Disaster or Business as Usual? (submission delay at P.O. box)

JackinElgin · Nov 2, 2009

I got a request for a full through a publisher and I sent it promptly in a nice document mailer (from staples… you know the one?) to the PO Box provided first class.
Being the responsible adult that I am I paid for delivery confirmation, and when I checked it this evening the USPS said that they had Attempted to deliver the package to the Box and a note was left and that after 15 days it would be returned to me.
Is this a disaster? Should I call the publisher? Should I drive to New York wearing a diaper and a bag full of knives to deliver the M.S. personally?
Or is this normal?
The Publisher seemed to be excited when they requested so I don’t want to screw this up.

BrooklynLee · Nov 2, 2009

Do you have an email address for your contact at the publisher? If so, I don't see a problem with sending an email saying what you said here.

stuckupmyownera · Nov 3, 2009

BrooklynLee said:
Do you have an email address for your contact at the publisher? If so, I don't see a problem with sending an email saying what you said here.

(Might want to leave out the bit about the diaper and the knives though...)

dpaterso · Nov 3, 2009

I thought a P.O. box was physical slot in a local post office, which the box owner collects their mail from? I'm wondering how the postal service couldn't leave mail there.

Anyways, they left a note -- won't the publisher see this, and collect the package from the postal service?

-Derek

Lost World · Nov 3, 2009

Maybe it didn't fit in their PO Box. You'd think a publisher would have a big one to accept big mailing envelopes like yours, but maybe they're cheap and got a small one. I'm sure they'll come calling for it, and if they don't and it's returned then I'd try to contact them some other way.

RJK · Nov 4, 2009

I'd send an email telling the agent that you received delivery confirmation that the MS is at her PO Box and is waiting for her pick up. Hopefully, she will see this as a favor.

ishtar'sgate · Nov 4, 2009

dpaterso said:
I thought a P.O. box was physical slot in a local post office, which the box owner collects their mail from? I'm wondering how the postal service couldn't leave mail there.

Anyways, they left a note -- won't the publisher see this, and collect the package from the postal service?

-Derek

When sending mail to a PO box it slows things down to ask for delivery confirmation. They are required to get a signature from someone in the publishing company before releasing the package. When you have a physical address then it works fine because they deliver it by hand to the receptionist who will sign for the package. I'd certainly email the publisher to let them know what happened. And - best of luck for a sale!

CACTUSWENDY · Nov 4, 2009

If you sent it with the publisher having to sign for it that may be the problem. Most pub/agents do not sign for stuff. If you just asked to be notified when it got to the box then that is another story. Many sites tell you not to ask for registered mail, as they don't have to time to do it.

I would send an e-mail and let the person know how you sent it and what your reply was.

Good luck.

JackinElgin · Nov 4, 2009

Checked the USPS website, the package was listed as "Delivered." So now I guess its in the Ed Directors hands... or closer to.

Now my M.S. can be rejected on its merit (or lack of merit)

Stijn Hommes · Nov 5, 2009

Next time, don't ask for confirmation. That means the deliverer can leave it at the post office where the boxes are located.

Disaster or Business as Usual? (submission delay at P.O. box)

JackinElgin

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BrooklynLee

Got the hang of it, here

stuckupmyownera

Mostly lurking

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Lost World

He'll NEVER fit in!

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

CACTUSWENDY

An old, sappy, and happy one.

JackinElgin

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Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...