Writers Ask: What do I do when two publications are interested in the same piece?
Most publications will allow you to simultaneously submit one piece to several different journals at a time. The etiquette, should you receive an acceptance, is to immediately notify all the publications who are considering that same piece that it has been accepted elsewhere and withdraw it from their consideration.
But every once in a while, lightning strikes. Observe:
From Kim:
The situation: I co-wrote a memoir with X and we started submitting excerpts. Got a great bite from (BIG PUB), then got ghosted by the editor there. No more bites. Then on Monday, we heard back from (editor) at (COOL PUB):
"If the work is still available, we're interested in some further conversation. Our editorial team found the writing muscular and moving, but we were also a bit puzzled by questions of authorship.
Can you tell us more about the collaboration?…” (This submission was from 11/2020)
I wrote back with answers to her questions and am waiting for a reply. Then today we heard from (NEAT PUB 2):
"We love this piece and would be honored if we could publish it in the Nov/Dec edition of (NEAT PUB 2) with just a little bit of editing work between you and me...I'd love it if you could respond directly to this message to let me know either way.” (This submission was from 3/2021)
So now I need to figure out how to weigh (COOL PUB)’s maybe and the fact that they replied first with (NEAT PUB 2)’s enthusiastic yes, in a way that might not close any doors initially. I want to be transparent and ethical, but I also don’t want to mess up and lose both opportunities. This situation is entirely new to me. I know NOTHING about the lit mag world and would love any guidance you could offer.
Kim sent this conundrum a few weeks ago. Here’s what I suggested:
Congratulations on getting such great responses! The first thing to do is to email (COOL PUB) again and let them know that you have an offer of publication from another magazine and you'll need to know by X date if they're a yes at (COOL PUB). I would put in the subject line: "Offer received - Time-sensitive" in front of your usual subject line and mark it high priority so they know it needs to be addressed ASAP. If they don't get back by your deadline, you can email (NEAT PUB 2) to let them know you accept.
I wouldn't email (NEAT PUB 2) back yet until you hear from (COOL PUB). I would give (COOL PUB) three business days to respond. Then email (NEAT PUB 2) with your answer, whatever it is. If (COOL PUB) takes it, you can let (NEAT PUB 2) know that the story was in talks at (COOL PUB) and just accepted. If (COOL PUB) doesn't take it, just respond to (NEAT PUB 2) with a happy yes! When it rains, it pours.
So what happened? (COOL PUB) responded to her offer email with congratulations and said they would pass. (NEAT PUB 2) will be happily publishing the piece forthwith.
Long story short, shit happens, editors are people too, and at the end of the day we’re all just trying to do a job and get some art out in the world. Just because conversation isn’t a usual part of submitting to literary journals (it’s usually a form reject or happy accept) doesn’t mean that you can’t email the editor when you do have an unusual situation arise. Just email wisely. ;)
Congrats Kim and I can’t wait to see the piece in print!
UPDATE — Kim went ahead and published her piece with NEAT PUB 2, which ended up being this piece, which ended up being featured as a Longreads essay of the year in 2021, which resulted in the eventual publication of the memoir, SLOW NOODLES: A CAMBODIAN MEMOIR of LOVE, LOSS, and FAMILY RECIPES.
God, I love when good things happen to good people.