Chapter 56

Dhvani Solani shares pointers on freelancing + pitch calls + resources

Dear gentle reader,

This newsletter comes out a month late. It has been a hectic time, personally and professionally, so I am grateful for your patience in waiting for this edition.

The last month has had some personal milestones: I turned a year older. I went on my first cruise. I watched my grand aunt receive her well-deserved Padma Shri in Delhi. Seeing her — all of 100 years — walking up confidently and beaming was quite moving. If I could do a fraction of what she has achieved, even at half her age, I will consider it a life well-spent.

My musings are courtesy turning a year older. 40 is around the corner and I am dealing with the emotional, and physical toll of turning older. I love it, despite all the aches and pains. I thought I would have my life sorted out by this time, but I have learned that it’s a pipe dream. There’s no ‘sorted life’, you just accept and embrace what it offers you.

Moving on to this edition: Dhvani Solani offers guidance and advice to freelancers + pitch calls + other resources.

PS:

Ready? Let’s begin.

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THE INTERVIEW STORY

This week’s interview is actually a ten-point lesson! Dhvani is a friend and a lovely human being, and I am grateful she agreed to share her (very honest) thoughts for the newsletter.

Dhvani Solani is an independent writer, editor, and content strategist. In her last full-time role, she was the editor-in-chief of new-media interloper VICE India. Her essays, profiles, and trend forecasts have appeared in Vogue, GQ, Grazia, Mid Day and Hindustan Times. She is the co-author of the book Run!, and consults with food, fashion and travel brands.

10 Things I Did Differently in My Freelance Comeback

It’s June 13, 2014.

I want to buy 30 cans of beer for my naya naya husband’s 30th birthday the next day. I go down to the wine shop and realise I only have enough money to buy 29. I’ll never forget how I came home and bawled my eyes out. Two months later, I took up a full-time job as a features writer with a fashion magazine.

Before that, I’d mostly hopped between newsrooms—reporting and editing stints at Hindustan Times, Mid-Day, and the occasional magazine assignment with Harper’s Bazaar or Vogue. I always knew freelancing would be tough, but back then, it broke my spirit. The beer incident was just the tipping point after months of delayed payments, chasing joyless stories just so I wouldn’t have to borrow money, and burning out over pieces that barely paid peanuts. By the end, I was totally wrung out.

Cut to today: it’s nearly two years since I’ve returned to the freelance world. I’m thrilled (ChatGPT’s favourite word apart from its crush on the em dash but I really am thrilled) to report that this freelancing era 2.0 has been largely enjoyable, peaceful, abundant, and, crucially, not moving me to tears most nights. It actually feels like I might be able to stick to this no-day-job life for the long haul.

So, what changed? Here are 10 things I did differently in my Freelance Era 2.0. I wish I knew some of this myself back then.

1. Planned before I leapt
   At VICE India, when I saw my full-time stint as its editor winding down after five wild years, I didn’t quit on a whim. I started talking to editors, making a list of who to write to for what pitch, and lining up retainers. I will neither confirm nor deny that I started a retainer during my notice period. But if you do do that, it pads you up a bit for the downtime that is bound to come as part of this life. You’re never fully ready for freelancing if you’re coming from a job, but you can—and should—prep for it rather than hoping it’ll sort itself out.
   

2. Sought out retainerships for stability
   I’m not the “ride the wave and see what happens” freelancer. I take risks when there’s a safety net (I’m aware of how that sounds). A retainership means I have a fixed chunk coming in, minus all the employment clauses and bureaucracy. I’ve consciously moved beyond just editorial work—consulting on content and comms for brands, helping shape tone and voice for pan-India players, offering insights on culture trends to agencies (I foresee the forecast space becoming a bigger viable option for culture writers), editorial strategy for niche media, and project-based brand storytelling. It’s all still in my wheelhouse, but stretches beyond simply writing or editing for mainstream media, and gives me the security to take on stuff that might pay less but fuel me creatively.
   

