(This is good news. Always good to hear from an editor with more positive editorial comment. I submitted “Lena’s Trip Home” to this publication.)

Dear John,

With regret I must inform you that we’re going to pass on your story. Your work was very close and passed through the first round of the acceptance process, making it a near miss. We strongly encourage you to submit to us again after September 1.

Best,

Timothy Gager