How honest should you be with an editor to whom you submit your finely crafted manuscript?  How much do you need to tell that editor about simultaneous submissions or about previous appearances of the piece on the web?

You may take the position that it makes no sense to limit the possibility of selling your work by submitting to one publication at a time.  After all, it's your genius; who's to say how you market it?

A problem of ethics is on the horizon.  Do you have to tell the editors you are violating the guidelines if they insist on exclusive submissions? 

Sure, everyone knows "honesty is the best policy," but it may be that you are wasting your time with this editor.  Doesn't it make sense to "hedge your bet?"  After all, it is often true that "what they don't know, won't hurt them."

Clearly, platitudes are no guide in this situation.  A closer look at the community of writing may shed light on the dilemma.

Publishing activities occur in a context of relationships.  This is true, regardless of whether you are paid for you work or not.  It is true for every type of publishing; even self-publishing.

Writers tend to think in terms of two relationships: author/editor; and author/reader.  Many writers set these relationships at odds with another, but there are other relationships to consider.

Readers have a relationship with the Publisher.  They may choose to buy from a particular publisher because they trust their editorial competence, or because the Reader trusts the Publisher's judgement in weeding out the undeserving manuscripts. 

These relationships are in addition to the fact that a particular publisher prints work by a particular author.  In fact the choice of publishing an author is a direct result of their relational responsibilities to the reader.

Editors have a relationship with the Publisher and the Reader.  They are committed to finding the best work possible for the Reader.  Their judgement in this effort is supported by the Publisher who employs them.

If you help your editors with their responsibilities by being honest with them, you will be likely to have strong relationships.  They will depend on you. 

If you fool them once by informing them, after they accept your submission, they can't have your work because it was previously accepted by another publication, they may never consider publishing you again.  In this case, relationship is exactly equal to trust.

A writer is considered to be a professional, not only for the ability to sell their work, but also for the degree of professionalism they exhibit in their dealings with the writing community.  Personal integrity and transparent motives are rare and highly prized.

These qualities probably won't help you get your foot in the door with an editor.  They may well, however, be the reason an editor chooses your submissions over those of other writers.