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Perhaps you've seen this happen already. Perhaps not. What matters is that you want to be published. You live and breathe for it. You can taste and smell the ink. You constantly think of everything, trying not to overlook one small detail that might cause you to stumble. You've included an SASE. Your manuscript is perfect. Not a smudge one to mar its beauty. Formatted to precision, completely in step with the publisher's guidelines. Despite your careful work, there's still one thing you simply can't do much about. What happens if the publisher goes under? Will you know? How can you tell?
Well, it's often hard to tell when the breathing has stopped in a publication. Of course, there are market reports. However, even those can be out of date or uninformed about a particular market, especially if the publication is small or new. Generally, it's safe to deal with a publisher whose publication is in its umpteenth issue or it's listed as being in good health in a market report. It's not so safe dealing with a brand new publication when so many fail to even get born.
Don't let that stop you, though. New publications are an excellent place for new writers to break into publishing. Though the rewards are few, the opportunities for exposure and learning they offer more than compensate. Still, you need to know how to take their pulse so you don't waste your efforts on another victim of the publishing industry. The following hints might save you some time and energy, not to mention postage.
First off, if the publication has a web page on the Internet, check the date of the last update. If the web page is over four months old, then the chances are slim that the publication is in good health unless it simply put up the page to give strictly the guidelines and mailing address. If the actual publication is carried on the web page and it's over four months old, chances are that it's dying or dead. You have to use your own judgment as to the purpose of the web page. However, this isn't the only determinant.
Send an email letter to the address, presuming that an email address is given. If the email comes back with an error or isn't answered, you've an indication once more that the publication isn't healthy. If it is answered, then you'll have the freshest knowledge as to the publication's health. Most publishers are honest and will admit when the publication is dead.
If a publication doesn't have a web site, then you'll have to resort to letters and phone calls when the publication isn't listed in market reports. Remember that you need to include an SASE in your letter if you expect to get an answer back. If you don't know why, just think of the publisher trying to answer hundreds of letters like yours and how expensive that can become quickly. If you make a phone call, assuming that you know or can get the telephone number, then make it brief and professional. Remember, too, that you can't reverse the charges. The publisher can't make a go of it if everyone expects a free ride. If you get an answer here, once more, you'll have the freshest information possible.
Please remember that there are legitimate reasons why a publisher doesn't answer you quickly or at all. Sometimes, you might even find yourself volunteering to do some work for the publisher to make the publication succeed. Don't laugh. It's an excellent way to make contacts and establish credibility about your desire to be a writer. As well, you might find that some publishers are willing to give you more of a critique or education in return.
If you already sent a manuscript to a dead publication, go ahead and send a new copy of it to another that's still in business. If not, count yourself lucky that you saved some postage and pick out another publication that's still breathing for your work. Whatever you do, don't give up. Just remember that publication success might not happen as quickly as you imagined or even in the manner you first thought. However, if you're determined and use some common sense and professionalism, you can succeed.