Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Sending an Inquiry

This is topic Sending an Inquiry in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :

I submited a piece to a mag.

The website says 4-6 weeks.
In relation to my submission, that means Nov 1st at the latest.

I got an email announcing the newest issue is out now.

So, do I inquire about my sub now? Or wait till Nov 1st? Or even later?

Posted by Ahavah (Member # 2599) on :

Personally, I would wait until Nov 7 at the earliest. That's just me.

Posted by Isaiah13 (Member # 2283) on :

The Pedestal? If so, give it a few more weeks. I think the response time on the one I sent them was about eight weeks or so.

Edited to add: The Pedestal always sends out e-mails regarding future issues, both before and after they have replied to the submission.

[This message has been edited by Isaiah13 (edited October 24, 2005).]

Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :

I'm not sure what you think the e-mail about the newest issue means . . . most magazines select stories months before the issue comes out.

If the guidelines say it takes 4-6 weeks, you need to give them at least 6 weeks. It is an estimate, not a contract; if they are running behind, they will undoubtedly appreciate your understanding.

You can also check Submitting to the Black Hole and see what reported response times are.

Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :

Ok, thank you!

I shall continue to wait.

Isaiah13: Yes, it's The Pedestal.

Beth: The email I got is an advertisement/announcement for the latest issue being out now. What this means in my brain is, since I haven't heard from them I *know* I'm not in this issue and I thought that was what the submission times were for.
I guess it never dawned on me that the stories in this issue may have been from submissions in spring or winter.

Learn something new every day.

Well, back to chewing on pencils and pretending that I'm not waiting for a response. '-)

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Don't wait for a response, start writing your next story.

Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :

Oh, I'm still writing. In fact I've gotten quite abit (2k words) of character developement down for one of my two WIP novels.

On the other hand, I can't seem to edit/polish anything else. It's like I'm waiting for word back before I before I can move to send anything else out.

For the most part I don't think about it, until I start thinking about getting something else ready for submission.

Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :

send more out! Don't wait.

Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :

Finally got the response:

Dear J. Mari C:

Thank you for submitting your work to The Pedestal Magazine. We enjoyed reading it but regret that we cannot use it at this time.

We wish you the best of luck in placing your work elsewhere and sincerely hope that you will submit other writing to us in the future.

Best,

The Editors

The Pedestal Magazine

http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Well, JmariC, they would not send you that rejection letter if they didn't want to see more work by you.

In fact, that particular kind of rejection letter usually only goes to writers whose stories were ones the editor would have liked to use but couldn't for one reason or another. That editor very probably hopes the next one you send will be one he or she can buy.

Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :

Thank you!

Encouragement is always appreciated!
The question now is both how can I fix what the story that I sent and what to send them next. Thanks to the Flash Challenges, I actually have many stories in various stages.

So many stories, so little (NaNo) time. '-)