Dear Diana,

As you know, I'm in the process of finalizing TAOR's table of contents. I'm at a point where the only decisions to be made are the most difficult ones. I received a lot of very good stories, but, as you know by now, the quality of a story alone does not guarantee its salability to a given market. I've said in the past, the planets pretty much have to align. The story must not only be excellent, it must out-do the competition, fitting the editor's needs to a tee. And if the story in question was penned by an unpublished writer, it must also be so strong that the potential gains of its publication far outweigh any potential risks.

Having considered these factors at length, it is with much regret that I must end your tenure as an unpublished writer and buy this undeniably excellent story. Man, are you ever going to be a pain in the ass now.

What? You weren't worried, were you?

Please don't kill me. I just... couldn't... resist.

That Rat Bastard. :) I had to read it three times before I was sure that it was an acceptance.

My first sale!

Still no word on the promotion at work though; they were still finishing up interviews today.