I visited a sci-fi convention, MystiCon, last weekend. While there, I attended several writing classes and talked at length with Ed Schubert, the editor for IGMS. This lasted for about 4-5 hours in fairly small groups, usually 4-5 people. We addressed each other by first name while we talked. We had met briefly once before at OSC's 2-day writing camp. I expect that he will remember me if I send him a story, but my questions are:
1 - Is it okay to send a "cover letter" with an electronic submission?
2 - Should I address him as "Ed" or "Mr. Schubert"?
3 - Is there any other advice a previous submitter to IGMS would like to offer me?
Posted by Jeff Ambrose (Member # 9437) on :
1. Why wouldn't it be okay to send a cover letter with an e-sub? I've done it. Just be brief and to the point.
2. Sitting in a small group and calling him Ed is one thing. For me, I'd address him as Mr. Schubert in any formal business correspondence until he says otherwise. Remember, chances are your sub will be read by an assistant editor.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I agree with Jeff. I usually have a cover letter with my electronic subs (unless it specifically says not to in the submissions guidelines for that particular publication), just with the basic info in it. And I would call him Mr. so-and-so in the letter. It is just more professional, since you are addressing him about a professional matter. When he gets the letter, he'll have his "editor hat" on, whereas at the convention he was just Ed.
Good luck!
Melanie
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
IGMS submissions work like this. You go to the site and indicate that you want to submit something (boot camp people get a separate submission system). They e-mail you back. And you reply to the e-mail with your story as an attached file.
It's perfectly acceptable to put a brief cover letter in the body of the e-mail. I would (and did). And I would mention where you met him.
Do address him as Mr., though.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Thanks for the feedback so far.
I was thinking I should probably use "Mr. Schubert", but it seemed kind of awkward after calling him "Ed" all day. However, I will definitely use the more formal approach.
I've never made an electronic submission before, except for WOTF, so any other advice will be appreciated.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
It's just an e-mail.
Make sure the story is formatted correctly, etc. before you attach it and then don't worry about it.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Make sure you note your OSC writers camp. In fact, I believe their is a backdoor for those who went to one of Orson's classes.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Alas, the "back door" cost $750 and 5 days, and I only commited $350 and two days (though I have often wondered if I shouldn't have gone all-in).
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Well, mention it in you cover letter anyway.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Absolutely.
Posted by Rhaythe (Member # 7857) on :
So on that note, anyone have any idea what the advantage is to pitching a story to an editor versus an agent at a conference?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
I guess I'd say that if the pitch works and you've gotten a nibble, it's only on one story if it's from an editor, but it could be on your whole body of work if it's from an agent.
Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :
Apparently, there is a place on the submission request application that asks if you are a former boot camp attendee. I am not sure what to answer, since I did attend the two-day session. Neither 'no' nor 'yes' would be exact. I suppose I should choose 'no', since I didn't get the secret code to get into the boot camp forums at the bottum of our main page.
Kathleen, do you have any suggestions?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
I'd say "no," philocinemas.
You can explain in the cover letter, and then mention that you met Ed at MystiCon. Something like, "It was great to meet Ed at Mysticon and participate in the writing classes there with him." (Or, "you," as the case may be.)
It would be nice, wouldn't it, if they had a "two-day writing class" option, too.