[Serene229 Posts: 25 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I have several poetry submissions out to Highlights and Cricket publications via Submittable.  My earlier submissions (from March through early April) moved from "Received" to "In Progress" within hours, but everything submitted in the last few weeks has remained at "Received."  Is that normal?  Do they only consider a handful of submissions from a single person at one time, or are they backed up and perhaps have stopped looking at new submissions?

Just curious and wondering if I should hold off on sending anything new. Thanks!   

[Kell Posts: 1,400 Status: Online On the other hand WWW]

I don't know, but I'm guessing they review in batches. I have a Cricket Media submission "In Progress" now, but sometimes they seem to take forever to get there. I've also had things go from "In Progress" to "Declined" very fast, so staying "In Progress" means that at least you're in the wheelhouse...

[Serene229 Posts: 25 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks, Kell.  Several of my Highlights submissions actually moved to "In Progress" today, right after I posted here, so I think you're right about them reviewing in batches.  I've gotten a couple of quick Rejections so far, so I'm happy to stay In Progress for as long as needed!

[TMarie Posts: 92 Status: Offline]

Hello All! I was wondering if there is a way to follow up on submissions via Submittable for mss sent via Submittable? Or do we need to follow up through snail mail? I've had a sub out since 3/17/16. It went to "IN PROGRESS" one week later and it's still sitting there. I'd like to follow up, any suggestions or info you have would be greatly appreciated.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,330 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Hi TMarie,

I'd wait another three months before following up unless you submitted with a specific issue in mind. Sometimes in progress submissions wait until they've put an entire issue together. As far as I know, you can't follow up via Submittable. Check the company websites for how to follow up or report issues with Submittable. Some companies have these. If they don't, you may need to use snail mail.

[lisa-katzenberger Posts: 82 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi,

I can offer my perspective as a Fiction Reader for a literary journal that uses submittable. I'm a reader, so I'm just giving the first look at a piece and a Yes/No recommendation to the editors. I have a backlog of about 100 submissions, and personally, I too review them in batches when I have a chunk of time. As we get closer to the publication deadline I read more frequently. In-Progress is a good step to be, you're still under consideration! Good luck waiting (the worst part of the publishing process!)

[writerjenn Posts: 355 Status: Offline WWW]

The way publications use Submittable seems to vary widely. I've had some submissions go to "In Progress" right away and stay there for 9 months and counting. I have one ms. that was accepted and will be published soon, but on Submittable it's still listed as "Received." So I try not to read too much into the categories!

[lrzajac Posts: 67 Status: Offline I write science as a story, sprinkled with art WWW]

 I'd give Highlights some time. They can take a while to respond. I tend to avoid checking on my submissions because a watched pot never boils. Today, I did look at them, so here's my question:

I can see all my submissions (queries to one magazine, an article to another and a MS submission), can these folks see all of my stuff or only what has been sent to them? 
(It doesn't really matter, I was just wondering)  :hi5  :bunnyshake

[TMarie Posts: 92 Status: Offline]

Thank you everyone for your time and info. I will hold out a bit longer before I snail SQ, until then, I guess I'm on the fence! And, Irzajac, from what I heard they can only see what you have subbed to them, and not all your submissions to others.

[lrzajac Posts: 67 Status: Offline I write science as a story, sprinkled with art WWW]

Thanks, Marie. That makes sense.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,330 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Yes, they only see what's sent to them. The rest would waste their time.