Sending stuff to FSF/ Analog etc- a logistical nightmare!

[J-WO]

Right, this is my first attempt at hyperlinking to somewhere, hope it works-


Guest Blog: The Silence of the Limeys Damien G. Walter


Author and Guardian SF blogger, Damien G Walter has kindly let me write something on his Blog about the absurd difficulties facing a UK SFF writer if they want to send stuff to the big American inkies, due to the apparent non-existence of International Reply Coupons in this country.

I figured this would be the best place to put this, given that it potentially effects a lot of aspiring writers here in Britain. Its a quietly absurd situation that I'd like to bring attention to.

Thanks.

 

[mosaix]

Bridgnorth isn't exactly a large town, population 13,000 approx, but I manage to buy them at my local sub-post office.

 

[The Judge]

We couldn't get them at our village PO -- though apparently they have had them in the past -- but we got hold of them in our nearest small town without any problem. I suggest you try leaving Leicester for a few hours, J-WO. There is life outside the city, y'know!


PS The linking worked fine!

 

[Peter Graham]

Leicester? Bridgnorth? I know this is a fantasy site, but are people seriously arguing that such places really exist?

I have had a look at our maps (prepared by the foremost cartographers in Westmorland, I hasten to add) and I can assure you that neither place exists. Go south of Lancaster and you fall off the edge. Go north of Scotland and you hit Ultima Thule. Then you fall off the edge. Atlantis lies to the West and Yorkshire lies to the East. It really isn't difficult.

Regards,

Peter

 

[J-WO]

Leicester is the stuff that dreams are made of, a vague flight of fancy. Head toward the nearest star, Peter, and sail on till dawn. Alternatively, use the M25.

But what? Why have all the small towns got all the IRCs? Is this some market town conspiracy? Or is urban fiction too dangerous to be allowed in the USA?

Actually, when did you all buy these IRCs? Was it within this year?

Good to know the link works. Finally, I've caught up with the 20th century.

Heartily recommend Mr Walter's blogs though, whether for the Guardian or his own page (And I'm not just saying that cuz he let me mess around on it!)--he's got one ear to the SFF scene. Though what he does with the other one is none of our business!

 

[The Judge]

Alternatively, use the M25.

From Cumbria? Is this some alternate-dimension M25, perhaps?

Actually, when did you all buy these IRCs? Was it within this year?

This very century, as is. April 2010, in fact. Of course, I haven't the faintest idea if the thing worked, since I've not had a reply, but hope springs eternal and all that.

 

[J-WO]

I mean the M25 of the soul!!!

Thanks for your reply, Judge. My inquiries appear to be revealing something of a post code lottery (as one visitor to Mr Walter's site put it). Some Post offices, notably the village/ countryside persuasion, seem to have adapted to the change in IRC's, bringing in the new format, while others haven't even bothered.

I guess this could be for two reasons-

i- people retiring to the suburbs, countryside means an older demographic in areas outside the cities--typically more likely to use old skool mail instead of the Net.

ii- village post offices have to cater for just about everything in their vicinity, so their staff (despite whatever--possibly stereotypical--eccentricities) are going to be elite.

Still, this is not an ideal situation. I'd have more chance with pigeon post!

 

[The Judge]

Post box lottery, surely?

I suggest you pop up to Oadby, or out Woodhouse way, to the posher environs, see if they can help. Otherwise, if you want I can try to get a batch for you from our local yokels and forward them on.

 

[J-WO]

That's very kind, but I should really force myself to go to Oadby (that it should come to this!). After all, I'm not Robert Picardo and Leicester isn't a holodeck, is it?

Or is it?

 

[Nik]

They still have IRCs ?? My local post-master used to greet me with delight when I produced yet-another bulging, as-yet unsealed envelope with a US address...

( Eventually, it became cheaper to shove in a $5 note for an air-mail reply than buy 'surface' IRCs...)

IIRC, the standard replies were either 'we have enough of such' or 'wrong format (paper size)'. The former was annoying because they'd been asking for submissions. The latter was a bit exasperating because I could NOT get US-sized paper for type-writer or, later, my Epson printer...

One reply stood out: A kindly, hand-written scribble advised me that my almost-lyrical submission was not the best way to tell that dire tale...

 

[J-WO]

There's different sized paper over there? That's it, I'm sticking with email submissions!

Well, at least Asimov's have bit the cybernetic bullet.