Why We Don’t Accept Paper Submissions
Electronic submissions are very convenient for writers and editors. Paper submissions are a nuisance. Here are the reasons we do not accept them:
- On average, we’d waste 400 pages of paper per month and hours of our time printing letters, stuffing envelopes and going to the post office.
- I hate going to the post office.
- I think making you pay to submit a story to us is unfair.
- I think making you waste paper is wrong and inefficient.
- The risk that your submission or our reply is lost is greatly reduced by managing the entire process through an online submissions system.
- Our staff is scattered around the country. A centralized online system for submissions allows us all to share and manage documents efficiently. We can manage slush wherever and whenever we want.
- We receive submissions from all around the world. It should be no more difficult or costly for them to submit a story and get a quick response than it is for someone in my home town.
- I have found it much easier to organize online submissions. My experience as an editor is enhanced by powerful search and reporting tools.
- We receive an average of 400 submissions per month. I don’t have room for all that paper.
- My children would use your stories as scrap paper.
- Paper cuts are too painful. (Thanks pabba)