[Physics Knight]

Yet another technical, nit-picky question from yours truly :p The publisher I'm sending to says if you include a self-addressed-stamped postcard, they'll mail it back to let you know they got your submission . I've never mailed a postcard before. So:

1) In general do postcards have return addresses, or is it just the one sender address?
2) Do I write anything on it, like "We've received your submission." for them or will they write on it? Leave it blank?

Thanks!

[Kreschyboy]

This is funny, i was just reading the TOR guidelines and they were pretty insistent about not sending post cards. hah. I don't think you'll need a return address on there or a "we've received your submission" blurb. If you buy the post card, you'll know who its from because you'll recognize it. Its usually best not to do anything besides what they tell you, like sending extraneous things like maps etc. i'd assume the same principle applies to the postcard thing. if it doesn't say "write 'we've recieved your submission' on it," its probably best not to. besides, that way you leave them the opportunity TO write something if they want to.

[Physics Knight]

Good thinking! Yeah, Tor doesn't like postcards but DAW does. Whatever makes them happy makes me happy.

[KatG]

Put the return address on the postcard from the publisher. Not only does it help you remember who you submitted it to, but the U.S. Post Office would really appreciate it in these post-9/11 days if you would do so.

Anything that makes it easier for the publisher is good, so put something on the back of the card such as "We have received the submission of your manuscript, Title." You can put a blank line down for them to mark with an X but you don't have to. Ideally, you want them to take it and throw it back into the mail pile.

The odds are good that you will not get the postcard back even if the ms. is received because the little things get lost a lot. If you don't get the postcard back, you can send a brief, polite email inquiring if they do indeed have it.