I submitted a short story to a publication. Following the publication's guidelines I sent a query after getting no response for six weeks. I have not got a response to the query now.
How long after the query do you wait before you give up on the market getting back to you?
Duotrope says it takes 27 days for a response on average, it has been almost twice that now.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Hmm. Well, if their guidelines say query after so long, and you did and haven't heard anything, and it's been twice as long as Duotrope says it normally takes... I believe I would send them a quick note explaining what happened and that you are going to start send the story elsewhere. You might want to tell them that you are withdrawing your story, so that way weirdness won't happen if all of a sudden two people say they want your story, and if they don't want mult. subs, etc. that way you did the right thing, even if you don't hear from them.
I actually had that happen to me with a contest which I paid money to enter in my foolish youth. the magazine folded, and would not answer any mail, and didn't tell anyone what was going on. they just disappeared. I had to just guess that I was supposed to move on (without my $15, i might add...).
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
What publication is it? Do they have a history of delay? Are other people on Duotrope getting responses who subbed later?
I'd look at the stats and consider querying again. Maybe hunt around the site and see if you can find an alternate address to send the query to. Whatever you do, keep it polite, even if you withdraw the story.
Posted by EVOC (Member # 9381) on :
The publication is Liquid Imagination. Duotrope doesn't show a history of delays. They use a submissions system, and it shows it as received. I think I will give the query some more time. I would hate to withdraw from a possible sale.