Possible problem with an editor.

[LindsayRae]

I am sorry if this is the wrong board to post this in, but I'm not sure where it belongs.

I was wondering if it was "common" or not to have an editor say that they'll look at your story and then after several weeks (and a couple of quick PMs) you don't hear from them again.

I'm sure that I'm being paranoid, but I keep checking the story side of Lit to see if a "different author" submits something similar to my work.

 

[lovecraft68]

I am sorry if this is the wrong board to post this in, but I'm not sure where it belongs.

I was wondering if it was "common" or not to have an editor say that they'll look at your story and then after several weeks (and a couple of quick PMs) you don't hear from them again.

I'm sure that I'm being paranoid, but I keep checking the story side of Lit to see if a "different author" submits something similar to my work.

I understand the paranoia but most likely the editor was just another one of those fly by nights who thinks they want to edit, changes their mind and does not have the decency to let you know. It happens all the time. In a year I have been through ten editors.

 

[_Lynn_]

I don't know if I would say it's common or not, but it happens. The person most likely intended to follow through as agreed. However, real life has a way of interfering. And for most people, the priority is real life. Illnesses, jobs, and family all take time. Any unexpected issues will impact those good intentions of editing.

Finding the story posted but with another name on it would be a new one on me. I suggest you look for a new editor and forget about the previous one.

 

[LindsayRae]

Thanks for the info, lovecraft.

I thought it was funny when he PMed (one of the couple) asking for my E-mail address when I sent my story to him VIA mail.

 

[LindsayRae]

I don't know if I would say it's common or not, but it happens. The person most likely intended to follow through as agreed. However, real life has a way of interfering. And for most people, the priority is real life. Illnesses, jobs, and family all take time. Any unexpected issues will impact those good intentions of editing.

Finding the story posted but with another name on it would be a new one on me. I suggest you look for a new editor and forget about the previous one.

Thank you, Lynn. I totally understand about real life getting in the way. That's why I hadn't tried to "take any action" before now, but when I saw this person offering to edit for other people and the "last active online at Lit" date I figured I was being snubbed personally.

 

[_Lynn_]

Thanks for the info, lovecraft.

I thought it was funny when he PMed (one of the couple) asking for my E-mail address when I sent my story to him VIA mail.

This confuses me. Why did he want it sent via mail and not online?

 

[LindsayRae]

It was online. E-mail. I just didn't type out/spell out "E" mail both times I mentioned it in my last post.

 

[_Lynn_]

It was online. E-mail. I just didn't type out/spell out "E" mail both times I mentioned it in my last post.

All right.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't see, under the circumstances, why you don't name the "editor," Lindsay. There may be others in the same boat or about to be put there.

 

[LindsayRae]

I thought that might be rude. Wasn't sure if I should or not.

 

[sr71plt]

I thought that might be rude. Wasn't sure if I should or not.

Any more rude than someone saying they'll edit your work and then never doing so or responding to your follow communication?

First, as I noted, you might be helping protect others on Literotica.

Second, it could be there's some logical explanation for the breakdown in communications that will be cleared up when someone sees that something was expected from them in a broken link.

 

[roomfor1more]

Hi Lindsay,

I would have to say it is uncommon. When I look at someone's work I tell them when I expect to have it done and if they have PM me, to ask me, I will send a PM message back to them letting them know to check their email for my reply.

 

[LindsayRae]

Thanks for your insight too, roomfor.


The editor in question is Kansasjack. He PMed me saying that he would be willing to edit my stories. So, I wrote back asking if he wanted it in E-mail or PMs, etc. So, I sent it off in mail and did have a quick reply saying he received it. A few days or so later he PMed asking me for my E-mail address (which was odd since I sent the story off in that fashion) and then I never heard from him again. Upon peeking at Lit he was "last active" on the 14th and before that date offered to edit for another author.

 

[LissaSue]

I've had the same issue with him. Try not to worry about it and just let it roll baby. We're here for ya! ;-)

 

[sr71plt]

I'd be afraid that this poster is collecting e-mail addresses for some nefarious purpose. I'd probably report it to Laurel in case it matches a pattern.

 

[MicKay]

I had a similar experience with an editor who basically disappeared. Understanding that she volunteered her services and had the right to move on, I never emailed w/ "hey, you've had that chapter for a month now. When are you going to send it back?" but I wonder if I should have. I just didn't want to bother her if she had real life issues demanding her time. Before I found a replacement, I did verify that her other authors had found new editors.

 

[autoplot]

If I went more than ten days without checking in with an author I'd consider myself quite rude. And if I didn't want to work with them anymore, I'd just say so (and have) -- I'd never just leave them hanging. That's just shitty.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

If I went more than ten days without checking in with an author I'd consider myself quite rude. And if I didn't want to work with them anymore, I'd just say so (and have) -- I'd never just leave them hanging. That's just shitty.

A responsible, well-intentioned editor will acknowledge receipt of a story and provide an expected delivery date. And then. every few days, advise the writer what the story status is. Still in line, getting edited with an expected completion date, etc.

I'm a believer in feedback. This nonsense about sending to some emial in a black hole and waiting for weeks is utter nonense.

PM me, I'll see what I can do. May be a week or more, but at least you'll know where you stand.

 

[sr71plt]

If the editor has given an estimated return date, I don't see any need for periodic interim updates. I see no need for checks until/unless the return date isn't going to be met.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

If the editor has given an estimated return date, I don't see any need for periodic interim updates. I see no need for checks until/unless the return date isn't going to be met.

That's just my style, SR. I realize that as a writer anxious to have a story returned, the more feedback the better. You're accustomed to writing and deadlines but I am not, so I try and keep the writers appraised of the status. I know I don't need to, but I choose to.

I go the extra mile, and there is no added cost to the price. Free + free = free