3. Charged for my time and not my skill
   A friend with a hotshot corporate consulting job taught me this: pick an ambitious but realistic monthly figure you want to earn, divide by 20, and there’s your day rate. The first time I did this math two years ago, it felt impossible that I could ever charge that much. But having that number in mind anchored me. It’s not rigid—I charge more when needed, less sometimes—but it stops me from being swayed by whatever a client throws at me. If an offer is wildly off, I politely pass (unless there’s a seriously good perk attached).
   

4. Stopped being embarrassed about asking for more money
   For years, writers (especially millennial girlies like me) were paid peanuts—and we started believing that’s all we deserved. The industry has done us dirty, and we accepted it for too long. Enough of that. Even with all the AI-doom chatter, your voice and skills are more valuable than ever in a world drowning in algorithmic slop. I recently bumped my day rate by almost 60%. Just telling my accountant (aka Dad) made me wince. But that same month, I landed a six-month gig at my new rate—no negotiation needed. Even as I write this, I’m still a little petrified it’s all a fluke, and I’ll be crawling back to the kind of places that pay Rs 2/word with my ego in tatters. But I keep reminding myself that’s just the chronic imposter syndrome talking, not reality.
   

5. But also looked beyond the money
   Freelance rewards aren’t just financial. Some perks come as discounts, barter, freebies or friendships that lead to better gigs later. Sometimes, it’s just the freedom to work when and where you want. There’s no single formula for what makes this life worthwhile. The non-monetary wins often stack up in unexpected ways like gaining new skills, building your network, having relative ownership over your time, or just getting a chance to work on projects you actually care about. If you’re only chasing the fattest invoice, you might miss the real richness: the variety, the autonomy, and the weird, wonderful surprises this life can throw your way.
   

6. Stopped gatekeeping my contacts
   The first time I freelanced, every lead felt precious and hard-won. This time, I leaned into an abundance mindset. Sharing contacts, red flags about certain editors or companies, and job leads—without worrying about reducing my own chances—has only come back to me in the best, most unexpected ways.
   

7. Redefined networking for myself
   I’m loath to formal networking events, but I’ve learned that just being around interesting people—with no agenda—counts. I still think I should schmooze more, but what’s worked is genuine curiosity. Case in point: I’m now consulting for a zine at a home decor store because I went to an event at their space (they were just the venue), spotted the potential, and asked for an intro.
   

8. Sought support in friends, ex-work wives, and industry connects
   Freelancing can get lonely in a way no newsroom ever does. I don’t miss the people management headaches, but I do thrive when I have smart, creative folks around. These days, I have a friend with a flexible-ish job who comes over once a fortnight to WFD (Work From Dhvani’s), plus a handful of friends and ex-colleagues I turn to for opinions, leads, venting, or a much-needed reality check. I’m not in any official groups (though maybe I should be), but there are loads of Facebook and WhatsApp communities for freelancers if you need them. As for leads, this very newsletter you’re reading—by the incredible Joanna Lobo—is a goldmine. And seriously, don’t gatekeep it. Every time a young writer asks me for advice or leads, I send them this newsletter first.
   

9. Gave more than expected
   In a regular job, you can sometimes leave things for tomorrow. In freelancing, you need to go above and beyond. Clients should feel they’re getting more value than they paid for; that’s what keeps them coming back. I try to keep value at the centre of everything I do, and give a little extra wherever I can. In the end, that’s what sets you apart: not just delivering, but delighting.
   

10. Enjoy the downtime
    Sometimes, the downtime is intentional and serves as a well-earned break. Other times, it sneaks up on you between projects and can send you into a mild panic spiral. But the slow spells are part of freelancing too. Use them to recharge, run marathons or movie marathons, catch up on life, or dream up new ideas. The trick is not to let the quiet mess with your confidence. Easier said than done but I’m learning too.

Writing this might make me sound so sorted, but honestly, I’m just ambling along. Feeling fully set on some days and completely adrift on others. Most of it is still me figuring things out as I go, hoping I can hang on to this autonomy for as long as possible. The truth is, there’s no universal playbook: some things will work for you, while the hacks that work for others just might not. The real flex, I’m learning, is building a freelance life that actually fits you, and allowing yourself to keep tweaking it as you grow. And if all else fails, remember: Even 29 beers bought with your own money taste sweeter than 30 borrowed ones.

