Is it ok to call a publisher if...

Silverhand · Dec 21, 2005

I submitted my manuscript to a small publisher in my home state 2 weeks ago via an email. (An email submission is the only way they accept) However, I just recieved a return email stating that the addy I sent to was having problems, and that I should resend the documents.

So, my question is: should I resend the documents? (Which if I am wrong, will get me immediately canned) Or, should I call them to find out of they recieved my email? (Which I have heard will also get me canned?) Or, should I just wait it out for a few more weeks?

arainsb123 · Dec 21, 2005

Well, since they instructed you to resend the documents, I'm not sure what the problem here is.

JerseyGirl1962 · Dec 21, 2005

Just my opinion, but if you received an email saying the addy you sent to was having problems, and that you should resend your documents, I don't see where the publisher would be angry at you.

Re-send the documents, stating you rec'd an email telling you to re-send, or send a polite email asking if they received your email on such-and-such date, with the name of your story, etc. From stuff I've read here and elsewhere, I can't see the harm either way.

I think a phone call is a last resort. Again, just my opinion.

Good luck!

~Nancy

scribbler1382 · Dec 21, 2005

What JerseyGirl said. And to be honest, if an email resend is enough for a publisher not to look at your work, tell them to piss up a rope and go elsewhere.

CampCreek · Dec 21, 2005

I'd send it again with a short note at the top telling what happened. I wouldn't send an email asking if they received it already because that would make more work for them ~ they'd have to check that they got it and get back to you. That might set you up for not getting a reply because they're busy, so you miss out on submitting.

IMHO, writers should make it as easy as we can, within reason, on agents and publishers. They're incredibly busy. Resending with the note will cut down on some effort and time for them ~ it'll let them know that if they see that you've sent this twice, just disregard one. They won't have to spend any more time on it.

Bufty · Dec 21, 2005

As requested in your e-mail dated xxxxx I re-send .....

Cathy C · Dec 21, 2005

Pretty much what Bufty said.

Address the email to whoever signed the one you received (since a name -- if there was one -- generally shows that you really DID get something. If it was just an auto-responder message, then state that too).

"Pursuant to your e-mail (or auto-response) of XXX, enclosed please find my..."

But no, I wouldn't call or send a separate e-mail. Requesting a personal touch at this stage is a bit too much.

jules · Dec 21, 2005

I'm not (yet) an expert in dealing with editors, but I don't think it would be out of the question to add a note to your resubmission along the lines of:

As I understand you have been having trouble receiving e-mails lately, I would appreciate confirmation that you have received this submission correctly.

Silverhand · Dec 22, 2005

I should have clarified this better. The resend email was from my browser, not from the publisher.

Aconite · Dec 22, 2005

Silverhand said:
I should have clarified this better. The resend email was from my browser, not from the publisher.

Browser? That sounds odd to me, but I am not a technology expert.

In your subject line, put "Resend: [title]."* In the body of your e-mail, just state that you're resending your material because you received a message that there were probelms with your first try. I can't see any publisher getting upset about that.

*Unless, of course, submission guidelines specify a particular format.

James D. Macdonald · Dec 22, 2005

I presume you're using the email functions in your browser (some browsers have email bundled in).

If the email program itself told you the thing wasn't sent, then it wasn't sent.

Check to make sure the address you were using was good.

jules · Dec 22, 2005

If there was a 2 week gap, the message ain't from your browser. Your submission must have been sitting somewhere for those 2 weeks in order for you to get the notification. It's either from your ISP's mail server, or from the publisher's mail server.

At this point, I think something strange is going on. Would you mind sharing the message you got back with us (if you still have it)? And perhaps the publisher's details? It could be you're using an out-of-date e-mail address, or something like that.

Is it ok to call a publisher if...

Silverhand

arainsb123

Learning!

JerseyGirl1962

I heart Malamutes! :-)

scribbler1382

Write For You, Edit For The Reader

CampCreek

Texestentialist

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

jules

Bored fanatic

Silverhand

Aconite

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

jules

Bored fanatic