The follow-up to gracefully rescinding a literary agent's offer of representation.
Rescinding a magazine's offer.
Moving from last week’s publishing tip (How to rescind an offer: The Book Edition) we are on to The Magazine Edition.
Fortunately for those who read last week’s, The Mag. Ed. is remarkably similar in concept and execution. As previously, you send an email:
the subject line: OFFER FOR PUBLICATION for [Name of your piece and date you submitted]; and
a couple sentences saying you've had an offer but would prefer to publish with them.
Finish: Would it work for you to have an answer to me by the end of the week/next Tuesday/so-and-so date—whatever makes sense for your needs.
They will hop to read your piece. I’ve only ever received congrats on my acceptances, and in some cases, invitations to re-submit.
In one fabulous instance, the famed Dele Peck (yes, that Dale Peck) sent me an email saying he hoped I had something else in the same vein.
After he published That in the Same Vein, Dale asked if I’d ever considered a novel. As I had one all written, he referred me to several agents.
The novel in that vein:
Thank you! This is a great piece of information. I will keep it in mind when I find myself in this situation. Last time, I just went with the first place that offered because I was afraid to wait around for my preferred pub to respond. But when I withdrew the item from the preferred pub, they congratulated me on finding a home for it because they thought it was really great. Next time, I will try this method. Who knows? They might have published it instead of the other place. Not that publishing is ever a bad thing.