Simultaneous Submissions

Why I don't allow them....

A lot of lit mags allow simultaneous subs. But a lot don't. Micromance Magazine is the latter. Ever wonder why some lit mags don't allow sim subs? Well, wonder no more.

Some EICs wait until their submission period is over before reading submissions and replying. Some EICs read as they go, but wait until subs close to send out replies at one time. Others may read and reply as they go. But no matter the method, the moment a sub hits our inbox and we open it, we're invested in it. Whether a reply comes within hours or weeks, know that most EICs have read your story, read it again and probably read it some more. And they're thinking about it. And, even if they haven't replied yet, they're planning - when to schedule it, or how to place it in their lit mag. Some EICs - the ones who create PDFs or print versions of their mags - design their pages as they go, laying out pieces, deciding which ones compliment each other, what order they work best in. A lot of us have a lot of time and thought invested in a story or poem before we ever email you.

And that's why when, after a couple weeks, a writer emails and withdraws a piece, it's frustrating. Even hurtful. Honestly, it's disrespectful. Especially when the lit mag has already specified “no sim subs.” Granted, not until someone withdraws do we know a piece is a sim sub, but we trust that when a writer submits, they have read our guidelines and agree with them.

Honestly, I've had 3 withdrawn pieces. One before I could reply and it was going to be rejected anyway. But the other 2 were especially irksome, both coming after acceptance, one having been accepted and placed on the calendar. That is not only disrespectful to the lit mag and its staff, but to other contributors and submitters, as well. In the scheduled case, it was a holiday piece, which means space was limited - someone had to be rejected (another good story whose rejection was a hard decision) in order for this story to be placed.

As a writer, I never submitted the same piece to more than one lit mag at a time. Even before understanding the behind-the-scenes aspect of the writing community I thought it a rude thing to do. Most lit mags give a turn around time for responses. And, again, by submitting it's assumed the writer understands that that is the time the editor(s) have given themselves to read, decide and reply, sim subs allowed or not. I don't think it's unreasonable to wait that month or 3 or, if the publications states it, 6. And if that allotted time has elapsed without word, reach out, and then withdraw if you see fit. (I've resolved this year to reply within 7 days. It may be a few more days before I provide a publication date, but you'll promptly know where you stand.)

I like to think I'm a fair EIC…easy going, works well with contributors…respectful of their work … I have guidelines, but I'm not a tyrant about it - go over a few words, no biggie. Need extra time on a sub deadline, just let me know. But the one guideline I'm adamant about is “no simultaneous submissions.” Now you know why. Now you know why most lit mags who don't allow them have made that choice. We work hard, our staffs (the ones who have them) work hard, and we don't want to lose great talent and content, either in the form of withdrawn pieces going to another publication or pieces that were rejected to make room for the pieces of writers that later prove they don't respect the process.

As usual, thanks for all your support, and hope this little article was helpful…..

Gail Lynn, EIC 🥰