So..., what does that mean?

[macandal]

I got a postcard yesterday from Zyzzyva. I had submitted a story to them 6 months ago. I included the postcard instead of the usual envelope which, after reading many postings on submitting short stories, I will begin doing. That way I can get more detailed responses. Well the postcard left me wondering. It read:

"Nice to hear from you. It's about time!"

The editor was making allusion to something I wrote in my cover letter when I submitted my story. He had come to speak to my creative writing class when I first began writing 15 years ago! He came to our class to promote his (then) new journal and to ask us to send him stuff. Anyway, in the letter I mentioned this and how I hadn't felt ready to send him anything until now, 15 years later. After the comment above, he wrote something I have not been able to decipher (I would've posted it but I don't know how to add jpegs here). What does his message mean? Am I in or out? Should I send him a letter asking what the status of my story is? Should I be deducting something from his message in the postcard? If so, what? Thanks for your help. (I managed to attach the scanned word I can't figure out what it says. I hope you do.)

[awatkins]

The image isn't showing up on my screen.

[aka eraser]

I can't see anything in the attachment and unless those words can be deciphered, we can guess from now 'til doomsday and not know for sure.

I'd try to find an email addy for him and ask for clarification - maybe make a joke about him being a doctor in his off-hours because you couldn't read his handwriting.

[Greer]

It's hard to say without seeing the note -- however, unless you received a contract in the mail, or an email or phone call telling you they want the story, it's probably not an acceptance. Most lit. journals don't accept stories via handwritten scrawls on return postcards. Or was it one of those postcards some writers include as a sort of delivery confirmation? (Many editors dislike this, btw). Sometimes journals don't get around to sending those back for several months either, since most submissions go straight into the slush pile and any kind of delivery confirmation postcard will sit in the envelope until a reader/editor gets to it.

As for the handwritten note, possibly it's a request to see more of your work? I don't see why emailing about the status of your story wouldn't be fine in this case. Good luck.

[macandal]

I don't know why it is not showing! I used one of the accepted methods (jpg, bit, gif). I'll try it again whe I get a chance.

[macandal]

Or was it one of those postcards some writers include as a sort of delivery confirmation? (Many editors dislike this, btw). Sometimes journals don't get around to sending those back for several months either, since most submissions go straight into the slush pile and any kind of delivery confirmation postcard will sit in the envelope until a reader/editor gets to it. Yes it was one of those and no, I'm not ever using those again! It was my first time submitting a story. I know that should be no excuse but hey, what can I tell you. Is he just letting me know that he received it then? That he finally got around to reading it? Is this also what would've happened if I had included a SASE? I would have received a note saying we got your story and we are now reading it or do they hold on to the SASE until they make a decision and they let you know whether your story is accepted or not?

[alleycat]

I'd say pick up the phone and give him a call. Remind him who you are, thank him for his personal response and ask him for his honest opinion of your work. That should tell you what you need to know. Or, send a letter doing the same thing. That is not typical but then the situation is not typical either.

ac

[Greer]

Yes it was one of those and no, I'm not ever using those again! It was my first time submitting a story. I know that should be no excuse but hey, what can I tell you. Is he just letting me know that he received it then? That he finally got around to reading it? Is this also what would've happened if I had included a SASE? I would have received a note saying we got your story and we are now reading it or do they hold on to the SASE until they make a decision and they let you know whether your story is accepted or not?

Please read their submission guidelines: http://www.zyzzyva.org/zy-subs.htm

Please do not call a lit. journal editor about your unsolicited submission - EVER. (Unless they specifically invited you to call.) Email is usually acceptable; many times journals request you snail mail any follow-up queries or questions. Again, check the guidelines.

There is another thread on this board about including SASE's -- please, please always do it, especially if the journal requests it. An SASE would only be used for a final reply - an acceptance or rejection, not a progress report. I can only imagine that since you didn't enclose an SASE the editor is using the postcard as a rejection slip.

And I know you've said you'll never use a delivery-confirmation postcard again, but I'll reiterate it for others who might be reading this thread. Unless, for some reason, the journal requests it, please don't.

Good luck.

[macandal]

Greer, thanks for your reply. You know, I read the submission guidelines and it says right there, clearly, SASE required for a reply and I don't know what bug crawled up my butt that made me think, "You know what, I'll send a postcard instead." I followed all their guidelines except THAT ONE. I'm not going to call him (besides, I don't think there is a phone number listed), what would you suggest I do? The postcard doesn't suggest a rejection to me (but I don't know what the mystery word says). Thanks for all your (and everyone else's) help.

[Greer]

The submission guidelines state it is okay to email follow-up queries. I would do that.
Also, it just dawned on me the "mystery word" might be the editor's signature. Yes?

[macandal]

Thanks Greer I'll fire off a letter.

No, the mystery word if not his signature. It reads:

"nice to hear from you. it's about time!

MYSTERY WORD
Best--
Howard"

My scanner is down for the moment but as soon as I can I'll rescan the picture. Just watch, it's going to be something so simple that I'm going to look like a fool (that is, if people don't already think that).

[Greer]

No one thinks you're a fool. Congrats on the personal response. You're on the radar.

[macandal]

Ok. Here we go. I hope this time it works. I'm attempting to post the picture again. The mystery word is between "about time!" and "Best--". Thanks.

[Greer]

looks like 'onward' to me.

keep us posted with what happens.

[pconsidine]

Yeah. I got either "oh well" or "onward."

Either way, I think you're still waiting to hear something useful.

[chartreuse]

I work for an attorney with horrific handwriting, so I spend lots of time trying to decode scrawls like this. I vote for "onward."

Perhaps it's just his way of saying "keep trying?"

[maestrowork]

It says, "Onward"... so I think he means keep writing, keep submitting... keep it going.

[Jamesaritchie]

It says, "Onward"... so I think he means keep writing, keep submitting... keep it going.

Really? I wouldn't have read that as "onward" in a hundred years.

[paprikapink]

I think it says "Onwueno!"

That means, "send me another story, bro. and by the way, do you subscribe to this or any literary journal? it's only fair" in , um, uh, zyzzyvish. Yeah, that's it.

[reph]

Any votes for "Oy veh"?

[Maryn]

I, too worked for years as support staff for various attorneys and doctors whose handwriting was undecipherable. (I wasn't a favorite because they liked me, I suspect.) I'm positive it's "onward" and I agree with maestro's interpretation of how it's meant.

Maryn, contributing nothing original (but I learned to make Cracker Jack today! Come on by for a handful.)

[macandal]

I'm positive it's "onward" and I agree with maestro's interpretation of how it's meant.

You mean, my story was not accepted and I should not let this discourage me and continue writing?

[PeeDee]

Well, short of death, nothing should discourage you enough to stop you writing. And hell, even Mark Twain kept writing after the report of his death. ;)

[macandal]

Confirmed. DENIED!!!!!!!!!!!