We all get them--except sometimes we don't. Sometimes we never hear from the editor at all. Sometime we find out we've been rejected when the zine or journal comes out. I much prefer a note or even a sentence telling me this in advance of the zine appearance. Maybe it's hard to say no to writers but it's part of the process--getting rejected and if we can't take it, we shouldn't be in this business.
I can take your rejections. It's the wondering that kills me.
What do you think?
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18 comments:
I totally agree. Writers would much rather know one way or the other.
It's unprofessional and rude not to acknowledge a submission.
Totally agree. I'm finding more and more markets that aren't responding unless they're accepting your story. I think it's more a case of not wanting the extra work of writing a rejection note, than not wanting to hurt a writer's feelings. And if a writer's feelings get hurt because their story is rejected they'd do better to find another line of work.
It's especially annoying online because you're never sure if they got your submission or not. Even with an auto-reply I've had stories get lost. A rejection note at least lets you send the story elsewhere instead of sitting on your thumbs wondering what you should do.
Sandra Seamans
Sandra's tapped on a real problem. How do you know if your submission ever arrives? A lot iffier with email because things get overlooked even with the auto-reply. Also-recently a site lost my submission for months. They never would have known it if I hadn't finally emailed to see if they were going to use it or not. And they still haven't decided--six months later.
As a zine editor who has succumbed to many of these unprofessionla traits at times I have to at least give a nod to the insanity of what we do. I swear that DEMOLITION is constantly one thin thread away from me shutting it down completely because it's such a hassel. But I eventually come around because I like the opportunity it gives writers and I've been given some great breaks by online editors.
And since I'm such a fount of hippocracy I also got in trouble for really ripping into a well known online zine for unprofessionalism even though I know both sides of the desk. It still sucks as a writer when you get burned.
Bryon-Maybe you should blog about this. The sort of work involved--the editor's POV. It would be useful to see it from both sides.
I am sure we all have a place/site that we feel has treated us poorly. Mine would be a print journal.
And usually the magazine that holds your submission the longest is the one that doesn't want you to send it anywhere else while they make up their mind. I've got one that's been in submission for almost two years. According to their guidelines you could submit online or by snail mail, and expect a reply in 90 days. I opted for email and when I inquired as to the status of the story, I was told they hold stories for two years and never send rejections to email submissions. Their excuse? They get too many submissions by email to reply to them all. How hard can it be to hit reply and say yes or no? So there the story sets. Very frustrating.
Sandra Seamans
yes, it would be great to know one way or the other - well, let's face it, getting accepted is the only thing we really want to hear.
Still, like Bryon says, running a zine is a lot of work. I've submitted places and then after not hearing anything for two months just submitted elsewhere. I figure we're lucky someone is running these zines, might as well cut them a break and not take it personally.
When I know it's a one or two person operation, I always cut them a break. And I don't mind waiting a month or three for a response. Just please send one eventually with a yes or no.
I was co-editor for a small chapbook type magazine. The gentleman who owned the magazine was the publisher and editor. I just read for him and offered suggestions on stories, he did all the work of setting and printing the final stories and paid all the bills. And it is easy to get behind when you have a job that you need to make the mortgage payments.
Sandra Seamans
Is it okay to just submit elsewhere without officially withdrawing it because officially withdrawing it sounds pissy and I'd rather avoid it. I came from the print journal world where you could submit to a lot of place simultaneously and just withdraw it from the rest when one place took it. I've never quite got the protocol here.
I feel this way about agents, too. Especially those who take e-subs. I understand their POV - who wants abusive emails about the rejection? - but I'd MUCH rather have rejection than waiting and wondering. That's been the worst part of the whole process for me.
As for when to sim-sub, don't most zines say which is OK? I personally prefer to send exclusives, but only with zines where I know the response time (especially via email) will be a few weeks. I actually just decided not to send a snail sub because the response time was too long, but that's mainly because I'm all neurotic about my career right now, and I want some successes!
If the zines had a rejection template---"sorry, your story isn't right for us at this time..." ---it doesn't seem to me it would be that difficult to hit the reply button on the author's original query email.
Perhaps I'm missing something.
I am a big fan of zines both as a writer and a reader. So, I would rather a zine stay in business and not respond to submissions than stop altogether.
I'm still just having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that a form rejection email would be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Me too. I love the zines. What a lot of work and we just sit here and grouse.
Now, I kinda feel like a whiney little brat. I think I'll go sit in my timeout chair.
As for Patti's original post/question, I think it all comes down to the effort the editors make to convey that they appreciate the submission. When it comes to feeling respected, form letter or personal letter doesn't matter to me -- as long as they convey the appreciation. I've read some very nice form rejections that no rational rejectee could have any problem with. ... On the other end of the spectrum, there's nothing quite like a poorly handled rejection (or complete radio silence) to totally turn me off from a pub.
I guess my main point would be to respond in some way in a reasonable amount of time. Never communicating a decision has been made at all is not fair. And communicating it's been made by posting a new issue without your piece is hard to take for a writer.
I'm awaiting word from a print mag that takes e-submissions. I sent mine in by the deadline (and although my ISP confirms it's ben "sent" - I always wonder if it was "received"). At least this mag says it will announce the next list of contributors on its website by a certain date. If I don't see my name, I'll still wonder: Was I rejected or did they not get it?
I sent another story to an ezine in September, and never heard back one way or the other. When I sent one of the editors a short message on myspace asking if they got it, they read the message but never replied. Two words: Not helping.
Give me the good old days when everything was snail mail and editors figured if you spent the money on a SASE, they might as well give you the courtesy of a reply.
Give me a rejection letter rather than leave me twisting in the breeze.
There is one print journal I would dearly like to place a story in. Once a year, I send them a story. They have yet to respond to the ones I send in 2006 or 2007. Ask me why I sent a third one recently? Does their rejection and rudeness titillate me?
I agree that some notice would be nice, just so you can send your story to the next market on your list. I try to use Duotrope's average response time as a guide to when to just give up.
Regarding Patti's comment about continuing to send to the snubbing market - I do that! Brings out the stubborn in me. I figure eventually I'll wear 'em down.
- Sophie
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