When To Talk To The Editor

[Provrb1810meggy]

(NOTE: I'm not sure if this would be better for the freelancing forum. If so, can someone please move it?)

Here's what's going on. I got a short story accepted at a national magazine. They were very responsive. Earlier, around August-September, they edited my story. They said in November they would contact me about proofs. Seeing as I have no experience, I'm unsure what to do, seeing as they haven't contacted me yet.

Should I wait until December before emailing them, or could I email them during November? I feel like the emaling in November thing would be a no no.

[pdr]

I'd wait until the last week in November and than contact the person who told you the proofs would arrive in November.

Meanwhile write some more short stories.

[Provrb1810meggy]

I reread the email and apparently, it only said they'd correct a few of the mistakes I caught during proofreading in Novemember, not that they'd send me proofs in November! Now I feel stupid.

Anyway, a quick question: Will they be contacting me at all, about anything, before or when it's published? After publication, will they tell me when the check is coming or will they just send it? Does it depend on each publication?

[Tish Davidson]

In my experience, the check and often a copy of the story simply show up in the mail. It's not rudeness. By the time the story is published, the editors are busy working on upcoming issues, plus in a big magazine, accounting generally sends the check, not the editor.

[Siddow]

Is the contract signed and delivered?
Are you expecting a contibutor's copy?
Does the contract state payment terms? Some pay on acceptance, some pay on publication, some pay at a certain period after publication. These are things you should have known before submitting (most will have these things in the guidelines).

If there's already a contract, then I'd say relax, wait for it to come out. If they don't send you your copy and check at that time, then contact.