[Starfish Posts: 224 Status: Offline]

Normally, I wait to hear back from an editor before subbing my next short story for consideration. But is that the right thing to do? I don't want to appear pushy or to be bombarding the editorial staff - that's why I wait. But I wonder if I'm missing out on opportunities, too.

For example, I subbed a short story to Boy's Quest a little over a month ago. I have another story that I'd like to send that group too. Would you wait or go ahead and send it? I've had a few acceptances and rejections with this group so I know I'll probably hear from them soon. But I also know their themes fill up really fast.

[AmandaSue Posts: 196 Status: Offline Believe, Give, Trust WWW]

Because Boy's Quest is all themed, I'd send it now. I've had a NF piece at HIghlights for about 9 months now, still waiting to hear back. In that time I've sent them other articles and poems and benn rejected. When you have it ready to go, I say send it.

[mrh Posts: 4,561 Status: Offline www.marciahoehne.com WWW]

Normally, this has been a no-no -- but I agree that in the case of Boys' Quest or another themed publication, go for it. Just because you haven't heard back yet about your submission for their Jan. 2016 issue, does that mean you should pass up your chance to submit for their Aug. 2016 issue? I say no, especially because of the way they work: when an issue is full, it's full. You have to jump in as soon as you can. 

[Vijaya Posts: 8,355 Status: Offline LISTEN. Let all mortal flesh keep silence ... WWW]

I third the advice to send it out in this case for all the reasons mentioned above.
Good luck,
Vijaya

[Starfish Posts: 224 Status: Offline]

Thanks for your responses. My story is ready to go!

[Sara Posts: 335 Status: Offline WWW]

Normally, this has been a no-no

So, when is submitting more than one piece a no-no? Some of these magazines take so long to reply that sometimes I'll submit a second ms. three or four months after the first. I've never had more than three in at once (and those would usually be with at least two different editors--fiction and non-fiction) but I don't always wait for the first ms to be returned before sending another.

[Ev Posts: 4,361 Status: Offline Making learning fun! WWW]

Starfish, it's fine to submit additional pieces to Boys' Quest, Hopscotch, or Fun for Kidz. Their 'official' guidelines sheet they enclose with rejections says please not to send more than one submission per week.

As for submitting additional pieces to other publications, if they take six months or more to respond, and especially if they send their submissions out to first readers, I've occasionally sent a second ms to them before I've heard back on the first.

If you send multiple pieces close together that are the same genre to mags that are unthemed, you do run the risk of competing against yourself.

Best wishes to you!

[Jan Fields Posts: 144 Status: Offline I came, I saw, I wrote it down. WWW]

I try to send the things I write to the market that best matches them. If that means I send a second thing to a magazine that hasn't responded to something else yet -- I do it without a second thought. Magazines don't want a half dozen things from you to sort out, but when you feel like it's the very best market match -- send it. :

[Alison Stevens Posts: 44 Status: Offline WWW]

I send multiple pieces at once. I don't see any reason not to do so. I only send two to any given editor, but I've been known to sub up to three at once (to multiple editors). Most have been accepted, so I don't think it's been a problem!

[Vijaya Posts: 8,355 Status: Offline LISTEN. Let all mortal flesh keep silence ... WWW]

I try to send the things I write to the market that best matches them. If that means I send a second thing to a magazine that hasn't responded to something else yet -- I do it without a second thought. Magazines don't want a half dozen things from you to sort out, but when you feel like it's the very best market match -- send it. :

I know I inundated Paula Morrow at Ladybug ... she had to tell me to slow down as half a dozen of my manuscripts were being passed around. She was very sweet about it, but I learned my lesson.

Vijaya

[Starfish Posts: 224 Status: Offline]

Thanks for your help everyone! Just wanted to share that I just received an acceptance! Instead of Boy's Quest, my story will be in Fun For Kidz. I feel so lucky! They're such a great group!

Also, I held off on sending that second story so I could make further revisions. I'm glad I waited because this time my acceptance letter didn't mention the name of my story. So, if I'd had two with them and the response time had been longer, I would've been confused. Although it did indicate the theme. I don't know, something to think about maybe. Normally, I write the name of my manuscript on my SASE, but I forgot to do that this time.

[Sara Posts: 335 Status: Offline WWW]

Congrats on your acceptance, Starfish!

[Starfish Posts: 224 Status: Offline]

Thanks, Sara!