how do you reply to an acceptance

thebloodfiend · Sep 30, 2011

I just got an okay from an editor that they'd like to publish my short story. They're a pretty good magazine (Ned Vizzini wrote them a while back), so I'm squeeing in my head right now. But what is the appropriate way to reply back and say that I accept?

(if this is the wrong forum, please move this)

Polenth · Sep 30, 2011

In my head, I reply: Yay!!!! *bounce bounce bounce* Yay! :hooray:

What I actually send is something on the lines of thank you for accepting my story. Then respond to anything they've said (if they say they'll send edits and a contract, I say I'll await their arrival... if they send me terms, I say if I agree to them or not, etc). I restrict myself to one exclamation mark and no yays.

I use however they've chosen to address me as a guide for how to address them.

I suspect some authors are more chatty, but I keep it very formal and to the point (even if I know the editor). Apart from the occasional exclamation mark.

Captcha · Sep 30, 2011

You can usually pull some phrase from their acceptance and echo it back... like if they said, "We are interested in publishing X, if it's still available," you would respond with "X is still available; I look forward to working with you."

But if there's nothing like that, you could try: "Thank you for your interest in X. I am a great admirer of your magazine and look forward to working with you. I will review your contract as soon as it is received. Thanks again for your interest,"

Or if they sent the contract with the acceptance, you can just send your signed copy back as a way of showing your approval. If you snail-mail the contract, you can send them an e-mail saying "I have signed the contract for X and it is on its way to you. Thanks for your interest in my story; I look forward to working with you."

thebloodfiend · Sep 30, 2011

Awesome advice guys. thanks

I am usually not very chatty at all when it comes to email. I didn't want to freak and something ultimately stupid.

Polenth · Sep 30, 2011

thebloodfiend said:
Awesome advice guys. thanks

I am usually not very chatty at all when it comes to email. I didn't want to freak and something ultimately stupid.

As long as you don't write "I am a fish" twenty time, I'm sure it'll be fine.

areteus · Oct 1, 2011

Dunno... that may get published by some magazines

Ah, I love Rimmer... a great character.

I usually reply to confirm the acceptance but keep it short and polite and to the point. It's mainly so that they do not think their e-mail has gone astray and that you got the message and are not sitting there thinking 'it's been rejected, better sub it elsewhere'.

Jamesaritchie · Oct 1, 2011

I usually say something like, "Received your acceptance e-mail, and the terms are fine. Thanks."

goldmund · Oct 1, 2011

I usually write in response: "You can take it, just stop pestering me, you amusing halfling."

jaksen · Oct 1, 2011

Thank you!

Do I get the cover art (again)?

I am really very bashful.

johnnysannie · Oct 2, 2011

Jamesaritchie said:
I usually say something like, "Received your acceptance e-mail, and the terms are fine. Thanks."

Simple is good - I say something similar or at most "I'm delighted to accept your offer of publication and accept terms with thanks."

Nonny · Oct 2, 2011

It depends on the tone of the acceptance. If they're formal, I'm formal. I've also received some fairly casually worded acceptances, and I reply to those more casually.

areteus · Oct 2, 2011

Dear Sir,

I am afraid that it is with great regret that I must hereby formally reject your offer of rejecting my manuscript. I shall be in contact soon with regards to when you are going to publish said manuscript.

thebloodfiend · Oct 2, 2011

In the end, I decided on this:

Hi Jim,

Thank you for your interest in Fireflies. It is still available and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Cory

Which is much more mature than what I originally planned:

OMG. This is the BEST fucking thing that's happened to me ALL DAY. WHEN CAN YOU PUBLISH THE REST OF MY STORIES!!!!!!!!!!!

Lady MacBeth · Oct 2, 2011

thebloodfiend said:
In the end, I decided on this:

Which is much more mature than what I originally planned:

Congratulations on your story!

thebloodfiend · Oct 2, 2011

Lady MacBeth said:
Congratulations on your story!

Thank you!

areteus · Oct 2, 2011

I prefer the second one. Thousands wouldn't but the day I am an editor in that position, I assure you the second answer would make me glow with pride

thebloodfiend · Oct 2, 2011

areteus said:
I prefer the second one. Thousands wouldn't but the day I am an editor in that position, I assure you the second answer would make me glow with pride

Same here. But I have to show a little maturity. Just a little.

Rufus Leeking · Oct 2, 2011

congratulations

Alwaysinspired · Oct 2, 2011

Congratulations

I liked your second reply, but can understand why you didn't send it. Yes, unfortunately we have to remain professional at all times.

Pemako · Nov 6, 2011

OK, REALLY dumb question. I just started submitting stories recently, and I have one acceptance (yay). This was a story submitted through Heypublisher, and when I tried to reply it didn't work. I assumed it was OK to let things ride. The note I received through Heypublisher said something along the lines of "we will let you know when this story is scheduled for publication". This was about three months ago - does this seem normal? Do I need to do anything? (This is a SFWA-qualifying publication, so presumably very professional).

Chris P · Nov 6, 2011

Bloodfiend: Congrats! And I think the reply you sent was fine. I usually include something like "please let me know what you need from me next," as some send the contract with the acceptance, and others send it later or provide a list of suggested changes at a later time.

Pemako: Congrats! The wait time varies depending on the outlet. For the few stories I've had published, it's been anywhere from a few weeks (online journal) to 7 months (print and online journal) between acceptance and when it appears. I have one coming out the first week of December, and it was accepted back in late April. I've only corresponded with the publisher twice in the interim, once for the contract and once when they sent an update confirming the publication date.

Pemako · Nov 6, 2011

Oh, thank you, Chris P! Sounds as if I should be OK just waiting for the contract. Whew - that's a relief.

Niiicola · Feb 24, 2012

OMG. This is the BEST fucking thing that's happened to me ALL DAY. WHEN CAN YOU PUBLISH THE REST OF MY STORIES!!!!!!!!!!!

Mine yesterday was going to be "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!" but I refrained.

Also, belated congratulations!

Brickcommajason · Feb 24, 2012

+1 on congratulations.

Agree with the advice to reflect the tone and substance of the acceptance.

Don't overthink it. They've already decided to buy your work. It's hard to screw it up at this point.

Carradee · Feb 24, 2012

Pemako said:
Oh, thank you, Chris P! Sounds as if I should be OK just waiting for the contract. Whew - that's a relief.

Personally, if I don't hear anything in 3–6 months, I send a note to make sure an e-mail hasn't gotten astray—which happens often enough that I'm careful to follow up with folks.

…Actually, now that I think of it, I've had a disproportionate number of my check-in notes result in acceptance letters.

Exception: if I'm told there will be some months' delay, I don't check in until after that expected delay time + 1–3 months.

On the reply end, I give a polite, brief, response, but I'm careful to avoid sounding too excited, which means I also refrain from replying immediately. What if I want to negotiate some of the terms? No need to give them an idea of how much bargaining power they have.

But then, between my fiction and non-fiction writing, I've quickly gotten comfortable walking from contracts.

how do you reply to an acceptance

thebloodfiend

Cory

Polenth

Mushroom

Captcha

thebloodfiend

Cory

Polenth

Mushroom

areteus

Jamesaritchie

goldmund

---

jaksen

Caped Codder

johnnysannie

Nonny

Serve no master but your ambition

areteus

thebloodfiend

Cory

Lady MacBeth

Out, damn'd spot! out, I say.

thebloodfiend

Cory

areteus

thebloodfiend

Cory

Rufus Leeking

Alwaysinspired

Pemako

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Pemako

Niiicola

Twitchy

Brickcommajason

Carradee

practical experience, FTW