AHMM response time

[I. J. Parker]

We had a thread a few months ago about the length of time it takes AHMM to respond to story submissions.  I submitted back in July.  When I received no word by the end of September, I sent a polite e-mail, asking if it got there. I was told that they were running behind.

Well, by Christmas it will be 5 months, and still no answer.  I've published with AHMM from the beginning, have always given them exclusives, and have never had a story turned down after the first one.  In 2000 I won a Shamus with a story in AHMM.  So I'm upset.

 

Since this isn't fair to a writer (we don't give publishers exclusives on a ms. for more than a month), I have just withdrawn my submission.  And believe me, that was hard to do, since I got my start there and have always felt very grateful.

 

The story is important to me.  It's one of my best, I think.  Not sure what to do next.

[I. J. Parker]

Thanks, Pepper.

[J. E. Seymour]

I'll keep waiting, although despite the encouraging notes, I am beginning to doubt she will ever take one of mine.  Oh well.

[I. J. Parker]

Hang in there, and good luck!  And if not, don't forget EQMM.