Recently I was asked what's my least favourite thing about being a writer. I said what most of us in the literary biz would say. It's the waiting.
Waiting for a response is agonizing. Any reply--even a rejection--is better than nothing.
In the meantime, I stay busy. I keep writing. I keep submitting more stories. Eventually I query the editor (sometimes that's a good thing). I remember one time we writers were told we'd receive notification by a certain date if our stories were chosen.
The day after the deadline rolled around and still no word.
I was devastated. I was so sure that this story would make it in the anthology. I moped around for a day or two, feeling really sorry for myself.
Then I decided to send an email expressing my disappointment, but also thanking the editor for the opportunity to submit my story to her. I ended with the hope that I would have the chance to work with her sometime in the future.
And you know what? She replied that she definitely wanted my story; she was just behind in notifying everyone. I'm so glad I sent that email.
So I pose this question for my lovely writer friends: How long do you wait for a response before you either query...or send the story elsewhere?
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