Reply time

[tomlitilia]

A question for you editors: How long does it usually take for you to get back to authors that contact you and ask if you're willing to edit?

My experience is that most either reply within a day or two, or don't reply at all. I find that the latter happens in about 80% of the cases when contacting someone from the Volunteer Editor Program list. On average, finding an editor will therefore take about five times as long as the time spent before giving up and asking someone else. It would be nice to minimize that time if possible and I therefore wonder if my hunch that moving on after just a couple of days is the right thing to do.

Note: this is not a passive aggressive complaint about lazy editors. I am well aware that everybody does this without compensation, and no one should expect to get more than they pay for.

 

[Todger65]

I would say 2 to 3 days to allow for time zones and personal requirements, but once you have a contact with an editor, always ask for an estimate for the processing time of the text.

The editors database is a waste of time as many profiles are well out of date and therefore not likely to get a response. Best option is to select from those indicating available in the sticky post at the top of the editors forum.

 

[LadyVer]

I reply within 24 hours. My VE profile is disabled because I have limited time to edit as I work full time and I edit only a few categories and themes.

 

[tishadomina]

I try and reply within a day, even if just to say that I'm not interested.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't suggest you try the VE listings at all. You'll hear quicker--by someone who is interested--by posting your need on this forum, contacting one of the editors who has declared availability in a given month (sticky thread at the top of this forum list), or setting up a reading share (another sticky thread at the top of this list).

 

[Tigersman]

Time frame

I normally get back to the author within 24 hours or less. If they have not indicated the story category, length of the story and what they want in the way of editing, then I ask all these questions. If I receive an unsolicited story and it does not happen to be in an area I'm comfortable with, then I may not reply.

 

[pghfriendly]

I try to respond within 48 hours, even if I can't help out.