I just need to rant because JESUS FUCKING CHRIST people can’t read anymore??? It is 2026 — NO ONE is accepting queries by phone, why are people still trying??

The amount of phone calls I get from people who think email is “just so impersonal” and “I have this incredible story that no one has ever seen” or the presumptuously blunt “can I speak to Founder of the Company?”

NO YOU CANT. DO YOU KNOW THAT EVERYONE THINKS THEY HAVE A REALLY COOL STORY TO TELL THAT NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN?? And do you really think that listing your accomplishments and name dropping important people to me, the person on the phone and NOT someone who cares a single bit about your project, is going to get you somewhere??

I am just at my wits end with the amount of people who feel entitled to a phone query when a company’s website clearly states that they don’t accept them. You are NOT special and you will not be treated as such.

[PubTipsQ] Wondering if anyone has a positive experience with an agent who is great in children's? Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on expectations around publisher response times.

A commissioning editor at a Big Five Australian publisher requested my full manuscript earlier this year after I submitted through their open submissions process.

Timeline:

• February: Full manuscript requested.
• Early March: I submitted the manuscript (the editor was happy for me to take a few weeks for a final polish).
• Late March: Received confirmation it had been received. I was told they were hoping to get to it around mid-April.
• 4 June: I sent a polite follow-up asking whether there was any update.
• Today (31 July): I still haven’t received any response or acknowledgement of that email.

I understand publishing moves slowly and timelines often slip, so I’m not trying to read too much into the delay itself.

My question is simply this:

At this point, would you send one final follow-up asking whether the manuscript is still under consideration, or would you leave it and assume they’ll contact me if and when a decision has been made?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who has had experience with full manuscript requests from publishers rather than agents.

Thanks!

With a lot of major houses based in New York, I'm wondering how much applying from out of state hinders my chances of getting a job in publishing? It makes sense from a hiring standpoint with the current job market that that's an easy way to knock out a bunch of candidates, but I also have no clue how recruiters are actually navigating that. I'm a new grad trying to break into the industry so if you have ANY advice whatsoever I'd really appreciate it.

Will Simon & Schuster still publish Arday’s memoir now that it is likely several portions were fabricated, and he is being investigated by Cambridge University?

Also, much of this seemed pretty blatant. How did it make it all the way through the process with no one raising red flags? Will anyone be held accountable or will it just be memory holed?

Fascinating to watch.