As a submissions editor, I generally take one to two days to respond to an unsolicited query -- unfortunately that's usually with a canned response that basically says "You didn't read our submissions guidelines, did you?"
IF the query contains the information we request in the body of the email, and if that information tells me the book is something we could publish if we like it, then, I will check the attached files. If those are what we requested, and the query sounds interesting, the manuscript goes to an editor I think might make a good match, and the editor has two weeks to review the manuscript to see if it's something she wants to edit -- and, more importantly, if you sound like an author she's going to want to work with for the next decade.
Your book doesn't have to be perfect. It has to tell a great story within the boundaries of our guidelines. We won't change our minimum and max word count just for you. We won't help you rewrite the book if the characters are flat and the story line is boring and or cliché. If every set of dialog punctuation is wrong, you’re going to have to fix that before we start edits. But any number of minor grammar issues can be overcome by a great story, characters we love, and a willingness to work hard at polishing and promoting your work. There are three possible editor responses: 1) No, thanks, 2) I like this but it needs revisions or rewrites before I can edit it, or 3) Sign this author up.
The advantage to PitchFest is, you should be past all the initial stages of "will this work for us." You go straight to your potential editor. Note that this ONLY works if you follow the instructions to put "Pitchfest" in the subject line of the email, and, of course, follow the query guidelines, which tell you specifically what to include with your completed manuscript.
Margaret Riley
Publisher & Submissions Editor
ChangelingPress.com
