Falling through the cracks?

[eimarra]

I'm in no hurry to court rejection, but I have to wonder whether I should follow up on a submission. I submitted a story via e-mail to Jim Baen's Universe just about the same time they were switching to the new submission system--beginning of May. The link to their new system didn't work, and I noted that in my e-mail. I received a response that said:

We'll be handling your current submission by e-mail, but we'd like to ask you to send future submissions through the above address. This will allow you to track the current status of your submission online: when you think you may not have received an e-mail from us, you can just click a link that we'll send you to check.


Responses on story submissions are currently taking two to ten days. If you have not received a response within four weeks, feel free to inquire.

So it's been almost six weeks. Should I inquire? As I said, I don't want to court rejection, but I do want to know that the submission didn't get lost as they changed over their system.

Comments

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

I'd inquire. I don't think it's courting rejection; that's just writerly paranoia there. You'll probably get back one of several answers:

1. Oops, we lost it, please send again

2. Yes, we got it, and it's being considered.

3. Yes, we got it, and we're just that far behind.

4. We already sent you a rejection. Didn't you get it?

At least those are the ones I've had so for. Except for number two.

[eimarra]

Yes, it's writerly paranoia. Just thinking of Mar's recent incidents of following up, and it being case 1 -- followed by a quick "No, thank you."

*sigh*

Okay, I'll send them an e-mail Monday.

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, but in her case all that meant was they looked at it quickly after she resubmitted. I took it as a courtesy that they looked at it right away after keeping her waiting for so long.