Need advice... please.

torrentwaters · Nov 24, 2006

Okay heres a little background on my problem. I've received an email about four or five months ago from a publisher saying they were going to review my short story. Last month I wrote a follow up letter asking for an update on its status. Didn't hear back. Now the first time the editor had some issues getting me an email so I switch to a different address and sent another letter after several weeks. Thinking this may have been the problem it's been several more weeks still no reply. At this point I don't even know if she's receiving my emails. What should I do this publisher has had my story for almost a year and a half? Any advice would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

ChaosTitan · Nov 24, 2006

A year and a half? With a short story???

They can't be the only place suitable for this story. Personally, I would send yourself an email (just to make sure your email is working properly). If it is, send a polite letter withdrawing the submission, and start subbing elsewhere.

PeeDee · Nov 24, 2006

And if you think your e-mails aren't getting through, send your withdrawel as a snail mail letter. Surely they have an address listed?

A year and a half is VERY excessive.

Carmy · Nov 24, 2006

Is it possible their replies are going into your junk folder?

torrentwaters · Nov 25, 2006

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but I know my emails are working correctly because I can get them from myself and other people are getting them from me. Carmy I wish it was that simple, but no I checked that too. My worry leans more towards my emails ending up in her spam folder. You're probably right I should just send a withdrawl letter snail mail, and be done with it. Thanks again.

johnzakour · Nov 25, 2006

Hi, sometimes you never know why certain systems flag certain users as spam. So it is very possible your mails are ending up in their spam folder.

The thing is, a year and half is way to long wait on a short story.

After that much time, I don't think you even need to drop them with a letter, just submit to other people.

Julie Worth · Nov 25, 2006

Look at the bright side--perhaps they published your piece and think you're hinting around for payment.

scottVee · Nov 25, 2006

All good advice. Snail mail withdrawal, and get on with life. Even 3 months is too long for a short story, unless it's one of the top markets, who can have a little leeway. I worry about little markets that take email submissions and can't answer them quickly. Or anyone, in any business, whose emails are mostly excuses about why they couldn't email me sooner.

Scarlett_156 · Nov 25, 2006

That's ****ed up that they would blow you off like that. That's what I would do to them if it was me: Blow them off, that is.

torrentwaters · Nov 26, 2006

Thanks for the advice everybody. I'll mull it over and figure out my next step with this publisher. But I will let you know one thing I'm never working with them agian. Oh and if anyone is curious the pub is Black Velvet Seductions.

KTC · Nov 28, 2006

I would say let it go. It's hard advice, but it's time to face the fact that they are not accepting it. Sometimes they do this...they will send you an email saying it's being considered, but they won't send you one to inform you it's been rejected. They are probably just not answering your emails.

Start submitting elsewhere and let this one go.

KTC · Nov 28, 2006

Scarlett_156 said:
That's ****ed up that they would blow you off like that. That's what I would do to them if it was me: Blow them off, that is.

Writers get the blow off all the time. Just develop a thick skin and learn to accept that this is a common practice.

torrentwaters · Nov 29, 2006

This may sound a bit naive. But why would they do that? Just blow you off, I mean how long does it take to write a two lined letter saying your rejected. Heck I'd even take an email, saying nothing else but the title and rejected, just so I'm not left holding the bag. Okay so to a new pub it goes. Thanks again guys, you've been super helpful.

dahmnait · Nov 29, 2006

torrentwaters said:
I mean how long does it take to write a two lined letter saying your rejected.

That minute or two adds up if they do it for every rejection. What I have seen in submission guidelines is a time limit that states how long you can expect the pub to review your submission. If they don't send rejections, they state something like, "If we haven't responded to your query within three months, you can assume that it has been rejected." (Very loose with the terminology, but it is early.

)

ETE/A: I would think about withdrawing it (via the postal service if they allow that) in case any of the new pubs you submit to have simultaneous submission policies. Hopefully someone more experienced than I am will let you know if this is needed.

Good luck.

James D. Macdonald · Nov 29, 2006

What's the name of the market?

torrentwaters · Nov 29, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
What's the name of the market?

It's Black Velvet Seductions, an erotic romance ebook and POD publisher.

Need advice... please.

torrentwaters

ChaosTitan

Around

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Carmy

torrentwaters

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

scottVee

Scarlett_156

asdf

torrentwaters

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

torrentwaters

dahmnait

Just a figment…

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

torrentwaters