The rejected writer said: “Quite simply, the negative outcome seems likely if submitting more, going by past record. Why go on the merry go round of rejection slips with the same publisher? There is a time to stop what one is doing once it is pointless.”

His friend replied: “So, this is the end of submitting to this publisher, then? Sad, but inevitable, I suppose. I hate break-ups, but they did give thirty-odd reasons to, read: rejection slips.”