About a week ago, I got a surprise in my inbox. A woman in publishing who I had emailed a long time ago asking for an informational interview, after being recommended to contact her through an earlier blog post, actually responded, agreeing to answer any of my questions.

I do not mean to put her down for taking awhile to respond. In fact, I want to do the opposite; I want to thank her for taking the time to respond to a little undergraduate student, especially since the email had been sitting in her inbox for awhile. Most people, if not responding right away, would never respond.

Anyways, this woman gave wonderful advice about how to be successful in the publishing industry and I am truly grateful she took the time out of her schedule to connect with me.

However, this story is the exception. Awkwardly, the opposite usually occurs: after writing a respectful and curious email, explaining who I am, and why I’d like to learn more from this publisher, book critic, writer, etc. (and not just at random, but after being recommended to this person), and waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and…

No response.

Being from the Twin Cities and therefore abiding by the rules of “Minnesota nice,” I usually feel too intrusive and bothersome to send a second email. Some people just don’t have the time to answer questions—I get that.

Valinda from CP&R, however, recommended that in many situations, especially if I do care about connecting with that person, it doesn’t hurt to send that second email as long as it’s polite. Most people put off such emails, intending to reply but never getting around to it as their daily chores pile up, and would perhaps appreciate the reminder. It could even be more of a positive thing, since it would bring my name to their attention a second time and show my dedication.

Navigating the occasionally awkward waters of informational interviews—or even just simple emails, less formal-sounding—can be tricky at times. I think of all the advice I’ve gotten so far this semester from the handful of people I’ve had the privilege of talking to, and it does seem worth it. This woman in publishing, who I most recently have spoken to, was able to advise me to look into a specific summer class and specific places at which to intern that I hadn’t even thought of before.