Are you turned off by places that still call for submissions to come in the mail? Why is it that some places still require snail-mail submissions? Do those places get less submissions? And do you guys think they are more likely to read the whole story if it is actually printed out and in their hands.
So far, I have sent two stories out this way because I really wanted to try for those publications and there was no other way. But do you think eventually everyone will be on some online submissions system?
As a small literary magazine editor/publisher, I'll tell you why I did it for years - it tended to at least partially filter out unserious writers. If you are taking the time to mail the thing, and paying to mail it, there is frankly less crap that comes through. I'm not saying there isn't still a good amount that comes through, but less than on e-mail.
I think this is less true today than it was ten years ago, however, and I switched to accepting e-mail submission in the past four years. Via postal mail, I am starting to get more and more people who simply don't know how to use a computer, but imagine they are gifted by God to write. Of course...these usually come in large fonts, on colored paper, photocopied, or typewritten though. If I get computer printed pages, and I get them in the mail - chances are, it's a decent submission. Perhaps it won't make the cut, but it's at least decent.
Another reason I did not accept e-mail submissions for years is that I want to hold printed copies of the "first cut" - i.e., I reject about 70% of submissions outright, hold about 30%, and read that hold pile again and again until I've cut it down to a third or fourth. I much prefer to do that reading on hard copy than on a screen. But now I do it on screen. I still get a handful of mailed submissions, however. The advantage of e-mail is not having to go to the PO box or deal with all that paper taking up space and having to be recycled, or having to put replies in envelopes, etc. - so there are advantages to e-mail for editors too.
As an editor, though, I know I pay more attention to submissions I receive in the mail. I don't mean to, necessarily, but I know I do - because they are so much easier to read and re-read, and because someone made the effort.
As a writer - yeah, I'm cheap and lazy. I prefer e-mail submissions and won't bother with markets that only consider postal submissions unless I know the market well and believe I stand a chance.
