Manuscprit and SASE's?

Question

If you do not enclose an SASE for your manuscript and the publisher accepts your work, will they not contact you because you have not enclosed an SASE? In other words, to save on postage I plan on simply enclosing an SASE letter sized envelope instead of an SASE 9 by 12 inch sized envelope which holds the manuscript. Will a publisher be 'put off' if you do not enclose a 9 by 12 inch envelope and just a letter size envelope?

Answer 1

Publishers vary on this, but it is generally acceptable to not send a full sized SASE if you state that the manuscript does not need to be returned (if you don't state it, that is bad form as well).

However, something to take into consideration is what sort of message this sends publishers. When I had the opportunity to ask a publisher about this, I was told "If you don't care about your manuscript, why should I?"

Answer 2

If you do not require the manuscripted returned, all you have to do is say such in your cover letter. You can include a sentence such as:

"I have enclosed an SASE for your reply. Please note it is not neccessary to return the entire manuscript."

The publisher will appreciate the clarification, and will know that he does not have to worry about the manuscript if he choses not to accept it.

Answer 3

Almost nobody wants their ms. back, in my experience. I use the heading on p. 1 to write "Disposable Copy" and enclose an SASE to hold a reply, not the manuscript.

Consider that it's probably cheaper now to print a new copy than to mail one back to its author--especially one that may be a little tattered after being read, and therefore wouldn't appear crisp and new enough to submit elsewhere.

Answer 4

They usually do not send manuscripts back, the envelope of a normal size suffice, and it is for rejections. If they like you, they will call.

Answer 5

The publisher will be looking more for the letter sived envelope from you so they can send a letter back to you.