My editor at Famous Monsters Of Filmland just sent me this a few minutes ago. It was a submission letter that Stephen King at the tender age of 14 sent to the editor of Spacemen Magazine. The editor, Forrest Ackerman, at first rejected that story. Thirty-three years later, he ended up publishing it in FM, where I am a writer at now. Here is a copy of the letter. Even the great ones had to start somewhere. I’m so glad I saw this. Time to get back to writing!
The only thing on my mind at 14 was boys boys boys. I guess that’s what seperates normal from great. I wonder how much that piece of paper is worth. Love how he spelled “magizine.”
“Dear Stephen,
It’s not considered very professional to have a typo in your cover letter. At the very least, it makes us wonder how carefully you’ve edited the story you’ve sent us. Learn these basic lessons and you may yet have some future in the writing game….”
Tch. Is it any wonder we never heard from this guy again….