n an age when writers are being replaced with machines, it seems more important than ever to know how to evolve and adapt with these changing times. As a freelance writer who’s been affected by artificial intelligence and Google algorithms, it’s been difficult. However, I’ve realized that while the industry has changed, hope is not all lost. It’s our humanness that makes us unique and gives us that edge.

I am so excited to interview Suchi Rudra. For over 15 years, Suchi Rudra has been a freelance journalist and content writer. She draws on her long career to guide and motivate writers who are newer to the freelance writing and publishing world as a writer coach. Her work has been featured in top consumer publications, such as The New York Times, WIRED UK, WSJ, Nat Geo, AFAR, BBC Travel, Fast Company, Fodor’s, and more, and also in major trade magazines. She has also created web and print content for various national and global brands.

Suchi is a lifelong writer of short stories and novels, and her first novel was longlisted for a Dzanc Books prize. She’s currently revising her second novel and is represented by the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. And after many years of writing from various cities and villages around the world, with much time spent in Prague and Buenos Aires, Suchi is now a reluctantly recovering digital nomad.

We discuss the state of the industry, tips on overcoming self-doubt, pitching techniques (my personal kryptonite!), and more.

WOW: Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to chat with us. First, I love how your coaching business helps writers specifically with their most unique struggles. That begs the question: what’s the most common struggle you’re hearing from writers lately?

Suchi: I think the most common issue I get asked for help with is how to frame the pitch correctly for the target publication—but also, finding the right publication to pitch. The writers I work with have tons of great ideas, but they aren’t always sure where to send them and how to tweak them accordingly to catch the editor’s interest. Aiming for top pubs is great, but you have to get your idea to fit their style, to shape into the kind of article that their readers are interested in.

WOW: As someone who struggles with pitching, I think that’s an important factor. Knowing how to target the publication specifically is essential. What is a surprising skill or technique that your clients are amazed to hear you recommend for their processes?

Suchi: I can’t force anyone to meditate, of course, haha! But I would say that it has helped me become a lot more focused and less stressed to meditate in the mornings before I get down to work. Even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes. Also, it helps not to look at your phone first thing in the morning; that sets a nice tone, so you can start the day slowly, peacefully, before you have to be online and dig into your deadlines. And of course, I will always recommend writers to read, read, read. That’s how you become a better writer.

WOW:  Reading is so important! It feeds our brain. How much does confidence play in the success of a freelancer? And why?

Suchi:  Confidence is a big deal—even if it’s not 100 percent real. It really is all about “fake it till you make it.” Many, many freelance writers, even very experienced ones, have that imposter syndrome. It’s hard to shake, because you don’t really get that external validation from anyone each time you get an article published, right? You may not even get much more than a “good job on this one” from your busy editor. And your friends and family may not even read it if you’re writing for a trade pub or writing something they’re not interested in. So when you do get a win, take the time to celebrate it, because as you might have heard: what gets celebrated gets repeated.

If it works for you, post your favorite motivational quote at your desk and say it out loud every morning to yourself in the mirror. You basically have to give yourself a pep talk all the time, and then you have to stop revising your pitch for the 100^th time and just hit send. Keep sending until you get a response. You have to realize that your ideas and your way of writing and expressing an idea are unique in this world, and your work needs to be out there and seen. Even if you don’t get direct, vocal feedback or a round of applause. You need to give yourself some applause.

Especially for less experienced freelance writers, being more confident (or faking it!) allows you to forge ahead instead of wondering if you will ever belong or be good enough to submit to that top publication. If you want to pitch the New York Times, do it! You never know until you try.

“You have to realize that your ideas and your way of writing and expressing an idea are unique in this world, and your work needs to be out there and seen.”

WOW: Faking it is definitely helpful! And you’re right, you don’t get many “kudos” from editors. That’s why it’s important to remind ourselves of our own skills. I feel like the idea of pitching a top publication comes with so many hurdles and roadblocks. Is that a common feeling for freelancers? What do you tell them about that?

Suchi:  Very common. But the thing is, it’s so much easier than figuring out exactly how to find an editor’s email address and the writer’s guidelines (and even if there aren’t any, it’s okay, you just need the right email, and you’re on your way!). And that’s just the technical stuff. As with any kind of writing, you need to be a good reader to be a good writer, right? So I always say that you need to study the articles in your dream pub that are similar in style/department to the one you want to pitch. Read as much as you can from your dream pub—and once the editor sees your pitch matching their style, you’ve already passed a big hurdle, you’ve shown that you are actually familiar with their mission, their tone. It will be obvious that you put in the time and effort, and that’s a big deal. That’s a sign that you are also respecting the editor’s time (which they have very little of) and not just mass emailing the same exact pitch to every single dream pub on your list without making any changes. 

As you said in the question, it’s just “the idea of pitching” that comes with hurdles and roadblocks, which are all in your mind. Because the strategy for a top publication is essentially the same as for a less popular publication. But we blow it up in our minds, hesitate, don’t think we’re good enough, etc., which makes pitching the big pub scarier. Just make your pitch the best it can be, adjust it according to the publication’s needs, and press send. It’s that simple.

