Accepted. Next steps.

Raphee · Mar 14, 2012

I submitted my first short story last year. Today I received an acceptance from a major lit magazine that is ranked amongst the "Extremely Challenging Markets" on Duotrope.

I am writing to them that I await their contract etc.

But do I wait till I receive and sign the contract before I tell the other magazines I submitted to. Or am I supposed to let them know right away.
What if something goes wrong during contract signing, or something else with the magazine that accepted my piece.
Not that I wouldn't accept their contract. This is my first publication. Still.

PS: Man, my mind isn't working right now. I thought I'd never be published by the big guys.

Raphee · Mar 14, 2012

Just like to add, do I tell the other journals, from which I have to withdraw my short, the name of the magazine that has accepted me? Or is that to be kept secret till I sign the contract?

Buffysquirrel · Mar 15, 2012

There's no need to tell the other markets who's bought your story. They don't care, tbh. Just let them know you're withdrawing it from consideration.

If they're markets that don't accept simultaneous submissions, it's best not to tell them the story's been accepted elsewhere. They'll probably know anyway, but they won't have proof.

Raphee · Mar 15, 2012

Raphee said:
But do I wait till I receive and sign the contract before I tell the other magazines I submitted to. Or am I supposed to let them know right away.
What if something goes wrong during contract signing, or something else with the magazine that accepted my piece.

Thanks Buffy, but do I tell right now before even getting the contract.

Rufus Leeking · Mar 15, 2012

Raphee said:
Thanks Buffy, but do I tell right now before even getting the contract.

I've never been in "the bigs," but where I have been published I got the contract in a day or so of telling them I accept their acceptance. Do you expect it will take a while from this magazine?

Raphee · Mar 15, 2012

Rufus, they are sending the contract via post, and since I live abroad it will take some time, I think.

I am feeling embarrassed now to have used the word 'big', and any other attendant bragging. But I was so excited I wasn't thinking.

squeaky pram · Mar 15, 2012

First, congratulations!!!!! Don't worry about bragging. I'd sing it from the rooftops.

Anyway, I'd contact the others straight away. The thing that angers editors is having to spend valuable time considering a story that has been accepted elsewhere. The sooner you let them off the hook the happier they'll be. If the journal in question has accepted your story then they have accepted your story. They wouldn't tell you this unless they fully intended to publish it.

Well done. Can't say I didn't have a twinge of jealousy, but I'm over it now.

Rufus Leeking · Mar 15, 2012

Raphee said:
Rufus, they are sending the contract via post, and since I live abroad it will take some time, I think.

I am feeling embarrassed now to have used the word 'big', and any other attendant bragging. But I was so excited I wasn't thinking.

i wouldn't feel embarrassed, and you shouldn't. I just meant that I didn't know if they did stuff differently. mine have always come by email as an example.

Buffysquirrel · Mar 15, 2012

Raphee said:
Thanks Buffy, but do I tell right now before even getting the contract.

Well, I would. It can take a long time to get the contract.

MeretSeger · Mar 15, 2012

Bragging?! This is good news! Good news for one writer is good news for all! Congratulations! A first sale is a big deal. Withdraw without explanation, send the contract back as soon as you get it (and it will be fine.)

Take a deep breath and bask. And keep submitting.

eta: and find out how they pay. When I made my first sale, I was asked out of the blue for my paypal account. Not having a paypal account, I had to create one, and it took several days of stress to get it set up. So just having a paypal account is a good idea.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 15, 2012

I'd tell the other mags immediately, and if you sold this story to a prestigious magazine, absolutely tell the other editors who bought. Editors do care, and that kind of credit makes a serious impression, the kind that will make other editors look at future submissions in a different light.

Anyway, tell the other editors immediately. You don't want those editor spending time on your story, and more time trying to decide when they'll have a slot for it if they like it, when there's no chance of them actually getting it.

Raphee · Mar 15, 2012

Thanks all of you. I am relieved. This is going to be my first published piece, and I guess the jitters are getting to me.
And thanks for all the good wishes.
I'm writing to the others straight away,

sparnols · Mar 15, 2012

Just dropped by to say congrats!

gettingby · Mar 15, 2012

Congratulations! I am very excited for you.

Cathy C · Mar 15, 2012

Congrats! I agree with the others on contacting the other markets.

Did the editor actually tell you there would BE a contract? I ask because not all magazines have a written agreement. A good number of them operate just on emails.

If there is one, nifty. If not, let us know and we'll give you a list of the questions you should ask to make sure you're both on the same page as far as the deal.

Buffysquirrel · Mar 15, 2012

Hmm, I can't say I've ever cared much about who bought a story that had been submitted to me. Probably doing it wrong, as usual. Or simply not working in a prestigious enough market myself.

Mad Rabbits · Mar 15, 2012

Congratulations!

Raphee · Mar 15, 2012

Cathy C said:
Congrats! I agree with the others on contacting the other markets.

Did the editor actually tell you there would BE a contract? I ask because not all magazines have a written agreement. A good number of them operate just on emails.

If there is one, nifty. If not, let us know and we'll give you a list of the questions you should ask to make sure you're both on the same page as far as the deal.

Thanks Cathy for the congratulations.

Yes, I am being sent a contract via postal mail. I've been asked to provide my address for the purpose. So is everything ok?

Raphee · Mar 15, 2012

Thank you sparnols, gettingby, madrabbit and Cathy. I feel as if I am a writer...finally. Its so good to know others are part of my happiness.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 16, 2012

Buffysquirrel said:
Hmm, I can't say I've ever cared much about who bought a story that had been submitted to me. Probably doing it wrong, as usual. Or simply not working in a prestigious enough market myself.

It's for the same reason you list two or three of your best credits in a cover letter when submitting a story. A sale to a top magazine does make most editors give a story more attention.

More, at many magazines, such sales can get a story past first readers, and straight to the top editor.

If, for example, I know a writer has sold to The New Yorker, I'm going to tell the first reader to pass his stories straight to me, and I'm moving that story to the top of the read pile.

Cathy C · Mar 16, 2012

Raphee said:
Thanks Cathy for the congratulations.

Yes, I am being sent a contract via postal mail. I've been asked to provide my address for the purpose. So is everything ok?

So long as you're happy with what they offer, it's all good, Raphee. Good luck and do let us know which mag and what issue when you know so we can pick up a copy!

Ozfizium · Mar 16, 2012

Grats! May I ask where the story is being published? Or is that rude or inconsiderate of the magazine?

Anyways, awesome possum all the way. Celebrate.

Raphee · Mar 16, 2012

Cathy C said:
So long as you're happy with what they offer, it's all good, Raphee. Good luck and do let us know which mag and what issue when you know so we can pick up a copy!

Thank you Cathy. Will let you know. I'd love you to read my story.

Raphee · Mar 16, 2012

Ozfizium said:
Grats! May I ask where the story is being published? Or is that rude or inconsiderate of the magazine?

Anyways, awesome possum all the way. Celebrate.

Hi thanks Oz. I really do't know the protocol surrounding publication of shorts, and if I should name the mag without signing the contract.
Oh and I've been celebrating eversince this came in.

LaneHeymont · Mar 17, 2012

Raphee said:
Hi thanks Oz. I really do't know the protocol surrounding publication of shorts, and if I should name the mag without signing the contract.
Oh and I've been celebrating eversince this came in.

Congrats! Let us know when it's published! :hooray:

Accepted. Next steps.

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