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PITCH CALLS

1. The Ambedkarian Chronicle invites essays, field reports, interviews, creative writing, and photo-essays exploring the theme of Caste and Climate Change.Abstracts and pitches (up to 250 words) due by 10 June 2025. Submissions accepted in English and Indian languages (translations preferred).
   - Email: theambedkarianchronicle@gmail.com

2. Observer is looking for pitches related to more major museum exhibitions for Aug-Dec, globally.
   - Email: artnews@observer.com
   - Rate: $250

3. Maison Neuve magazine is seeking pitches for their Fall 2025 issue. Deadline: June 2. The stories can be locally specific, but need to be connected to broader ideas that are interesting to a general audience; and, they should be relevant to a Canadian readership. Pitching guidelines, here.
   - Email: rosie@maisonneuve.org
   - Rate: 0.15c/word

4. Phano is looking for submissions. Details, here.
   - Rate: 2 cents a word

5. @newlinesmag seeks pitches about Zombie categories, namely ‘what are some zombie ideas today that should be consigned to the rubbish bin of history?’
   - Email dpostel@newlinesmag.com

6. Yahoo! has a new Trending Lifestyle Editor covering lifestyle-focused celebrity content.
   - Email: billie.schwabdunn@yahooinc.com

7. Front Office Sports is looking for pitches of features and featurettes on topics at the intersection of sports, business, and culture. Both evergreen and time-pegged pitches are welcome, and must include a strong business angle.
   - Email: meredith@frontofficesports.com with PITCH in the subject line

8. An upcoming biennial print and digital magazine is seeking pitches on Transformation, specifically targeting women above 25+ who are in a transformative place in their life. Pitch here.

9. Business Insider wants lifestyle pitches. Details, here. Additionally, Business Insider is looking for pitches about twins.
   - Email: cpreti@insider.com
   - Rate: $230

10. Design Observer is looking for opinion pieces on the rise of AI image-making. “What does it mean when a machine can replicate Studio Ghibli’s iconic hand-drawn style in seconds? Art, ethics, aesthetics and everything in between.” Additionally, pitches on “How are you imagining your future”. Deadline: May 30. Pitch details here. Submit, here.
    - Rate: starts at $1.50 a word for commissioned short pieces (typically, 500-900 words)

11. Dispatch magazine seeks reported features and curious interviews from across the world - untold stories about people, places and ideas on the margins.
    - Rate: £400
    - jacob@dispatch-media.com

12. The Hearth Magazine features articles, games, and supplemental material for tabletop roleplaying games that are not Dungeons & Dragons, with a particular focus on games from independent and small press creators and publishers. Email them pitches. Details, here.
    - Rate: $0.2/word CAD
    - Email: TheHearthMagazine@gmail.com and have “PITCH” and your name in the subject line.

13. Futbolista is looking for pitches for their upcoming Issue 14. Details, here.
    - Email: editor@futbolistamag.com

14. Front Office Sports is looking for pitches of features and featurettes on topics at the intersection of sports, business, and culture. Both evergreen and time-pegged pitches are welcome, and must include a strong business angle.
    - Email: meredith@frontofficesports.com with PITCH in the subject line
    - Rate: $0.50 per word

15. VegNews, a media brand focused on a plant-based lifestyle, is accepting pitches.

16. MIT Technology Review wants pitches for their November/December 2025 issue. The theme is The Body: they want narrative features, essential profiles, compelling investigations, and super-sharp essays…all stories should have a technology angle. Deadline: May 30. MIT Technology Review pitch guide
    - Email: rachel.courtland@technologyreview.com and cc allison.arieff@technologyreview.com

17. The I Paper is looking for lifestyle pitches on relatable regrets, what's getting everyone worked up on your whatsapp group chats, around housing, relationships, personal finances, leaving the UK, health.
    - Email maybelle.morgan@theipaper.com

18. STEVE JOBS MONOGRAPH is an upcoming publication on the 2015 film Steve Jobs. Submit, here. Deadline: June 15.
    - Rate: $100 per piece

