How long should I wait? - Writers Forum

SilverC · 03-04-2006, 07:01 PM

First off: hello, I'm new to these boards.

I mailed off a submission package to a publisher back in the beginning of Nov '05. I followed all of their submission guidelines to the letter and I read that their response time is usually 8-12 weeks. Seeing as how it was my first try at getting something published, I expected to be rejected.

Well, the 12 weeks are long gone and I haven't heard a peep. Not even a standard rejection form. Should I send them a query letter? Should I give them more time? Or should I just assume that they've rejected it and try somewhere else?

I was expecting the sting of rejection, but getting no response whatsoever is a lot more painful than I was imagining.

mammamaia · 03-05-2006, 05:58 PM

i'm wondering why you hadn't queried them first... or did you, and they subsequently said to send the ms?... so, what do you mean by 'package'?... and who is the publisher?...

that aside, 12 weeks is just under 3 months and it's now only 4 months, which is not a long time, comparatively speaking, for unagented material to be gotten to... a polite phone call asking about the status of your submission wouldn't hurt anything, though, so that's what i'd do, if i were you...

love and hugs, maia

SilverC · 03-05-2006, 06:04 PM

Thanks for responding.

The publisher in question is EDGE science fiction and fantasy publishing. They accept unsolicited manuscripts provided you follow their guidelines, which I did. They wanted a query letter, a synopsis, title page, the first three chapters and a SASE.

I guess I could phone them and ask. I'll just have to work up the nerve first.

mammamaia · 03-05-2006, 06:09 PM

sorry to say, this doesn't seem to be a very reliable outfit... here's their listing on p&e:

Quote:

Edge SF and Fantasy : a Canadian book publisher. editor's note: formerly known as RiverBend; also a writer reports that this market is unresponsive.

...just take a deep breath and call... they can't bite you over the phone, right?