Fiction Ed’s Blog: Do You Have An Assigned Editor?


Shutterstock / StudioByTheSea © assigned editor

When you have your first story accepted, here at “The People’s Friend”, it sets a number of events in motion.

Following final approval by Editor Angela, your newly-assigned editor will be in touch with you, to let you know the good news!

How is my editor assigned to me?

The person who put your story forward for consideration in the first instance is designated your assigned editor.

How will I know who my editor is?

You’ll be notified when you’re contacted regarding your first successful submission.

For a recent first acceptance, your new editor will be the Fiction team member who read your original submission.

If you’re an author who’s been with the Friend prior to our new submissions system, your assigned editor will be one of the Team above, or Fiction Ed Lucy.

When should I contact my editor?

Your Editor is your first point of contact with the “Friend”.

They’re the person to whom you should direct all subsequent fiction admissions. Please note that the Friend Fiction email inbox is for unpublished authors only.

Please also direct all queries to your assigned editor.

Don’t hesitate to be in touch

Please don’t ever worry about getting in contact – it’s our pleasure to help! Most queries can be cleared up in a trice.

If you’d like to know the progress of a story with us for consideration, or for any other enquiries – don’t hesitate to drop us an email.

Will my assigned editor ever change?

Once an editor is assigned to you, they’ll usually always be ‘your’ editor.

You may be assigned a new editor if yours moves on or retires, or if  a new person joins the Team  – and very occasionally, if it’s thought that a change in editor might be in everyone’s best interests.

No successes for a year or more?

If for any reason you haven’t submitted successfully for a year or more, we may ask you to submit using our new submissions system.

This is simply the fairest way we’ve found to ensure that all submissions are read and responded to, in as timely a manner as possible.

We’re also mindful of our responsibilities around data protection, in line with government guidance.


For more from Lucy, read the Fiction Ed’s blog here.

Lucy Crichton

Fiction Editor Lucy is always on the look-out for the very best short stories, poems and pocket novels. As well as sourcing enjoyable content, she enjoys working with our established contributors, encouraging new talent, and celebrating 155 years of 'Friend' fiction!