Those times as journal editor when a submission has 27 reviewer invites, 25 with no replies, and 2 declines, and you have to write the authors and say that it might have to be desk rejected after a year because no one will read it, or even reply to requests to read it. Sigh.
@amyjko Has the editor read the manuscript? If it seems to be appropriate for the journal then perhaps more *personalized* review requests might work.
@LyndaDelph I am the editor. I have read it. I have collaborated with the authors to generate a list of highly appropriate reviewers. I have had multiple associate editors try and fail to get those reviewers to review. Alas, no one will review.
@amyjko @LyndaDelph Makes me think you should pressure them more (keep sending request reminders) to at least increase the rate of explicit declines
