SiteYou Ask, We Answer: When should I follow up on a query?
Karen writes: “I have a pretty good system for tracking and following up on queries, but one situation keeps tripping me up: Right now, I have 4 queries that 4 magazines have said they are still considering or are passing along up the editorial chain. One of them told me this as long as 2 months ago; the others, anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks ago. In this situation, at what point do you follow up again? I don’t want to be a pest, but I don’t like letting a good idea languish in limbo for weeks on end, either. Especially if they’re going to come back eventually with a ‘no.’ Related question: After following up a query, how long do you wait for a response before you submit the idea somewhere else?”
Don’t you hate that? The editors get you all excited about the idea of scoring an assignment, and then leave you hanging for months. Unfortunately, this is not unusual, and I’m sure it’s because at every step up the editorial ladder as your idea gets passed around, your query sits in a pile on some busy editor’s desk for weeks.
Once an editor shows interest (or even if she doesn’t), I typically follow up within two to three weeks. I have no idea if this works better than waiting for less time or more time, as this is the way I’ve done it for years. But it seems to me to be a fair amount of time. Also, if your idea is timely and you run the risk of your idea becoming outdated if you wait too long for a reply, you can always say, “Since this is a timely idea, I hope to hear from you by X.” If you’re one of those people who are afraid to simultaneously submit queries and date X passes without a word, you’re free to send your query elsewhere.
As for your related question: I have a complex calculation I use to determine who to send ideas to when. For example, if I know and love the editor, I’ll give her an exclusive look at the query, and I’ll give her more time than I would give an editor I know only slightly (for example, an editor I know only from pitching). On the other hand, if I’m pitching to editors who don’t know me from Adam, I’ll simultaneously submit. The idea is that the more I’ve worked with an editor, the likelier she is to buy my idea, so I’m willing to give her an exclusive and to wait longer. Through trial and error you’ll come up with a method that suits you.
Got a question for the Renegade Writers? Send it to us at questions [at] therenegadewriter [dot] com. [lf]
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