On the not hearing back point - magazines editors invariably say this is because of the volume of submissions, but I don't buy it. If pitches are being read, it's easy to automate a rejection reply. The problem, I'm beginning to think, is that plenty of writers are willing to put up with those terms of (dis)engagement; what is required is a paradigm shift within the industry. It will happen eventually, but I defer to the article veterans to determine when...