February 17, 1988

Dear Mr. Adams:

Thank you very much for sending us your interesting feature, "Dilbert". We were impressed with the quality of the work and in your obvious credentials.

After carefully evaluating your material, however, we don't feel that we can successfully syndicate it at this time. This is no reflection on the quality of your work or of your ideas. Rather, it is our assessment of what will sell in today's newspaper market.

If you should develop another feature idea, we would be very interested in seeing it.

Wishing you the very best of luck, I am,

July 6, 1988

Dear Mr. Adams:

I apologize for the lengthy delay in responding to your submission. "Dilbert" arrived at about the same time as I began work at King Features. I liked "Dilbert" enough that I placed it in a small stack of submissions that I wanted to reply to personally. Unfortunately, it has taken me this long to settle into my job enough to have the time to respond to the better submissions we receive.

We are not going to syndicate "Dilbert," but I did want to write to encourage you in your career as a cartoonist. I am most impressed by the writing and sense of humor in "Dilbert." The art needs to be developed to an equal level. Your lettering should be larger and try to using all capital letters. The characters are well designed, but the finished art needs to be more polished.

Look at existing cartoon work that you like and experiment with different techniques and materials. Just drawing cartoons frequently is the best way to improve.

Again, sorry for the delay in getting back to you and please continue with your cartooning.

March 23, 1988

Dear Mr. Adams:

As you may recall, a while back you and I discussed the cartoons that you sent to my syndicate. Well, I've continued to think about your work- especially about the fact that you could benefit from working with a collaborator who may be more accomplished as an artist but whose sense of humor meshes with yours.

I've enclosed the work of three unsyndicated cartoonists whose work I like. They have in common with you a gift for the imaginative gag and the quiet punchline. You might like to look their work over.

I have no idea about whether or not they want to collaborate. But I do STRONGLY suggest that you contact them and let me know how your dealings with them go.

Good luck!

February 17, 1988

Dear Mr. Adams:

Thank you for submitting your feature which we are returning herewith.

Our editorial board considered the material, and it is their opinion that we could not successfully syndicate your feature at this time.

We appreciate your having thought of us.

Dear Contributor:

I regret that it is necessary for us to respond to your submission with an impersonal letter. However, the volume of materials being submitted exceeds our ability to write personal responses quickly.

I want to assure you that we have reviewed your feature submissions carefully. This rejection does not necessarily reflect on the editorial value of your work, but may be motivated by matters of scheduling and marketing.

Thank you for allowing Universal Press Syndicate to review your work. Again my apologies for the necessity of responding in this impersonal manner.

Best regards.