My First Nasty E-Mail

I know that if I eventually publish my novel I can look forward to nasty reviews and nasty e-mails from readers -- it's just a part of being a writer. It has nothing to do with me and more with whomever has reviewed the book or written the e-mail.

I always wondered if I'd be able to handle it, and then recently I got an e-mail at my job that gave me a taste of what I can look forward to.

In seeking travel agent comments on the new mega ship, the Norwegian Epic, I sent out several "cold" e-mails to travel agents I don't know.

This was the e-mail I sent (names of people and the publication have been erased):


Hello,

I am an editor with xx xx xx, a online trade publication targeted at travel agents. I'm working on an article about what travel agents are the most excited about re: the Norwegian Epic, and was hoping you could help me out. Are you or your clients looking forward to the July launch of the Epic? What one aspect of the ship are you most excited about and why?

Thanks for any input you can provide.


That evening I got the following response.

Sorry, your English is so poor, I could never believe anything you wrote.
Therefore, I have no comment for you.
Additionally, I request you remove me from your email list immediately.
Larry


I have to say I was so shocked when I first got it. My immediate impulse was to hit reply and let off a string of profanity. My second impulse was to begin a negative media campaign against his travel agency. But eventually I calmed down and decided I could be the professional in this case and take the higher road. I simply deleted the e-mail and will never contact this agent again.

Of course if anyone ever asks me if I've ever heard of his agency, I'll let them know a very rude man named Larry works there, and to avoid him at all costs.

But the point is, I got over my immediate shock. I realized his e-mail had nothing to do with me or my writing and I moved on.

If I ever get my novel published, I believe I'll be able to handle most of the negative comments that come my way.