm kind of ridiculously selective because I anticipate what I can successfully make an argument for with the other eds, so even the work I admire doesn't always find a place. But of course I appreciate your being in touch and sharing stuff with me—best of luck placing this elsewhere and keep up the good work.

Best, JW McCormack

Higher Tier

2021

Dear [first name],

Thanks for letting us read "[title]." Though we can't accept it, I found it to be a strong piece of writing and I very much hope you can place it elsewhere [compliment]. As a reminder, and if you haven't done so already, I always invite you to read previously published work from the mag if you think it might prove useful to look at the particular variety of fiction I'm taking my cues from.

Best wishes, JW McCormack

Highest Tier

2022

Dear [first name],

Thanks very much for the story, [compliment]. I'm sorry to pass, but this is obviously fine work and I wish you luck in placing it elsewhere. Super cool [story aspect], by the way; I treasure the opportunity to read it.

Best, JW McCormack