The following is a real Reddit post by someone who works in the publishing industry.

I just need to rant because people can’t read anymore??? It is 2026 — NO ONE is accepting queries by phone, why are people still trying??

The amount of phone calls I get from people who think email is “just so impersonal” and “I have this incredible story that no one has ever seen” or the presumptuously blunt “can I speak to Founder of the Company?”

NO YOU CANT. DO YOU KNOW THAT EVERYONE THINKS THEY HAVE A REALLY COOL STORY TO TELL THAT NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN?? And do you really think that listing your accomplishments and name dropping important people to me, the person on the phone and NOT someone who cares a single bit about your project, is going to get you somewhere??

I am just at my wits end with the amount of people who feel entitled to a phone query when a company’s website clearly states that they don’t accept them. You are NOT special and you will not be treated as such.

Don't be THAT person. Go about the querying process the proper way by reading the submission guidelines on the publisher's website and keep track of your queries for free on https://querytracker.net

The same advice applies to pitching media: keep track of your media pitches with our FREE  Local Media Pitch Tracker