Agents and stamps

spywriter · Mar 13, 2006

I need to know if this is happening to others...I have sent out many queries in the last few weeks with SASE's. Many agencies are emailing me their "No's" and keeping my SASE. Some of these agencies are just okay, but a couple of them have been the better ones. Any thoughts? Should I think twice about these agents?

James D. Macdonald · Mar 13, 2006

They aren't getting rich off filching postage stamps from SASEs. Ignore this. It's a non-problem.

spywriter · Mar 13, 2006

stamps

Got it, but I have to tell you its kinda weird. They may not be getting rich off my stamps, but I would love to save some bucks by not sending them if I don't have to. Thanks for the reply.

Lauri B · Mar 13, 2006

I email rejections all the time. It takes far less time and energy to type a quick "no," than it does to find the generic rejection letter on the server, revise it slightly, print it it out, sign my name, put it in an envelope, stick it in the pile of mail to go out, and then go back to my desk. I recycle the unwanted SASEs, and I promise I'm not steaming off the stamps first. One option is to not send one in and see what happens, but come on, it's 39 cents for the stamp and what, 50 cents for the envelope, max? For your 89 cents you're getting the belt-and-suspenders level of comfort.

spywriter · Mar 13, 2006

Thanks for your POV. Since nearly every rejection I get is either hand written on my query or on a little piece of photocopied paper, I didn't understand the email thing. I think that it's easier to write "NO THANKS" accross a query than it is to get online, type in someone's address, search through the generic replies to find the "no thanks" one and then hit send. But again, that's my POV.

Thirty nine cents isn't a lot of money unless you are sending out many, many queries and you are on a shoe-string budget. I was only saying that if people like you would tell writers that they need not include a SASE, that would save us a little time and money.

CaoPaux · Mar 13, 2006

You discard stamps, Nomad? Now that's a waste, IMO.

Personally, I've no problem with the notion of agents using my stamps elsewhere (presuming they've replied by other means). They've taken the time to read me and reply, so I don't begrudge them 39¢-plus-cost-of-envelope. Ideally, of course, if an agency regularly responds by email they'd state in their guidelines not to bother with an SASE, but I feel its enclosure is as much a demonstration of professionalism as an expectation of a written reply.

Lauri B · Mar 13, 2006

Okay, from now on I'll save the stamps. I promise. Spywriter, I'm on my computer all day, every day. I just timed how long it took to write this:
Dear Spywriter:
Thanks so much for your submission of XX to Nomad Press. Unfortunately, as our writers' guidelines clearly explain, we do not publish poetry or fiction of any kind. Best of luck finding a home for your manuscript.
Best regards,
Etc. etc.

64 seconds.

And Cao, I agree that enclosing an SASE is a demonstration of professionalism, too. I still submit stuff and I always include a SASE, but I also always include a note in my query or proposal that says, "feel free to respond to my email address: [email protected].

CaoPaux · Mar 13, 2006

Nomad said:
Okay, from now on I'll save the stamps. I promise.

Yay! I'll make sure to send you pretty ones when the time comes.

Branwyn · Mar 13, 2006

I sent a SAE....I forgot the stamp, I think( know) subconciously I want a phone call and acceptance

.

Agents and stamps

spywriter

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

spywriter

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

spywriter

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

Branwyn

Print release:Sept.1,'09