Yet another etiquette question...

[Athena]

I received a rejection in which the editor suggested that I submit to a different publication and said that I should "say hello" for them.

Is this editor simply being polite or should I say, "_____ from [publication] suggested I submit this story to you."

Many thanks as usual for the pointers.

[Ishmael]

I got one of those and did as suggested. No result yet, but I can't see how a recommendation from another editor can hurt.

[MattDovey]

Sounds like the Cast of Wonders rejection, in which case--that's their form rejection (sorry).

I always think it's a bit weird to mention it, because it's a bit like ringing up a friend and saying "hey, X has cancelled, so are you free?"

The only time I do mention it, personally, is if it's a recommendation from a market to submit to a sister market--e.g. Podcastle to Pseudopod, which are both Escape Artists markets.

[george nik.]

But Cast of Wonders is also an Escape Artists market, so...?

I don't really get it. Matt, do you mean that Cast of Wonders' form rejection asks you to submit to a random market and say hello to them? Is this some kind of joke on their part? Or do they ask you to submit to a particular market, no matter what story you have sent them? And not one of their sister markets at that?

Well, I guess I'll know soon enough, as my story in CoW is about to be judged, but this does strike me as very peculiar indeed.

[MattDovey]

TBH I don't have a CoW rejection on hand to actually say, but I believe it goes something like

If you are still searching for a podcast or magazine to publish this story, consider submitting the piece to the list of recommend venues on our website under Markets. And say hello for us!

which is form. I think it sometimes includes something along the lines of "X and Y would be excellent places to start." If one of X or Y is a sister podcast (e.g. Podcastle), then I might consider it, if the language of the R was hugely complimentary but ending with a "not right for our market"; if it was an unrelated publication (e.g. Drabblecast) then I wouldn't bother.

Honestly, I don't think it would ever help anyway. No market is going to be swayed by another having rejected the story, which, however nicely it's written, is what's happened. Sorry :(

I do find that the more I submit, the less I care about the cover letter, though. I've got 11 out at the moment, and I have gone from writing bespoke cover letters with humour and a personal touch, to a simple

Dear Editors,

Please find attached my X000-word [genre] story, "Waffle and Nonsense", for your consideration.

Kindest regards,
--Matt Dovey

[Athena]

Well, it was CoW, but it wasn't a form as they talked specifically about my piece. They did include the form bit ("list of recommend venues on our website under Markets") at the end, but prior to that they suggested I submit to one of the sister markets.

[MattDovey]

Well, it was CoW, but it wasn't a form as they talked specifically about my piece. They did include the form bit ("list of recommend venues on our website under Markets") at the end, but prior to that they suggested I submit to one of the sister markets.

In which case, probably wouldn't hurt

[Ishmael]

Yep, the end of a COW rejection has a form section about submitting elsewhere, but if in an earlier part they say your piece / might / could / would / is absolutely bound to / interest a sister Escape Artist publication then that's considerably better than a form, I would say. Especially if they say it in capital letters. Twice. And tell you what's good about your story too.

I was a bit surprised they didn't just pass it over and save the resubmission, but if someone says very nice things about my work I'm not going to complain.

[amoskalik]

I was a bit surprised they didn't just pass it over and save the resubmission, but if someone says very nice things about my work I'm not going to complain.

Well, they can't legally/ethically submit your work. As a writer, you have the right to choose where to send your work for consideration. Of course, I myself have been very indiscriminate in this regard, but I imagine others would care.

[Ishmael]

And yet some groups of publications explicitly say they'll consider your submission for others in the family and some even go so far as to say don't submit to these others because we already considered that.

And my acceptance from Albedo 2 arose from a submission to Albedo 1, though goodness knows when that will find its way into print.

Speaking of long delays, is anybody in active contact with Rampant Loon / Stupefying Stories? I've just passed the first anniversary of my contract with them with no further contact. I've already tried two or three queries to different addresses without response.

[amoskalik]

And yet some groups of publications explicitly say they'll consider your submission for others in the family and some even go so far as to say don't submit to these others because we already considered that.

And my acceptance from Albedo 2 arose from a submission to Albedo 1, though goodness knows when that will find its way into print.

Speaking of long delays, is anybody in active contact with Rampant Loon / Stupefying Stories? I've just passed the first anniversary of my contract with them with no further contact. I've already tried two or three queries to different addresses without response.

I have a story accepted there as well. I signed the contract, forgot that I had done so and queried whether I had about 4 months later. They responded promptly that I had, but did not give any indication if or when the story will be published. The address I used was submissions@rampantloonmedia.com.

The contract itself states that:
In the event that PUBLISHER fails to publish WORK within one year of CONTRACT DATE, AUTHOR
may terminate this contract and recover all rights associated with WORK under the terms of this license
by notifying PUBLISHER of AUTHOR’s desire to terminate this contract. PUBLISHER shall have 30
days to respond to AUTHOR’s request to terminate this contract.If PUBLISHER fails to respond or fails
to reach a new agreement with AUTHOR within this 30-day time period, this contract is void, and all
rights associated with WORK under the terms of this license revert immediately to AUTHOR.

So I guess if you are already over a year and are tired of waiting, you can terminate. Obviously, actually being published would be preferable.

[MattDovey]

And yet some groups of publications explicitly say they'll consider your submission for others in the family and some even go so far as to say don't submit to these others because we already considered that.

For the record, Cricket/Cicada/etc. is one such group. I asked a couple of years back after a personal.

[Athena]

For the record, Cricket/Cicada/etc. is one such group. I asked a couple of years back after a personal.

My youngest subscribes to LadyBug which I think is also part of that group, but I could be mistaken.

[Beth Powers]

Speaking of long delays, is anybody in active contact with Rampant Loon / Stupefying Stories? I've just passed the first anniversary of my contract with them with no further contact. I've already tried two or three queries to different addresses without response.

The editor makes infrequent updates on the Facebook page, including one awhile ago about being behind on responding to email. I've also queried (through email) for a story that was accepted over a year ago with no response. Maybe posting on or messaging the Facebook page (which seems to receive some attention) would be a different way to try getting in touch?