This is my last comment on this subject as I'm sure that everybody must be fed up with it by now.

This thread has left me with the question of how unreasonable / unrealistic / naive I am in expecting a reply from an editor? To me it seems a matter of common courtesy if nothing else (especially when, in case of non-electronic mail, one encloses an IRC).

I'm not at all sure that I'd want to submit something to an editor with a "you'll-find-out-whether-I've-accepted-your-story-when-you-get-your-contribu tor's-copy" policy. (Please note I'm talking about *policies*, not about editors who occasionally get snowed under in real life affairs.)

This discussion has made me realise how lucky I've been in most of my dealings with editors. Judith Proctor, Andrew Williams, Neil Faulkner and the Avon club have all been extremely responsive, supportive and stimulating. My experience with Horizon has been positive since they've changed their procedure, which leaves only Ashton Press persisting in its long silence. If my experiences are anything to go by, this means that the responsive editors by far outweigh the silent ones.

Marian