Freelancers and saying no?
- Thread starter RangerWickett
- Start date
JVisgaitis
Explorer
If its something that's of poor quality, I usually say it doesn't adhere to our established style and I provide a link to our online gallery. You really should send a reply and if it does have merit, let them know.
Goddess FallenAngel
Explorer
I vote for sending a reply.
As a writer myself, if I never get a reply then I wonder if the publisher even received the item or bothered to open the email/letter.
I personally prefer polite critique on why my submission was not accepted. Preferably something more than a one-sentence answer, but even that is better than nothing. I also like what some of the other posters are saying, about directing the writer to another publisher if the submission just isn't your type of thing.
And, well, if it is truly horrible and you just can't come up with a polite critique, then something along the lines of "Thank you for your submission, but it does not fit our needs at this time" is in order. You will get truly horrible stuff, it's all part of being a publisher.
As a writer myself, if I never get a reply then I wonder if the publisher even received the item or bothered to open the email/letter.
I personally prefer polite critique on why my submission was not accepted. Preferably something more than a one-sentence answer, but even that is better than nothing. I also like what some of the other posters are saying, about directing the writer to another publisher if the submission just isn't your type of thing.
And, well, if it is truly horrible and you just can't come up with a polite critique, then something along the lines of "Thank you for your submission, but it does not fit our needs at this time" is in order. You will get truly horrible stuff, it's all part of being a publisher.
Charke
Explorer
Wizards of the Coast has always sent me replies for their submission contests or open-calls. I consider that to be amazing. I felt the feedback was really important. Basically they told me what they didn't like in my articles. That was valuable.
I've been a writer for a while and the editing classes I struggle through basically teach you how to take negative feedback (pages of red marks) and turn it into a valuable experience - a tool for correction. I've seen people freak out after a "good" edit gets handed back to them.
Wizards told me what was wrong with my work without putting me down. So it's a matter of taking your honest feedback and taking out any frustration at the "totally crappy peice of crap they sent" and suggesting that "the structure needs to be better designed and implemented". Good luck!
Mark Charke
I've been a writer for a while and the editing classes I struggle through basically teach you how to take negative feedback (pages of red marks) and turn it into a valuable experience - a tool for correction. I've seen people freak out after a "good" edit gets handed back to them.
Wizards told me what was wrong with my work without putting me down. So it's a matter of taking your honest feedback and taking out any frustration at the "totally crappy peice of crap they sent" and suggesting that "the structure needs to be better designed and implemented". Good luck!
Mark Charke
guildofblades
First Post
We get a literal metric ton of submissions every year. Both in e-mails and in hard copies sent to us. This in spite that our company page at our site is fairly specific in the very limited materials and information we are interested in seeing. As such, all submissions that fall under a category that we have not listed as being something we desire to receive submissions on are flatly ignored. Submissions where an artist sends a link to a portfolio online either get deleted or filed away, depending on upon review we think that we might have a use for the artists for some future contract. They will get contacted if that day comes and we wish to negotiate with them for their services.
Now, that is based entirely on what we have posted on our company page. All essentially unsolicited. If we actively solicit for persons of a particular creative type and they reply, then as the initiator of the communication, it is only right that we respond to each submission regardless of what our thoughts or decisions on its potential use may be.
Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Publishing Group
http://www.guildofblades.com
http://www.1483online.com
http://www.thermopylae-online.com
Now, that is based entirely on what we have posted on our company page. All essentially unsolicited. If we actively solicit for persons of a particular creative type and they reply, then as the initiator of the communication, it is only right that we respond to each submission regardless of what our thoughts or decisions on its potential use may be.
Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Publishing Group
http://www.guildofblades.com
http://www.1483online.com
http://www.thermopylae-online.com
Twin Rose
First Post
In the software industry, we flatly ignore and delete all unsolicited submissions. Opening a solicitation opens you to a lawsuit should you, or your company, have a similar idea. If you state, without exception, that you will not accept ANY submission - then if you happen to use a similar idea, you have a much better leg to stand on in the whole "coincidence" line of defense.
This isn't what you asked in your post though. How do you tell someone it's crap? Well... You tell them. "This isn't publishable material." There are easier ways, of course. "We've decided to go another way," is always good, especially if it's true. Being honest is, generally, a good idea. Avoid questions such as, "Why?". That might lead you into telling him, "It's crap." If you can find NOTHING about the work that is worth using, then you will be doing him a service by saying, "It's crap." Otherwise, focus on what is good, and tell him how to improve what is bad.
This isn't what you asked in your post though. How do you tell someone it's crap? Well... You tell them. "This isn't publishable material." There are easier ways, of course. "We've decided to go another way," is always good, especially if it's true. Being honest is, generally, a good idea. Avoid questions such as, "Why?". That might lead you into telling him, "It's crap." If you can find NOTHING about the work that is worth using, then you will be doing him a service by saying, "It's crap." Otherwise, focus on what is good, and tell him how to improve what is bad.
RangerWickett
Legend
On the "it's crap" front, I would have much fewer compunctions telling a writer that he's bad than telling an artist. Even though I receive a mind-bogglingly high number of submissions from artists who . . . well, who have not moved beyond an amateur level, I don't want to discourage them from art.
DaveMage
Slumbering in Tsar
RangerWickett said:
Art is so subjective, though, that what some might consider "amateurish" is mind-blowing awesome to others.
Of course, I think the stick figures in OOTS are better than most of the art in d20 books, so you probably shouldn't pay any attention to me.
Eytan Bernstein
Explorer
I would say the following if you aren't interested in the idea or if the writing is terrible:
"Dear so and so,
We appreciate your interest in working with _________ publishing/games, but we are not interested in your proposal at this time. We encourage you to continue writing and wish you luck in your career."
If it was good, but not something you're looking for, say:
"Dear so and so,
We appreciate your proposal, but it does not fit into our current production schedule. We do, however, think that your idea has significant merit. We suggest you contact _______ at _________ publishing/games."
"Dear so and so,
We appreciate your interest in working with _________ publishing/games, but we are not interested in your proposal at this time. We encourage you to continue writing and wish you luck in your career."
If it was good, but not something you're looking for, say:
"Dear so and so,
We appreciate your proposal, but it does not fit into our current production schedule. We do, however, think that your idea has significant merit. We suggest you contact _______ at _________ publishing/games."
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