COLUMN: IT'S YOUR TURN

In this column we will be asking you for your thoughts and opinions on provocative, and other, issues relevant to writers. We will publish those replies that are particularly apropos to the topic at hand.

To Sim or Not to Sim

By Mary Anne Donovan

Several weeks ago we asked you to pass on your thoughts about simultaneous submissions.

Here's what you said:

"Well, I often send 'sim subs' (by the way, never heard of this term – I call it triple-quadruple – whatever – dipping) to non-competing publications which gets me around the guilt. But I often do this with reprints that have appeared elsewhere (again, in non-competing markets). Can't get rich on this, but you certainly can add some spare change to your pocket! – Marcia Passos Duffy, Freelance Writer and Publicity Consultant, New Hampshire, USA

"I believe that publishers and agents, whether small or major players in the industry, should allow simultaneous submissions." – Judy Croome, Johannesburg, South Africa

"In some cases sim subs are the only answer, although there would be no necessity for sim subs if editors responded promptly. They don't for various reasons, so why should I tie up a time-relevant piece, which took me time and effort to create, while one editor mulls over a decision? After six weeks or more, when the piece has become outdated, it will certainly be a rejection, anyway. This of course means no fee, which in turn means I've wasted my time and effort in providing a complete article to this editor in the first place, and that the article is now worthless.

In many cases though, time constraints preclude the submission of an outline, so the entire time-sensitive article is submitted in the vain hope of a speedy reply.

It can certainly be helpful to establish in advance if a publication is willing to consider sim subs. Sim subs put the ball firmly in the writer's court, rather than having the writer wait hopefully for a return lob from an Editor who may take months to simply say "No thanks!" With 5 or 6 editors considering the piece simultaneously, and each editor aware of the fact that it is a sim sub, the likelihood of a sale is greatly increased.

Either editors have to arrange a much more efficient turn-around time for acceptance/rejection (which I can't see happening) or they have to accept that freelance writers want to make a living too, rather than be treated like age-old serfs, to be used or disposed of at the whim of a master. Freelance writer doesn't mean slave.

So tell the editors that your work is a sim sub, and sell it to the first one to offer a reasonable payment. If someone doesn't like it, then maybe they'll be motivated to reply more speedily next time you offer time-sensitive material." – Jim Adams

"I write short fiction poetry and nonfiction. I’ve been receiving your free e-mail newsletter for some time. I am so happy to hear that WriterOnline has been announced among one of the best Websites for writers. Congratulations! As for simultaneous submissions, I do feel that it is absurd to expect writers wait months before they can submit a piece to any other magazine/site. There should be some rule like allowing simultaneous submissions in case the response time of a magazine is over two weeks. If the response time is too long, it is wasting a writer’s effort he/she invests in earning something out of his creativity." – Karim Khan, Hangu, Pakistan

QUESTION FOR THIS ISSUE: Since we are dealing with the theme of Internet resources in this issue, what are your thoughts about using net-based sources as credible research?

Send your responses to: editor@writer-on-line.com