Standard mail is usually preferred by editors over telephone queries. After all, an editor's job is to edit. Having to talk to panicky writers all day leaves precious little time for editing. With every correspondence, professionalism is the key to developing a productive writer-editor relationship. If the reply is negative, don't despair .
Many writers find it extremely difficult to separate rejection of the work from rejection of self.
Gird on your courage to study the rejection slip. Even form letters can provide invaluable clues. Champion equestrians do not evolve overnight, but must suffer many bumps and bruises. The same is true for writers. This is the steel by which our skills are sharpened.