This has probably been aked before, but rather than dig through hundreds of topics and posts, I'll just ask again.
When submitting a manuscript, is there a good reason to enclose a SASE large enough to return your entire manuscript in? Or is it ok just to enclose a letter size envelope for the rejection?
Posted by GZ (Member # 1374) on :
The only reason I’ve come up with is if the paper/ink/time outlay is more than the return postage.
I sent the big enveloped out the first few times, sort of hoping that I might see a stray mark I could then agonized about for meaning. Don’t bother. They come back without so much as an accidental pencil drag. Just as well. There’s enough to overanalyze in the rejection letters themselves.
Returning the manuscript made more sense using typewriters. With computers making getting a new copy as easy as pushing a button, there just isn’t the same time investment in creating another copy.
All that is observation though. I don't know if there are more issues at stake than postage money.
[This message has been edited by GZ (edited July 23, 2003).]
Posted by mags (Member # 1570) on :
it's ok to just send a #10 envelope with postage for the rejection slip/acceptance letter. However, make sure that you let them know that you want them to just throw away your manuscript, or they will be confused as to how you want your entire manuscript to fit into a #10 envelope. -- actually, I like #9's better for SASE's, but they are much harder to find.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
I've started putting "Disposable Copy" just above the word count on the first page.
Posted by Balthasar (Member # 5399) on :
The easy answer to your question -- Do you want your manuscript back?
If you do, then your SASE should be a 12x9 manila envelope with appropriate postage.
If you don't, then a business-sized envelop is fine. Just remember to state in your cover letter or on the first page of your manuscript that your manuscript is disposable.
[This message has been edited by Balthasar (edited July 24, 2003).]
