There used to be a time when a freelancer would send an essay or article on spec to a publication through snail mail, enclosing a SASE for the return of the piece if they didn't want to use it. That's how you'd know for sure that they weren't interested.
So here's my question: If you send a first-person essay to a newspaper, hoping they'll buy it, but they want it through email and they've indicated they will only respond if they want to purchase the piece--how long do you wait before you determine they don't want to buy it?
I sent one essay to this paper last December. Another one this past February. No responses so far. My main reason for asking is because I want to send the essays somewhere else if this paper is not buying them.
So here's my question: If you send a first-person essay to a newspaper, hoping they'll buy it, but they want it through email and they've indicated they will only respond if they want to purchase the piece--how long do you wait before you determine they don't want to buy it?
I sent one essay to this paper last December. Another one this past February. No responses so far. My main reason for asking is because I want to send the essays somewhere else if this paper is not buying them.