All three essays that you're pitching now sound fascinating to me, so I'm looking forward to when they come out. I read your piece on Electric Lit, and I really liked it. I meant to come back here and let you know, but then I just forgot. I think that happens a lot. People enjoy reading something and then they just quietly go about their lives and the author never hears.
That's very true -- for 99.999% of what I read and like, the author never hears anything from me, so I participate in the void. I have wanted to reach out to authors I admire but if they're famous, there's not really a way to do that. Or you have to go through the embarrassing gesture of reaching out to their literary agent first. So my reaction is a bit out of place, and I guess testifies to the fact that I'm new to this! I wonder how it feels to authors who are more used to publishing where there is no reader feedback. Do they get used to not hearing anything? Is that how they prefer it? Maybe they share with a circle of writer friends and all give each other encouragement and feedback, and that makes up for it? You're a writer -- what's your feeling on wanting to hear from readers of your work? (Also, thanks for the encouragement!)
I'd love to hear back from people, but that's just not how things have gone. The whole reason I post online is because I'm seeking connection or community. I want to be seen and heard. I've never had anything published, but if I did, I'm sure I'd want to hear back in that case, too. It's confirmation that something has landed. I guess I've decided that it's worth the effort regardless of whether I hear back, get published, or get nothing. It's not really the most dopamine-drenched place to land, but it's something I've been forced to reconcile myself with.
I occasionally reach out to the authors of pieces I've read in journals. It depends on whether they've created an easy way to connect, which implies wanting to hear back. I don't reach out to famous people for the reasons you mentioned.
This is very cool! Thank you for sharing your experience and the pitch that worked. I really appreciate the idea of racking a rejections. It reminds me of something a friend of mine says, "I always want to let other people tell me 'no.' I'm not going to be the person who tells myself no."
"I always want to let other people tell me 'no.' I'm not going to be the person who tells myself no." Wow, what fearlessness! I admire it. I'm being fearless in this specific context but I hadn't really reflected on how to carry that attitude to other areas of life.
I know, right? He's definitely lived a "most interesting person in the world" style life. He told me this philosophy in the context of explaining how he managed to talk his way into becoming a crew member on a racing yacht even though he had zero sailing experience... I think about this often as I try to be more courageous in all areas of my life. Your example is really inspiring.
Congratulations, Laura! This reminds me of what I used to love about publishing as an academic, as well as how I approached it. Wishing you continued rejections… and success! ☺️☺️
Thanks, this was fascinating! I'm still so new to pitching, myself, that every example teaches me something useful. Best of luck with your strategy, it sounds like you're really hitting a stride.
All three essays that you're pitching now sound fascinating to me, so I'm looking forward to when they come out. I read your piece on Electric Lit, and I really liked it. I meant to come back here and let you know, but then I just forgot. I think that happens a lot. People enjoy reading something and then they just quietly go about their lives and the author never hears.
That's very true -- for 99.999% of what I read and like, the author never hears anything from me, so I participate in the void. I have wanted to reach out to authors I admire but if they're famous, there's not really a way to do that. Or you have to go through the embarrassing gesture of reaching out to their literary agent first. So my reaction is a bit out of place, and I guess testifies to the fact that I'm new to this! I wonder how it feels to authors who are more used to publishing where there is no reader feedback. Do they get used to not hearing anything? Is that how they prefer it? Maybe they share with a circle of writer friends and all give each other encouragement and feedback, and that makes up for it? You're a writer -- what's your feeling on wanting to hear from readers of your work? (Also, thanks for the encouragement!)
I'd love to hear back from people, but that's just not how things have gone. The whole reason I post online is because I'm seeking connection or community. I want to be seen and heard. I've never had anything published, but if I did, I'm sure I'd want to hear back in that case, too. It's confirmation that something has landed. I guess I've decided that it's worth the effort regardless of whether I hear back, get published, or get nothing. It's not really the most dopamine-drenched place to land, but it's something I've been forced to reconcile myself with.
I occasionally reach out to the authors of pieces I've read in journals. It depends on whether they've created an easy way to connect, which implies wanting to hear back. I don't reach out to famous people for the reasons you mentioned.
This is very cool! Thank you for sharing your experience and the pitch that worked. I really appreciate the idea of racking a rejections. It reminds me of something a friend of mine says, "I always want to let other people tell me 'no.' I'm not going to be the person who tells myself no."
"I always want to let other people tell me 'no.' I'm not going to be the person who tells myself no." Wow, what fearlessness! I admire it. I'm being fearless in this specific context but I hadn't really reflected on how to carry that attitude to other areas of life.
I know, right? He's definitely lived a "most interesting person in the world" style life. He told me this philosophy in the context of explaining how he managed to talk his way into becoming a crew member on a racing yacht even though he had zero sailing experience... I think about this often as I try to be more courageous in all areas of my life. Your example is really inspiring.
Looking forward to your next piece. This was great 👍
Thank you Joanna!
Congratulations, Laura! This reminds me of what I used to love about publishing as an academic, as well as how I approached it. Wishing you continued rejections… and success! ☺️☺️
Thanks Meghan! And it's really good to see you! I hope you're doing well.
Thanks, this was fascinating! I'm still so new to pitching, myself, that every example teaches me something useful. Best of luck with your strategy, it sounds like you're really hitting a stride.