I’m waiting to hear back on a bunch of pitches and thinking about this question. If I get rejected, I lick my wounds and move on. If I get ghosted, I move on to the next publication anyway without the rejection—and also potentially without the feedback and connection to an editor (or replace “editor” with client, investor, connection, etc.)
Would you rather: get rejected or ghosted by an editor?
Rejected all day, every day!!! I feel like I've been ghosted at least 12 times since 2024 started, and it is chipping away at my soul!!! I'm trying not to give up, but it is hard to overcome the feeling of not knowing if it's me and my pitch, or just a burgeoning inbox where my e-mail didn't stand out.
The latter! I struggle with this too, but I've reminded myself that it's not personal and I'm completely capable, it just might not be the right fit for a number of reasons (budget, timing, angle, etc.). It sucks that being ghosted brings up these insecurities though.
Rejected! I know ghosting might be a product of over-worked or over-burdened editors, but my favorite publications and people to work with are ones that value the human connection and strive to respond.
A good rejection can give me things to work on. But even just a no is better wondering and questioning if I should follow up, submit elsewhere…no response is just stressful.
This is something Stasia and Emily and I are trying really hard for: Everyone gets an email back. As a freelancer, I always preferred a quick rejection—just so I knew for sure. But I probably also underestimated until recently just how full an editor's inbox is and how overwhelming it can be. Unfortunately there's just not enough time in the day to give every rejected pitch any kind of explanation (though with specific stories, friends, etc, I try my hardest) and, unfortunately, I have more sympathy now for the emails that just got lost in the mess or forgotten. But we're working really hard to make sure everyone at lest gets a timely email. Even if it's kind of generic and impersonal, I hope people would still prefer to know (as timely as possible) that I read it and considered it but ultimately it's not a fit.
I'm so glad you chimed in here! This is such a helpful perspective for me + all the other writers who read. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that we're all just trying to manage our inboxes haha. Writers getting pitches from PR, editors getting pitches from writers, etc.
Rejected for sure. That can often be an open door ("this isn't quite right for us, but feel free to send more ideas..."), and usually means you did something right. And then you know for sure you can take the pitch elsewhere quickly.
I agree, I've seen a lot of notes on pitch guidelines that say "if you don't hear from us, feel free to move on." Thank you for commenting—definitely helps me and my other readers!
With PR pitching, reporters have asked us to Re pitch them with a slightly different note. Something that has changed, been updated or is more relevant due to the news.
I definitely prefer the rejection! Yes, it can be hard news to get, but I would rather have the clarity and closure of a rejection than be left hoping and trying to guess why I haven't heard anything.
Rejected any day. Ghosting is a mega pet peeve for me! It shows a total lack of respect for someone's time and effort. Now, I think it may be a little different with a "cold" pitch, but when it's something the person asked for or is expecting, I'll take a rejection over nothing!
Rejected all day, every day!!! I feel like I've been ghosted at least 12 times since 2024 started, and it is chipping away at my soul!!! I'm trying not to give up, but it is hard to overcome the feeling of not knowing if it's me and my pitch, or just a burgeoning inbox where my e-mail didn't stand out.
The latter! I struggle with this too, but I've reminded myself that it's not personal and I'm completely capable, it just might not be the right fit for a number of reasons (budget, timing, angle, etc.). It sucks that being ghosted brings up these insecurities though.
Rejected! I know ghosting might be a product of over-worked or over-burdened editors, but my favorite publications and people to work with are ones that value the human connection and strive to respond.
Rejected every time!
A good rejection can give me things to work on. But even just a no is better wondering and questioning if I should follow up, submit elsewhere…no response is just stressful.
Always the rejection! Even though it may be upsetting at times I believe a line of open communication is important.
This is something Stasia and Emily and I are trying really hard for: Everyone gets an email back. As a freelancer, I always preferred a quick rejection—just so I knew for sure. But I probably also underestimated until recently just how full an editor's inbox is and how overwhelming it can be. Unfortunately there's just not enough time in the day to give every rejected pitch any kind of explanation (though with specific stories, friends, etc, I try my hardest) and, unfortunately, I have more sympathy now for the emails that just got lost in the mess or forgotten. But we're working really hard to make sure everyone at lest gets a timely email. Even if it's kind of generic and impersonal, I hope people would still prefer to know (as timely as possible) that I read it and considered it but ultimately it's not a fit.
I'm so glad you chimed in here! This is such a helpful perspective for me + all the other writers who read. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that we're all just trying to manage our inboxes haha. Writers getting pitches from PR, editors getting pitches from writers, etc.
Rejected for sure. That can often be an open door ("this isn't quite right for us, but feel free to send more ideas..."), and usually means you did something right. And then you know for sure you can take the pitch elsewhere quickly.
When rejection turns into a confidence boost!
Take it where you can get it!
If I felt the pitch was great and I was being rejected, I would ask for feedback from a respected peer that you know.
Things in media are changing so fast that sometimes we overthink. ( I'm guilty of this)
Getting some fresh eyes looking at it can be helpful.
I've found people are ghosting a lot lately, in general if they aren't interested at all, you're not hearing from them. I hope this helps you!
I agree, I've seen a lot of notes on pitch guidelines that say "if you don't hear from us, feel free to move on." Thank you for commenting—definitely helps me and my other readers!
With PR pitching, reporters have asked us to Re pitch them with a slightly different note. Something that has changed, been updated or is more relevant due to the news.
I have had pitches land this way!
Love a reframing!
Definitely rejected rather than nothing!
I definitely prefer the rejection! Yes, it can be hard news to get, but I would rather have the clarity and closure of a rejection than be left hoping and trying to guess why I haven't heard anything.
Yes, the closure!
Yes!!
Rejected any day. Ghosting is a mega pet peeve for me! It shows a total lack of respect for someone's time and effort. Now, I think it may be a little different with a "cold" pitch, but when it's something the person asked for or is expecting, I'll take a rejection over nothing!
Such a good point that it totally disregards the person's humanity in the outreach!