A story of extreme focus in goals and persistence in continuous improvement. Tom Toro, really wanted to get on the New Yorker, ending up submitting 610 drawings, even travelling around the country to meet with Bob Mankoff, the legendary cartoon editor of the New Yorker. His response, honest but hopeful: “I don’t see any joy in these. These aren’t ready yet.”, the important word being “yet”… :)

Also of note, the rejection letter that is sent by the magazine (full text mentioned in the comments):

“We regret that we are unable to use the enclosed material. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider it.”

Full read: How’d A Cartoonist Sell His First Drawing? It Only Took 610 Tries : NPR
h/t Christine DeGraff