Also, very important to keep in mind: editors are humans too, with relationships and busy lives and full inboxes, so if they don't respond, it doesn’t mean they are ignoring you or rejecting your idea. Make sure to follow up a couple more times in case they missed your email. (Unless their guidelines state not to follow up!)

WOW:  Great tips! Now, if we can all just get out of our own heads to overcome those roadblocks. So, when it comes to coaching, how do you really get to the root of what a writer needs help with?

Suchi: I like to interview my client and see what motivates him or her: why do they continue to choose freelance writing as a career, what are their priorities: getting big bylines, making a certain amount of money per month, scoring press trips, making an impact on society with their writing work, etc.? Having clarity on this really helps us to unravel their biggest needs at the moment. 

“If all the research you are doing online is taking up more time than the time you spend on productive pitch writing and sending, or finding new clients—then you probably need a coaching session or two to get some one-on-one guidance.”

WOW: Good questions! I think we need to ask ourselves those questions often throughout our writing journey. Why should a writer invest in themselves by hiring a coach?

Suchi:  So, it might not be for everyone. If you are good at sticking to a consistent pitching schedule and don’t feel overwhelmed by the pitching process or how to find clients or different niches, then it sounds like you don’t need my help. However, if you have been reading over all the freelance writing groups on Facebook, Reddit, following freelance writers on Instagram, and signing up for every free video course or newsletter about freelance writing, well, there is a good chance you are overwhelmed by all the different and possibly conflicting tips.

That is definitely how I felt when starting out, and even now, I see this online everywhere. But the thing is, no one is listening to your specific concerns about your career goals and doubts, and giving you feedback on your pitches, where and who to pitch, etc. If all the research you are doing online is taking up more time than the time you spend on productive pitch writing and sending, or finding new clients—actual steps that are moving you toward making you more money—then you probably need a coaching session or two to get some one-on-one guidance.

WOW: That’s a great gauge to go by. And the industry is saturated with so much advice, having that one-on-one conversation about what we need help with would be so valuable. I think the battle against AI is affecting (for the lack of a better word) the “joie de vivre” of the writing life right now. How do you help writers regain their joy of writing?

Suchi: I think it’s important to write and read for fun, write creatively for yourself instead of only writing pitches that are only made to sell. Maybe try writing with a notebook and a pen. Read widely, outside of your dream pubs. Read as much as you can in your free time, but think of it as an investment in your career, in your lifelong writing education. You cannot get better at writing without being a devout reader. But aside from this: take time to regularly go offline, off-screen, and do things that energize you, that inspire you. Do hands-on activities. Take a little trip somewhere. You never know when and where your next story idea will come from. Refresh yourself away from technology and see how you feel when you get back to your keyboard.

WOW:  Great tips. I love how you mention reading is an investment in your career! As someone who is often busy, reading is typically the first thing to go. That’s a habit I need to change. My own personal battle with pitching editors comes with finding ideas. What are ways writers can mine ideas in their lives or in the world around them?

Suchi: For me, one of the best ways to come up with ideas is to write down the questions and wonderings you have about things you notice in your daily life. As a writer, your job is to be curious, observant. And your articles can answer those questions—questions that many other people may have, including editors!

“Consider that your idea can take many forms: a personal essay, a reported article, a listicle, a round-up, a review, or a profile. Maybe you can pitch the idea in different formats to different publications, depending on their current needs.”

WOW: I love that idea! I plan to put that into action. With that said, how can we turn those ideas into actual pitches?

Suchi:  The challenge then comes in matching those ideas to the right publication. And often, your idea needs to not only be fleshed out according to the style and needs of the publication, but also most likely needs to be “wow and now,” as an editor once told me. So just because the idea is new to you doesn’t mean it’s a new concept—however, there might be a new twist or update on that concept, something newsworthy that readers may not have heard about yet. Also consider that your idea can take many forms: a personal essay, a reported article, a listicle, a round-up, a review, or a profile. Maybe you can pitch the idea in different formats to different publications, depending on their current needs. Again, it’s really all about studying the publication. And it might also help to research the editor you are pitching and find out if they mention their typical interests anywhere.

WOW:  I love this! It reminded me of a piece of wisdom that I read from a writer once about how they never just use an idea once, but rather, allow it to take many forms (just like you said!).

Suchi, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. You shared so many great tips that I plan on using myself.

Ready to take your writing to the next level? Book a FREE 20-minute consultation with Suchi and find out how she can help you overcome your own writing struggles and finally land your dream publication.

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Nicole Pyles is a freelance writer living in Portland, Oregon. She has written for numerous publications, including Better Homes and Gardens, The Spruce, National Geographic, Tom's Guide, and more. Her creative writing has appeared in Sky Island Journal, Arlington Literary Journal, The Voices Project, The Ocotillo Review, and Gold Man Review. Her short story, “The Mannequin of Lot 18,” was nominated for Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy for 2024. Since she’s not active on social media very much, stay in touch by following her writing blog at World of My Imagination.