Addendum to The Fine Art of Submission

And! Just a gentle word on your follow-up letter to an editor about submissions you’ve made. A few words actually.

1. Wait the requisite amount of time before following up.

2. When you write your email/letter/scratch Linear B into a clay tablet/tattoo your carrier pigeon, include your name, the name of your submission, the date and means of submission (electronic or hard copy – or tattooed carrier pigeon), and ask (a) if it was received and (b) if yes, do they still wish to keep it for consideration?

3. Be polite. I read a couple of follow-up queries today that made my eyes burn. Do not adopt an accusatory tone (“I sent you my story two weeks ago and you’ve not had the decency to respond. You, sir, are a cad and a bounder!”), and do not demand the return of your submission (unless you’ve established some fiendish and underhanded goings-on at the magazine/journal).

Remember, if you want to have a writing career then chances are you may well wish to submit to this market again – you don’t want to be on the Blacklist. You may also meet this person/these people later at a con. “Wait a minute. Are you the Obi-Wan Kenobi who said my magazine was an unprofessional load of steaming excrement because I didn’t answer your submission within 24hrs? Oh my, how lovely to meet you.”

Be polite. Be professional. Ensure you don’t damage your career chances before you even get going.