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Author Topic: How long pas the response time...  (Read 158 times)
Josh Covington
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« on: July 29, 2010, 04:23:14 AM »
How long past the response time should I wait before contacting an editor with a followup?

I ask because I noticed this morning that I'd submitted one story on June 8 to a magazine with a 1 month response time.  I haven't heard anything yet.  I would assume the 20 days after the response deadline is enough to justify a followup. 

Also, since it was an email query what is the protocol?  Do I forward the original email with comments such as "Good morning, I am following up on the below query."

Do I mention that they've passed their own deadline?  What should my letter say?  Does anyone have an example followup letter I could use as a template?

Okay, that was a lot of questions

(and thanks for all the help)
« Last Edit: July 29, 2010, 12:30:54 PM by Josh Covington » Logged
lizbeth
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« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2010, 12:21:13 PM »
When I follow up (which I admit I usually don't), I send an email saying:
Dear EDITOR NAME:
 Is it too early to follow up on my 1,234 word manuscript, MANUSCRIPT NAME, which I originally sent to you on DATE?   
I appreciate your time, I hope you enjoyed my story, and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
NAME

I don't think following up 20 days after the deadline has passed is unreasonable, but I would probably wait 30, but that's not written in stone...
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Josh Covington
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« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2010, 12:31:38 PM »
Thanks Liz.  That's a good looking template: short and to the point.
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ajcap
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« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2010, 02:32:06 PM »
Josh, I would go ahead with forwarding the original e-mail. That has all the pertinent info and you could add a very polite inquiry about the status of the story. Sometimes things do get shuffled around and missed. Let us know how they respond, for future reference. We'll use you as a guinea pig.  Cheesy
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Cheers, Amanda

If you don't have the confidence that underlies patience, then trim back on the magnitude of your ambition...
Jon Franklin, Writing for Story
lizbeth
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« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2010, 09:09:03 PM »
You're welcome Josh.
Amanda has a good point also.
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MaryR
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« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2010, 12:46:52 AM »
I vote for 30.  Editors live pressured lives and rarely do they leave mss unread because they're perfecting their putting skills or doing their nails!   Ezine editors often (usually) have a full time dayjob, too.  As to strategy, I always play the 'lost mss' card.  Saves face for all concerned.  'I sent you XXX on date but haven't heard back and knowing the cyber gremlins, I thought I'd better make sure you got it.  Let me know if you didn't get it and I'll resend. Thanks!   Or you do the snail mail, 'did the PO eat it?' version.  (And once, yep, it ate a sub to Asimov's!  They bought the resend). 

My main advice.  ALWAYS be polite.  You and the editor will be doing business for years ....unless you're obnoxious and piss him/her off.  Then you'll have to be Stephen King before you get any business done there.  Not a good idea to burn bridges in this business.  If you're not yet Stephen King, be polite.   It will pay you back in the end.  Publishing is a VERY small universe and everybody talks to each other.

Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor
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David
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« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2010, 12:58:21 PM »
how about when the article is published in the webzine and the check still isn't received? I emailed editor a week or two back and still no reply.

david
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lizbeth
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« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2010, 05:39:19 PM »
It may be that they mail their checks at certain time? The royalties as it were, I get from Wild Horse Press only come quarterly...
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MaryR
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« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2010, 11:59:53 PM »
Yeah, publishers want revisions yesterday, David, and the checks arrive next year!  I'm kidding, but often it's the next 'pay period' and that may be six weeks.  I'd query after two months.

Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor
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Josh Covington
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« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2010, 04:22:50 AM »
Alright, I sent my followup this morning, it reads:

Good morning Ms. Male,

I sent you the article ‘Mr. Covington, Tear Down That Garage Door’ on 8 June, but haven't heard back and knowing how spam filters like to eat my emails, I thought I'd better make sure you got it. 

In case it never arrived, I’ve attached the article for your convenience.

Regards,


Josh Covington
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ajcap
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« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2010, 01:37:05 PM »
Perfect tone, Josh. Short, to the point, polite, you've got it covered. I'm sure you'll hear something back soon.
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Cheers, Amanda

If you don't have the confidence that underlies patience, then trim back on the magnitude of your ambition...
Jon Franklin, Writing for Story
lizbeth
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« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2010, 04:46:31 PM »
Very well put, Josh.  Good luck and keep us posted!!
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MaryR
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« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2010, 08:29:29 PM »
Ditto the 'very nice'.   Smiley  Hopefully you'll hear back before too long....and positively!

Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor
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Brandon
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« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2010, 11:22:59 AM »
I just recently sent an email about a manuscript I sent about 6 weeks prior.  I said that I was just checking to see if they had gotten my manuscript and had a chance to see if they would be able to use it or not.  Believe it or not, they did not remember getting it, so I sent it again, and this time it was received.
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lizbeth
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« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2010, 12:37:19 PM »
Good luck Brandon!  Smiley
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