Last August, I submitted a manuscript (a non-NaNo novel) to Ellora's Cave. According to their guidelines, it takes a month or two to go through the initial screening process. Then it's supposed to take anywhere from two to twelve months to get a response. Here's my questions:
1.) Should I send them a follow-up email now or wait until August?
2.) If you've published there, how long did it take for you to receive a response?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
----------
My blog -- Two Shots of Sweetness, One Shot of Naughty
50,657 / 50,000
juin 25, 2008 - 06 34
I'm always afraid to send followups since I don't want to seem like I'm bugging them and/or desperate; I haven't submitted to Ellora, but so far, everyone I HAVE submitted to keeps to the schedule they give, and respond pretty promptly within that time frame. (Twelve months is pretty extreme, though. The worse I waited was six, and that was for an agent who does all his own reading... and he gives a personalized response, even.)
60,054 / 50,000
juin 25, 2008 - 06 45
If they are within their posted guidelines, then wait until that time period has expired.
----------Heather
Forums Moderator
58,830 / 50,000
juin 25, 2008 - 13 55
I write for Ellora's Cave. First off, did you receive a confirmation email that they received your submission? They have an automated reply system that sends one the same day, so if you didn't get one, they might not have gotten your submission.
Have you received anything since you sent it? If not, query them about it. That's always your best bet. EC are a friendly, professional bunch, they'd much prefer you to query them with your questions than get information second hand from other authors. I'd go ahead and send a query either asking if the submission had been received (if you never got the confirmation) or if you did get a conf. then querying on the status. Don't worry, they're busy folks but no one is going to bite your head off or think you're impatient or anything if you query professionally and politely.
As I said, they prefer authors ask them directly regarding concerns or timelines and such, so go ahead, it'll be fine.
Good luck, let us know how it goes!
Fae Sutherland
----------66,147 / 50,000
juin 25, 2008 - 18 00
I received a confirmation email the day after I sent my submission.. I haven't received anything since then, but according to their guidelines they still have about seven weeks left before I start getting a little anxious.
I'm in the process of editing last year's NaNo novel so I can submit that to Ellora's Cave later this year. This "waiting by the computer" thing is all new to me, so I feel a little nervous it's taken this long. If they're busy, I understand. They probably get tons of submissions all the time.
Thanks for the support. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they like me.
----------My blog -- Two Shots of Sweetness, One Shot of Naughty
58,830 / 50,000
juin 25, 2008 - 18 55
By my understanding, the 2-12 month timeline is on full requests, not initial queries. If it's been 10 months without a peep, I'd personally drop a quick, polite email inquiring about the status of your submission. It's possible an email's gone astray in the cybermist, it happens.
I hope you get good news, keep us posted!
Fae
----------66,147 / 50,000
juin 25, 2008 - 22 09
I looked at my "Saved" email folder and I forgot that I sent them a courtesy email three months ago. It read that the initial review is up to 2 months, and a final decision could take up to 12 months after that. So it's possible I'll be waiting until October if my math's correct. And according to the email reply the timeline applies with initial submissions.
In the meantime, I'll just get last year's NaNoWriMo ready for submission and think about what I'm going to write about this year.
----------My blog -- Two Shots of Sweetness, One Shot of Naughty
58,830 / 50,000
juin 26, 2008 - 09 16
That's one of the best things you can do, submit and then get to work on the next book while you wait. I will say this, EC is well worth the wait! :)
----------66,147 / 50,000
juin 26, 2008 - 17 40
Thanks for the support, Fae. I really appreciate it. :-)
----------My blog -- Two Shots of Sweetness, One Shot of Naughty