here comes another rejected pitch...

Dec 04, 2020

Welcome to the fifth edition of Missed Pitches, a home for rejected ideas.

Help me reach 1,000 subscribers on this newsletter and I will release a FREE e-book on how to land a journalism job in under 100 days.

If you are a writer who has a rejected idea and have not yet submitted to this newsletter, use this Google Form to have your idea featured here. Follow on Twitter at @MissedPitches. Read the previous edition here. // rungomez

A pandemic day in the life of a mail carrier (by Luisa de Vogel, luisa.devogel@gmail.com)
The rise of the camel dairy in the U.S. (by Jaclyn Krymowski, jaclyn@the-herdbook.com)
Women, music and poetry (by Marianne Dick, mdmariannefrancoise@googlemail.com)
Commentary: The rise of American Christian monopoly (by Rann Miller, urbanedmixtape@gmail.com)
The delicious burger you’ve never heard about (by Frances J Folsom, francesfolsom@comcast.net)
Freelance opportunities
Writing jobs
Writing contests

NOTE: The following rejected story pitches have been lightly edited for space and clarity.

A pandemic day in the life of a mail carrier (by Luisa de Vogel, luisa.devogel@gmail.com)

What is a day in the life of a mail carrier during the pandemic and an election with so much vote by mail. What precautions are being taken to keep workers safe and how have mail carriers been impacted by cuts to the USPS?

The rise of the camel dairy in the U.S. (by Jaclyn Krymowski, jaclyn@the-herdbook.com)

Did you know camel milk and dairy may be the next health and novelty food craze in America? Although camel milk sales were only green-lit in the U.S. as recently as 2012, the market has grown exponentially ever since. In fact, according to Data Bridge Market Research, the camel dairy market is projected to reach as much as $10 billion by the year 2027 with an 8 percent growth rate from now until then.

Entrepreneurs from Kenya and Saudi Arabia have already established or are looking to establish camel enterprises here with American farmers. Though this concept is exotic to first-world consumers, the idea is hardly new. Camel milk has been consumed for thousands of years while being lauded for health and wellness benefits.

In my proposed article, I will look into the rich, deep history behind camel milk and dairy products and trace it through this seemingly sudden interest from U.S. consumers. I am very intrigued to see specifically why this unconventional alternative to traditional cow’s milk got the attention it did in a short amount of time.

Women, music and poetry (by Marianne Dick, mdmariannefrancoise@googlemail.com)

Poetry and music have always been closely linked, but in the last few months both Lana del Rey and Halsey have published poetry anthologies, and in March, Florence Welch (who released a lyrics and poetry book in 2018) wrote a collective poem made from fan comments.

I’d like to look at why this trend might be emerging. It's certainly linked to the pandemic — the impact it's had on the music industry, plus the rise of creativity and reflection during lockdowns. I'd like to include some quotes from the musicians if possible and look at the reaction of the poetry world. Considerations and questions would include how poetry and lyrics relate and differ.

In addition, I’d also like to list some of the most prolific female musicians who have published poetry, including summaries, quotes and insights.

Commentary: The rise of American Christian monopoly (by Rann Miller, urbanedmixtape@gmail.com)

My commentary is a piece on how white evangelical conservative voices in the political space held a monopoly over the application of Christian thought on public policy and how the voices of William Barber and Raphael Warnock are breaking that monopoly — offering Christians engaged in political activism an alternative tradition steeped in America living out the true meaning of it's creed.

The delicious burger you’ve never heard about (by Frances J Folsom, francesfolsom@comcast.net)

Have you ever heard of or tasted a slugburger? You will if you go to Corinth, Mississippi. I ate my first slugburger at Borroum’s Drug Store. Despite their yucky sounding name, they’re delicious. The slugburger is so popular that Corinth pays homage to it every July with a Slugburger Festival.

The slugburger dates to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Times were hard; every scrap of food was used. A woman by the name of Mrs. Weeks, needing to make meat stretch for the family’s restaurant started adding an extender, flour or soybean meal and spices to ground beef. She shaped the mixture into patties, deep fried them, and served them on a hamburger bun with mustard, pickles and onions, selling them for five cents each. Back then a nickel was called a slug, hence the name slugburger.

In the article I will include a recipe(s) for the slugburger. I will/can provide the history of Corinth, a strategic town during the Civil War.

Freelance Opportunities

via @TrevellAnderson (Dec 3): In my (new) role as editor-at-large for
@xtramagazine, I’m looking to work with LGBTQ2 entertainment & culture writers. This is a thread detailing what I’m looking for and how to pitch me. Conduct yourselves accordingly. Email at trevell.anderson@xtramagazine.com

via @Dannosphere (Dec 3): Dec/Jan are the hardest months of the year for freelancers, so pitch me! Looking for @sfgate culture/entertainment ideas with Bay Area hooks, but can be national stories if they're truly zeitgeisty. Dan.Gentile@sfgate.com, $150-300

via @bitingfriends (Dec 2): #callforsubmissions #paidgigs Please have a look at the website and Instagram account (links given in graphic), and send pitches (not applications) to theladiescompartment@gmail.com

via @thegumbo (Nov 30): january 2021 is dedicated to all things jersey club. we’re taking pitches from Black women and non-binary writers and all levels. rate is $150 per piece, send us your pitches by december 10 at 11:59pm est. email at nadirahsimmons@thegumbo.net and bwhite@thegumbo.net

via @itsmarkmedley (Dec 1) This is my semi-annual reminder that I'm always looking for pitches/story ideas for the @globeandmail's Saturday Opinion section. I encourage younger journalists, and writers who I haven't worked with, to send me a note. email at mmedley@globeandmail.com