Glossy Magazine Response Times?

RainbowDragon · Jul 16, 2011

I sent out some queries with published writing samples in January and February for a few glossy magazines I'm hoping to work with. They say their response times are in the 3 month range.

Nothing.

Not from any of them. . .does this mean I'm in the maybe pile or that their response times are longer than they admit to?

Would sending a follow up do any good or do they often throw away SASEs in the hopes of discouraging future pitches?

Trying to boost my writing income but meeting with staunch silence. . .anyone have experience that might shed light?

Thanks for your help!

Skyraven · Jul 16, 2011

Hi Rainbow,

Sending a follow-up would get you a response. I just sent one last week and was told that the project (blogging) was put on hold because of a direction change. So, it does work. Just may not be the answer you'd like. Check out www.therenegadewriter.com for tips on writing a good follow-up.

Hope this helps.

denenewrites · Jul 16, 2011

Hi Rainbow Dragon,

I have had lots of experiences like this. I agree that you should send follow ups on these queries. I always say that too many writers leave potential assignments (and money) on the table by not following up!

I've actually gotten assignments because I followed up. I've also gotten some rejections as a result of following up, but at least then I could scratch it off the list and move on to another market.

I would follow up after about a month with big pubs. And if you don't hear back after two follow ups, move on. Don't sit on your great ideas waiting for a response that may never come.

One time I followed up with magazine A on a query and got a rejection. Right away I sent it to magazine B and got an immediate assignment! My first with a national glossy. I wrote for this editor several more times.

You mentioned a SASE in your post. Are you sending your queries by snail mail or email. I'd advise using email.

If you want to read an example of my follow up letter, here's a link: http://www.freelance-write-now.com/followingup.htm

Good luck moving forward.

RainbowDragon · Jul 16, 2011

Thanks for your responses,

Yes they were snail mail. Does trying to sleuth out and use an editor's e-mail address work or just serve to annoy?

I could follow up by snail almost as easily as e-mail. . .I'm leaning toward sticking with snail.

I think it's funny that ALL of my queries are getting the same silent treatment. . .blacklist anyone?

Thanks!

denenewrites · Jul 17, 2011

RainbowDragon,

I always use email. I would venture to say that most writers are using emails, at least the ones that I know about from other forums.

Don't look at following up as annoying editors. I pitched SELF magazine a long time ago and the editor I was emailing with back and forth actually thanked me for following up!! I didn't end up with the assignment, but I did get an answer. AND, this is a good way to build a relationship with editors. Yes, you can build on those rejections. Look out for "nice" rejections. Sometimes an editor can't use your idea but invites you to keep pitching. That means they liked your pitch, but for whatever reason couldn't use that particular idea. So the next time you pitch, you have an "in" and some name recognition.

What magazines are you pitching (if you don't mind sharing)?

Also, if you read MediaBistro's How to Pitch guides, all of the ones that I've read say to pitch by email.

Good luck!

Glossy Magazine Response Times?

RainbowDragon

Perpetuous Revisasaurus

Skyraven

What happened to my LIFE?!

denenewrites

RainbowDragon

Perpetuous Revisasaurus

denenewrites