2 questions - brainfood & enquiries

[fwilde]

1. Over on the thinky space - how do you feed your brain?

2. About enquiring to a magazine or journal about a submission. (really, I'm asking for a friend... mhm.)  If subs are going over the stated return time in general  (thx. Duotrope), is it better to enquire when yours does the same, or to remain quiet?  Do journals see an enquiry at that point

Comments

[blairmacg]

Some markets will give you a don't-query-before time in the sub guidelines, and that time will be longer than the average response time. I they don't give that, I'd probably add at least thirty days to the average. Take a look at the "average time to acceptance" dates on Duotrope, too. That'll give you a workable range.

A single, polite, appropriately-timed query isn't going to get you bounced from a professional market, imo.

[fwilde]

Thanks, Blair! Yah, this is something I've encountered before - going past the don't-query-before time. I've dropped a polite note and had a good response. I'm curious how other people handle it, and whether it may vary from journal to journal. The thirty-day add is good advice.

[acwise]

I tend to agree that it depends on the market, but as a general rule, I'd say there's nothing wrong with a polite query under most circumstances.

[fwilde]

Thanks, AC!