Wow. You've got more patience than I do. I'd have seriously pulled those first two by now. Good luck, though! And yes. One of them is probably on the right track!
The longest ones is a shared market with you. So you might have an idea how long it'll take. If it was one of my newer stories I probably would have pulled it. But figure I'll just focus on other stuff. They don't seem to have responded to anyone in a while though. Wonder if it'll hit 500.
My own (limited) experience is that about 1 in 2 or 3 "holds" convert into a sale. If one thinks about it from an editor's perspective, that ratio feels about right.
My longest wait on hold was about 14 months, from submission (about 11 months from hold). No sale!
Me neither. Never got a sale after a hold. Either it sells or it doesn't. And usually the sales are quicker responses than the rejections. Or maybe it just feels quicker.
Yeah, me too. My long waits always end up being duds. And the holds never work out. I'm baffled. I guess it means the odds are in our favor for the next time though. Otherwise, we must be cursed!
Are you querying to make sure stuff has been received and is under consideration? I have found a polite query sometimes makes things happen. To me, 415 days is sorta unacceptable.
Otoh, I've had holds result in sales for me around one out of three times, so I would say your odds are good!
Hi Cat! You're right, I should probably query the 400+ one. I figured since no responses came back from duotrope that it wasn't lost. But I probably should make sure the market isn't dead. 1/3 seems like the standard for holds, I guess I've just been a bit unlucky. Hopefully, my luck will turn for these ones.
PS: I saw your post the other day about the number of markets you send out to. I think that's an encouraging post for new writers, puts things in perspective. It ain't easy even for writers with many sales under their belt. Something I realized from the R_A log as well.
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My longest wait on hold was about 14 months, from submission (about 11 months from hold). No sale!
Good luck with all of your submissions.
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Man, an 11 month hold. That's cruel!
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Otoh, I've had holds result in sales for me around one out of three times, so I would say your odds are good!
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PS: I saw your post the other day about the number of markets you send out to. I think that's an encouraging post for new writers, puts things in perspective. It ain't easy even for writers with many sales under their belt. Something I realized from the R_A log as well.
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