Chapter 1: Facing Rejection Head-On

Rejection is an inevitable part of being a creative individual, and it's crucial to develop a healthy relationship with it.

You take the bold step of submitting a pitch to a digital magazine you've always admired. You craft an engaging title, outline key points, and articulate why your idea fits perfectly with their audience. It's a vulnerable moment, especially since you've long viewed them as a benchmark of success.

Confident in your proposal, you eagerly anticipate a positive response, hoping to receive an enthusiastic "yes" from the editor. But the next day, when you check your inbox, you find a brief note: "I'll pass." No further explanation is provided, leaving you to ponder what went wrong.

The sting of rejection hits you physically; it begins in your chest and sinks into your stomach. Your ego immediately reacts, insisting, "I didn’t want it anyway," yet a deeper question arises: "Why didn’t they see my potential?" You find yourself wrestling with thoughts of self-doubt: "Am I good enough? Does my work even matter? Will I find the audience I aspire to reach?"

The short email from the editor has tapped into pre-existing insecurities about your writing journey. It brings forth those nagging questions about whether you can truly become a full-time writer, all while tempting you to abandon your dreams altogether.

With the evolving landscape of publishing and diminishing engagement, the fear of failure has been lurking beneath the surface, waiting for just the right moment to push you toward giving up on your creative ambitions.

Instead of allowing this negativity to take root, you channel your feelings into writing. You recognize that writing is your calling, and you must confront these emotions head-on.

Receiving your first rejection from a publication you respect can feel particularly disheartening, but it's essential to remind yourself that rejection is often a redirection, not a reflection of your worth.

Not everyone will resonate with your work, and that’s okay. Acknowledging the emotional impact of rejection is vital; you choose to articulate your feelings and celebrate the milestone of submitting your first pitch, regardless of the outcome.

The experience of having a pitch rejected feels different compared to rejections from fully completed articles. As you come to terms with this reality, you prepare for the many rejections that lie ahead.

You remind yourself that the pursuit of writing is not about instant success or viral fame. It’s about following your soul's path, even if that means gaining recognition only posthumously.

This journey will be fraught with challenges, but your spirit assures you to brace for the journey ahead. Your ego may take a hit, but quitting is not an option.

Chapter 2: Learning from Feedback

This video discusses various pitches that were both accepted and rejected in a recent review. It highlights the importance of feedback in refining your approach.