My very first suggestion to you is to politely and professionally address all editors with "Dear Ms. Jamie Joy Gatto." Better yet, why even assume gender? Go with "Dear Jamie Joy Gatto." Please do not ever assume you may address the editor by their first name. My second professional suggestion is to offer your real name to editors, not a pen name, regardless of whether or not you intend to use your real name when you publish. If you wish to publish under a pen name, that will be worked out in any publication agreements. Only Divas like Cher, Madonna and Oceania get to use one name, and that's because they've earned it.

Here is some general professional advice for writers:

When submitting to editors always write a cover letter respectfully referring by name and title to the proper editor. Write and sign your letter as formally as if it were a business letter intended for a job interview. It is. Do this every time you submit, even if you have established a working relationship with that editor.

Most editors are professional writers, or at least, started out as writers. They had to do the same thing when submitting their work to other editors and expect that very same respect from you.

Don't send your text or letters in strange colors or other HTML markups. Include your full name, all contact information-- both physical and e-mail, a brief professional bio including all or highlighting your previous publication credits, and word count on all submissions.

Buy some writers guidelines books which will help you to learn the basics. Read, read, read quality contemporary and classic literature before you write, then write, write, write. Then edit everything you write. Then read and write some more. Then edit some more. Subscribe to and read trade publications such as Writer's Digest, Poets & Writers, The Writer.

Please do not ever send anything to an editor without properly spell checking it and without using proper punctuation. Elipses are not to be used the same way as a period, or a comma, or a semi-colon, or colon. Stick to the rules of grammar as can be found in MLA handbooks and other proper English usage books.

Regarding writing erotica:

Please don't make the mistake of thinking that writing erotica is any different than writing literary fiction, or any other literary genre. Good writing is good writing. "Cum" as a verb is spelled "Come" and "i" is spelled "I" even in domination scenarios. Male and female ejaculate may be referred to the slang term as "cum" but remember that it is a noun, not a verb. Try to stick to the words "cock, dick, pussy and cunt" to describe genitalia. No serious erotic editor wants to read about "throbbing love poles and quivering tunnels of fun." You are wasting both their time and yours, unless, of course, you are describing an acid trip or a trip down a rabbit hole, and not a sexual encounter.

Lastly, most editors will not give you any advice. They will send you a form rejection letter, if that. They may not contact you in any way, even after you send in a submission, even after you have done everything properly, even if you included an SASE. Most editors will act professionally, but some will not. The writers and editors who last in the business will always be of the utmost professional in nature.

Please take note that I care about writers so I always encourage them. Please don't give up and best of luck to you, and please do not send something that is not perfect-- spell-checked, grammar checked, good usage, proper elements of good fiction and ready to print-- to any editors. Good Luck! Keep Trying!