A Point of Etiquette

[che2000]

In July of this year I submitted a story to a magazine. The editor emailed me back to say that the story was under consideration for the October issue, but since then I've had no word. The October issue has subequently come out (without my story in it, alas). I emailed the editor a couple of weeks ago to enquire about the status of said story but have recieved no reply. I don't mind that they didn't use the story but a formal rejection (polite or otherwise) might have been nice.

Would it be safe to assume that I can now start submitting the story elsewhere?

[John M. Whalen]

Five months for some publications is that not long a time to wait. Sometimes no news is good news. Try querying again after six months and if still no answer, then sub it some place else, but be sure to tell the editor that you are withdrawing it to send elsewhere. Sometimes that will get a response, if they've been on the fence about the story.

[Samuel Mae]

che, it may be that the story didn't make the October issue, but they're holding it for consideration for their next issue. Maybe. Are they on Duotrope? If so, does their Recent Responses page indicate they've been sending responses out for stories submitted later than yours? What's the average wait time? Duotrope isn't a complete guide to response times, but it can give a good indication.

Like John recommends, if you do decide to send it elsewhere, send them a brief withdrawal letter first. Just to cover your bases.

[Jaqhama]

It wasn't in the Oct issue.
Send it somewhere else.
They ain't answering your emails, to hell with them.
There's a reason I no longer sub to magazines/ezines.
I won't jump through their hoops.
I know, that if I was running a magazine, I'd damn well be on the ball, up to date and letting writers know what's happening.
Crystalwizard always did, why can't anyone else?
She had disipline, she was dedicated, she didn't want to leave her writers/submitters hanging.
Look what happened to Flashing Swords, one minute it's a real life publication, a new crew takes over and it sinks like a stone in deep water.
I'm past sending stories to mags that pay a pittance and leave the writer hanging.

[Mike Griffiths]

There is no reason why magazines can't be professional. if they are holding your story they have a duty to communicate. Either run a magazine or do something else with your time.

This being said, mistakes are made and emails lost. At least send them a second query.

Mike