Is it bad to send a story submission overseas? I am thinking about sending one of my stories to The Edge, which is in London, and they don't do online submissions. I've never sent a submission overseas before. Heck, I haven't even sent one by mail before. What precautions, if any, should I take before doing this? Or is it all right? How can I be sure that it doesn't get lost or something, and that I am waiting for nothing if it's not pending?
Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :
I have no clue about the legal aspects, if that is what you are worried about. But they can't publish it if you don't send it! I'm pretty sure England is as advanced as the USA, so you pretty much have to worry about the same stuff you'd have to worry about with submissions here.
Posted by C@R3Y (Member # 9669) on :
Thanks, Teraen. I was just worried because I've never done it before, sending overseas or in the mail in general. But I'll probably just send it out today. Thanks =]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
C@R3Y, as with any manuscript submission, if you want them to respond, you need to provide a way for them to do that at their convenience.
If you send a manuscript to a publisher in your own country, you should include an extra envelope, addressed to you with the publisher's return address, and enough postage to return your manuscript (if you want it back) and/or a rejection or acceptance letter.
If you don't want the manuscript back (postage costs compared to printing a new copy costs are a consideration), just include a stamped business-sized envelope addressed to you, and say in the cover letter that your manuscript is disposable (or recyclable).
If you send a manuscript to a publisher in another country, an ennvelope with your country's postage on it is not going to be of any use to them. If you want to pay for the return of the manuscript, you will need to purchase enough International Reply Coupons to pay for the manuscript return, and include those.
It's best not to worry about the return of your manuscript, though, because that can get much more expensive than just printing another copy.
The quickest and easiest way for publishers to respond to you in these days is by email, so be sure to include your email address in your cover letter, and put it with your mailing address on the first page of your manuscript.
Posted by C@R3Y (Member # 9669) on :
Thank you, Mrs. Woodbury. That really helps. I am not looking for a return of my manuscript. So that does work. And I will be sure to include my e-mail when I send it out.
Thanks.
Posted by MartinV (Member # 5512) on :
Hell, publish it online indie style and you don't have to worry about borders and seas.
Posted by C@R3Y (Member # 9669) on :
Yeah. But this magazine, The Edge, doesn't take submissions through e-mail. I researched them a bit and I feel like my story would do well there. Plus, I would rather try my hand, first, at a magazine that could potential pay me 250 - 300 euros, whatever that is in US dollars, rather than a magazine that pays like 10 dollars. It's worth a shot anyway and I don't have anything to lose. Trying all the big ones out first, to see if this story sticks or not. I believe in this story. It's one of my favorites out of all the ones that I have written. And if it doesn't stick, then I will just move onto the next one. No harm, no fowl.
Posted by EVOC (Member # 9381) on :
People publish in overseas markets all the time. As long as their submission guidelines don't prohibit international submissions, send it. Follow KDW's advice about postage and such.
Also, follow their submission format guidelines. I was recently reading that one of the fastest ways to the rejection pile is to send them something formatted (in appearance) different then what they want. If they have nothing listed about formatting, best to use standard Manuscript format.
Posted by C@R3Y (Member # 9669) on :
Oh yes. I ALWAYS make sure, multiple times over, that my submission matches their guidelines. I never send out anything unless I am 100% sure that it is correct format and everything.
And I will most deffinitely listen to KDW's advice. T'was the plan. x]