Do I address journal editor by first name in new submission?

[Santommaso]

For a few years I have had correspondence with a journal editor about an academic situation unrelated to her journal. This involved a few emails, but we have never met in person. We've addressed each other by first names. A few years before that I published an article in her journal. Now I want to submit a new manuscript there. Submissions are by email address to the editor. Should I address her by her first name, or by Dr. X? Not sure what the etiquette might be for a European-based journal.

[Ruralguy]

Address her as Dr. X unless or until she gives a cue to do otherwise.

[Parasaurolophus]

You have a pre-existing relationship which put you on a first-name basis, so it seems fine to stick with that

[bio-nonymous]

For formal communication, I default to Dr. So and So for the first email at least, even if I know the person--for emails between colleagues/friends in a non-formal atmosphere, obviously no...

[ergative]

I would always use a formal address in a journal submission. To use first name would imply to me that I'm expecting the editor to consider our personal relationship when making decisions about my paper, and that seems problematic.

For the same reason, when I write a letter of recommendation to someone I already know, I also use formal terms of address. So in the email when I send the letter, I'll write 'Hi, Suzy! Good to see you at the conference. Here's my recommendation for Jojo attached. Coffee next week?' And then the letter for Jojo reads, 'Dear Dr. Shmergatroyd, it is my great pleasure to recommend Jojolaphous Restratigimimi for  . . . '

[mamselle]

Love the updated Dickensian names....

;--}

M.

[Wahoo Redux]

I always start out submissions with "Dear Dr. X," and then if the article is desirable it always seems to relax into first name communication.

Unless this is a really close friend I'd start with the formality.

Best of luck placing it.

[jerseyjay]

In formal communication, I always use formal address, i.e., "Dear Dr. Smith." This is true for journal submissions, book proposals, job applications, fellowship application, letters of recommendation, letters of resignation, etc. This is because a) the letter is not really to an individual but somebody holding a particular position and b) these letters are often distributed beyond their immediate addresse. It is also good to avoid the impression that you are trying to benefit from personal connections (even if in fact, you are). After some back and forth, it may be appropriate to be less formal (e.g, use somebody's first name), but this depends on the situation.

[ergative]

In formal communication, I always use formal address, i.e., "Dear Dr. Smith." This is true for journal submissions, book proposals, job applications, fellowship application, letters of recommendation, letters of resignation, etc. This is because a) the letter is not really to an individual but somebody holding a particular position and b) these letters are often distributed beyond their immediate addresse. It is also good to avoid the impression that you are trying to benefit from personal connections (even if in fact, you are). After some back and forth, it may be appropriate to be less formal (e.g, use somebody's first name), but this depends on the situation.

Yes, the bolded bit is a really good point. Often when we write these sorts of letters we aren't actually engaging in correspondence to exchange information, or even exchanging missives as a way of displaying our mating plumage in a ritualized academic mating dance. Rather, we're contributing a document to be part of a formal record of events, and so it's best for the document to be constructed in a way that is appropriate for the archives.

[Hibush]

I have always found it comfortable to follow the conventions described by ergative and jerseyjay. Sound advice and context!

[mamselle]

You also don't know who else might be opening (EA) or reading (all and sundry) the letter.

Anyone might talk about your taking liberties in that apparent first contact point--they shouldn't,  but they do--and take it badly in some way.

M.