Not sure what to do

seun · Aug 9, 2008

Any help appreciated on this one - I've had a couple of stories accepted by an online magazine. Their limit is 5,000 words. I emailed them ten days ago to ask if they would be interested in reading a 7,500 word story, figuring the worst result would be them telling me not to bother submitting.

I haven't had any reply at all. When I've emailed before, they've replied in a couple of days at most. Should I wait a bit longer, email again or just forget about this one because of its length?

Soccer Mom · Aug 9, 2008

Considering that this is the time of year when folks go on holiday or often take a break, I would give it a bit more time.

Maryn · Aug 9, 2008

I'd wait, for the reasons Soccer Mom said, but if I didn't hear anything by late August, I'd assume that to be a Not Interested and would not email again.

Maryn, whose short stories tend to run long, too

hammerklavier · Aug 9, 2008

Do they know that you've had stories accepted there before? Your name or email address may not have registered. I think you should have (if you didn't) sent your request is something like:

Dear editor, you have accepted <number> of my short stories for publication in the past. In perticular you said that <title> was <compliment>. I have another story I think you might like, the only problem is, it is 7500 words. I realize your guidelines limit submissions to 5000, but I thought I'd give it a try.

<follow with your query details>

....

roncouch · Aug 9, 2008

seun said:
Any help appreciated on this one - I've had a couple of stories accepted by an online magazine. Their limit is 5,000 words. I emailed them ten days ago to ask if they would be interested in reading a 7,500 word story, figuring the worst result would be them telling me not to bother submitting.

I haven't had any reply at all. When I've emailed before, they've replied in a couple of days at most. Should I wait a bit longer, email again or just forget about this one because of its length?

I'd give them the benefit of the doubt, and wait another week or so. It's possible someone was on vacation, etc.

Deccydiva · Aug 10, 2008

Is there any possibility that you could create a version 2 cut down to 5,000 words? In case they come back saying they won't consider anything substantially longer? Then at least you have something ready to go should that happen.
Just a thought!

I agree wait a while, this time of year is hopeless for getting hold of people.

seun · Aug 10, 2008

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty sure they know who I am (to sound very full of myself) as the site seems to be run by just a couple of people and it's always the same guy who replies to me.
Another week won't hurt.

seun · Aug 11, 2008

I just got this email. Looks like I've got some editing to do.

Firstly, sorry for the delay in getting back to you - I've been away
for a week, and our other editor thought he'd better leave this for me
to reply to.
Yes, I'm afraid we would prefer to keep our word counts nearer 5,000 -
and we have found that it is often (but not always!) the case that
longer pieces could use a thorough edit to keep the story tight and
flowing well. So if you did manage to get the count down to 6,000 or
below, we would certainly like to take a look. Alternatively, there
are markets that are happy to look at longer fiction... so I guess
it's a case of deciding whether you want to do more work on the story,
or send it out as it is! Whatever you decide, we'll be happy to see
more stories from you in the future.

Not sure what to do

seun

Horror Man

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Maryn

I Tried

hammerklavier

It was a dark and stormy night

roncouch

The Couchmeister

Deccydiva

Back from the dead

seun

Horror Man

seun

Horror Man