JPF Home Page Forums Creative Arts Forums Creative Writing Forum Finding Publishers 101

All righty, I'm back! ~whew~

Question #1:
"First, what seems to be the general feeling about unsolicited manuscripts? I know some publications make specific comments about them one way or the other, but if it doesn't clearly state a preference, is it worth it? I don't mind wasting a copy and and a couple of stamps, I just wouldn't want to invest any hopes per se..."

Okay: Rule of thumb here is if the publisher SAYS "We do NOT accept unsolicited MS," then yeah, that's going to waste your stamps to send them something unsolicited!
That's like being a Kirby salesman knocking on a door marked "No Soliciting." (Do they even have those anymore? Oh well...)

If they DON'T state a preference, they're fair game.
If they don't state a preference, and they don't really accept them, they will let you know when they reject your MS. But they shouldn't be offended by your submitting to them.
As far as "investing hope," well, we all do that whether we like to admit to it or not!

If you're awfully worried about it at any particular time, just query first. (If they say "query first," BTW, then you must. Don't send them a complete MS until they ask you for it.) Once they ask you for more... why then, now you are REQUESTED material and you may go ahead and write that on the outside of your envelope, with an ATTN: to the editor who signed the letter.

Under no circumstances should you ever sneakily write "REQUESTED" on the outside of an envelope that does NOT contain requested material.... this is called "burning bridges."
Bad idea!

OK... on to Question #2 in another reply... I want to keep them straight, and keep my replies saved in case I get called away from the computer.

Linda