19. Light & Seed Magazine is seeking pitches for its Winter/Spring 2026 issue focusing on how technology and innovation intersects with National Forests & Grasslands. Deadline: May 28. Details, here.
    - Rate: $1,000 for 1,000 words
    - Email: erinvriley@gmail.com

20. The Reporters’ Collective is launching a pitch call for investigative stories that uncover truth and hold power to account. Details, here.
    - Email: edit@reporters-collective.in
    - Rate: Rs 40,000 inclusive of all taxes and reimburse travel expenses, if any

21. @BusinessInsider is looking for freelance pitches about ways you’re saving money at the grocery store, cruise upgrades, retirement travel, and unique living arrangements + moving for love, testing out multiple cities before settling in a place, and travel lessons learned/mistakes to avoid. Pitch, here.
    - Rate: $200+ for 600 words

22. Open Secrets Magazine is calling for unpublished 1,000 to 2,000 word personal essays about the impact of climate change and how climate affects our lives. Deadline: May 31. Details, here.
    - Rate: $50

23. Film East is inviting slow Criticism style articles focused on the intersection between art and visual media, for their fifth anthology. Deadline: July 16. Details, here.
    - Rate: £25 OR two print copies of the published book
    - Email: contactfilmeast@gmail.com

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MISCELLANY

FUND: The Pulitzer Centre is offering funding to journalists and newsrooms for reporting projects covering conflict and its impact, and for reporting safely in conflict zones. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and cover reporting costs. Most awards for international travel are between $5,000 and $10,000. Details, here.

PAPERS: Sociology of Health & Illness invites abstracts for a special issue on ‘Urban Experiences of Health and Illness: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Care and Wellbeing in the City’. Deadline: April 30. Details, here.

SCHOLARSHIP: Applications are now open for multiple short-term fellowships in the social sciences, and humanities for the academic year July 2026 – June 2027 at ICAS:MP. Apply here. Deadline: July 15.

JOB BOARD: My curated list of jobs found on LinkedIN. This is for May.

RESIDENCY: The Farm Margaret River Artist Residency in Western Australia, offers a unique opportunity for artists to develop work that engages thoughtfully with the land. Deadline: June 2. Details, here.

REASEARCHER: There is a vacancy for researchers with strong quantitative skills to contribute to thematic chapters on environment, governance for Telangana. Based in Hyderabad. Duration: 6 months. Apply, here.

PAPERS: Mobeen Hussain is running a workshop on Colourism in South Asia and South Asian communities at the University of York in November (with the intention of putting together an edited collection). Deadline: 11 July 2025. Send an abstract and brief bio to mobeen.hussain@york.ac.uk. More details, here.

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RESOURCES

I. Urvashi Sarkar is an Independent journalist, who recently shared some pointers for investigative journalist that could benefit every other kind too. With her permission, sharing pointers here:

• What you're looking for won’t be on Page 1 of Google search results. Also look at pages 6,7,8,9.

• Use DuckDuck Go for stuff Google won’t ever show you.

• Annual reports of companies, critical blogs etc.

• Your research isn’t complete without making those rounds of phone calls (networks plus sources). Do in person interviews where possible (aka going to the field).

• Use Internet WayBack machine for archival views of websites.

• Perplexity AI helps for very specific queries. It can throw up interesting nuggets. Rarely trust the concluding paragraphs of the response that Perplexity AI gives. Use different browsers for different search results.

• Search YouTube for your queries. People are more fluid when they talk rather than when they write. Authorities in power make candid comments in YT videos and podcasts than in print.

II. Want to nail a pitch? Writer Carly Martinetti that talks about the three main points of a good pitch, which are Value Proposition Clear? (Offer + Audience Focus + Assets?) + Credibility Established? (Authority + Proof + Validation?)+ Relevance Obvious? (Timeliness + Targeting + Clarity?)

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As part of my wish to make the newsletter more interactive, here’s the second question.

Until next time, drinks lots of tea, and stay safe from the rain! And, just keep writing.

Regards,
Joanna