Turnaround Part Two

[PrevertOne]

I hesitate to post this, since it touches on matters of etiquette, but my curiosity has won over caution. My question refers to the turnaround between submitting a story to an editor and the return of said story. Previous editors I used generally had my story back within two to three days. If the length of the turnaround extends into weeks, should I start to worry? Now I factor in editors are also busy with work and domestic issues, or health, or personal problems, plus other stories. I don't fire off requests for progress reports every two seconds but, if a story hasn't been returned within, say, a similar period based on previous editors turnaround, what is the etiquette for looking for a new one? Do I wait, maybe, another week or month? Is two to three weeks a reasonable time or is it too long or short? I'm posting here instead of the Editor's Forum because, as authors who've likely used editors, you might have run into this issue.

 

[Stella_Omega]

My suggestion is to prod.

From my personal experience-- I have had to learn to turn down editing requests because i just won't get to them. It was difficult to become honest about that! I'm betting a lot of people are in the same situation.

 

[JackLuis]

Send a query to them and check whether they sent it back but had a e-mail glitch.

I just had a case of that recently. Sometimes the cyber-postman is stupid.

 

[PrevertOne]

Queries and Patience

What if queries are sent spaced several days to a week apart? How long is an author permitted to be patient?

 

[JackLuis]

Try one more time with a return receipt and if they don't respond.

Try another VE. It can be a bitch to get an edit.

 

[Stella_Omega]

What if queries are sent spaced several days to a week apart? How long is an author permitted to be patient?

That would be up to the author. If you run out of time, then there is no time left, right?