Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers, publishers, writing teachers, assigning editors and media experts. cover art

Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers, publishers, writing teachers, assigning editors and media experts.

Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers, publishers, writing teachers, assigning editors and media experts.

By: Estelle Erasmus
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 Want to get published or land a book deal? Join TEDx speaker and author Estelle Erasmus for smart writing tips, publishing insights, and behind-the-scenes advice for fiction writers, memoirists, and authors at every stage. Winner of the 2025 Podcast of the Year (Education) from the American Writing Awards, Freelance Writing Direct is your go-to podcast for writing tips, publishing advice, and insider strategies to help you get published—whether in essays, memoir, fiction, books, or journalism. Hosted by Estelle Erasmus—award-winning journalist, TEDx speaker, NYU writing professor, and author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers)—this show blends writing craft, career strategy, and behind-the-scenes publishing insight. Each week, Estelle shares short, practical episodes full of: Writing tips for essays, memoir, and books Pitch strategies that get editors' attention Publishing advice from agents and bestselling authors Solo episodes, coaching episodes and candid conversations with industry insiders Whether you're just starting your freelance writing journey or aiming for your next book deal, you’ll find actionable tools, story prompts, and the momentum you need to grow your writing career. Listeners often ask: *How do I get published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, or WIRED? *What writing tips will make my voice stand out? *How do I find an agent or land a book deal? *What do editors actually want? *How do I shape my personal story for publication? You're in the right place. It’s time to elevate your writing—with Freelance Writing Direct. 🎙️ About Estelle Erasmus Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, TEDx speaker, and author of Writing That Gets Noticed. She’s a Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest, an adjunct writing professor at NYU, and the former editor-in-chief of five national magazines. Estelle’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, AARP, Next Avenue, and The Independent, among 150+ other outlets. She is also the host of Freelance Writing Direct, named the 2025 Podcast of the Year in the Education category by the American Writing Awards. Learn more: estelleserasmus.com Newsletter: estelleserasmus.substack.com Social: @EstelleSErasmus on Instagram, X, Threads, and LinkedIn2022 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • #154 How to Engineer Your Memoir with Wendy Dale

    #154 How to Engineer Your Memoir with Wendy Dale
    Aug 28 2025
    Estelle Erasmus talks with author and memoir coach Wendy Dale, creator of The Memoir Engineering System. Wendy shares her practical, seven-step approach to structuring memoirs so writers can skip trial-and-error and finish their books with confidence. Wendy Dale is the founder of Memoir Writing for Geniuses and has spent 15 years developing a method that helps writers build their memoirs from the ground up without structural errors. She coaches both newbies and professionals, drawing on her own experience as the author of the memoir Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals (Three Rivers Press/Penguin Random House), and The Memoir Engineering System. In this episode, we discuss: Why memoir structure matters more than prose alone [3:06] The difference between remembering your life vs. creating plot [8:17] How to craft scenes that pull readers in (and avoid generic writing) [11:13] The surprising truth about universality in memoir [15:50] The role of transitions in connecting life stories [18:31] Why subjective writing is the key to emotional resonance [24:34] How to manage (and not get lost in) piles of existing material [26:50] Related Episode #131 Bonny Reichert https://estelleserasmus.com/131-the-flavor-of-trauma-a-food-memoir-wrapped-around-a-family-story/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/68mj_phSlwM Connect with Wendy Dale Website: https://www.geniusmemoirwriting.com Reality Show Website: https://www.writeorflightshow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/writerwendydale Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/memoirwritingforgeniuses YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@memoirwritingforgeniuses Connect with Estelle: Get More from Estelle: Webinar: Sign up for Estelle’s webinar on October 9th in collaboration with Writer’s Digest Mapping Your Memoir: How to Find the Heart and Shape of Your Story https://writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com/mapping-your-memoir 🎤 TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond Estelle blends personal storytelling with actionable strategies for standing out—starting with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine. 📺 Watch, comment, and share 📬 Newsletter + FREE Pitching Guide Find out more about this episode and get Estelle’s free pitching guide when you sign up for her newsletter: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast About Estelle: Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct professor at NYU, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine. She’s served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines. Explore More: 📘 Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the book | Audiobook 📰 Subscribe on Substack: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com Latest posts: “When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (and An Offer); Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story” and “How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen” 🎧 More episodes: Freelance Writing Direct Podcast Read Estelle’s latest article How to Use the Internet to Become Your Own Private Investigator (Next Avenue/PBS) Follow Estelle: Instagram: @EstelleSErasmus TikTok: @EstelleSErasmus Twitter: @EstelleSErasmus BlueSky: @estelleserasmus.bsky.social
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    44 mins
  • #153 Estelle’s Edge: Repurpose and Revitalize: How to Turn Old Writing into New Essays, Articles, and Bylines

    #153 Estelle’s Edge: Repurpose and Revitalize: How to Turn Old Writing into New Essays, Articles, and Bylines
    Aug 21 2025
    Estelle Erasmus shares strategies on how to breathe new life into the work you’ve already created. She draws from her 30+ years in publishing to reveal practical, creative ways to transform past essays, blog posts, journal entries, or even pieces from defunct websites into fresh, publishable work. In this episode: Turn older writing into micro memoirs, flash fiction, or service journalism [1:25] Rework rejected pitches into timely articles or essays [6:15] Pitch local and regional outlets for new publishing opportunities [8:20] Use past material for TEDx talks, profiles, and reported pieces [8:57] Leverage platforms like Substack, Medium, and literary journals to grow your audience [15:35] Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lGAg07y-GMo Related Episodes and Articles Episodes #139 How to Submit Your Writing to Literary Magazines and Get Published https://estelleserasmus.com/139-how-to-submit-your-writing-to-literary-magazines-and-get-published/ #88 The Founder of HARO, Launches SOS—Source of Sources https://estelleserasmus.com/88-the-founder-of-haro-peter-shankman-a-hero-to-journalists-on-deadline-launches-source-of-sources/ #18 Repurposing Writing Through Reprints https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freelance-writing-direct-with-estelle-conversations/id1647429472?i=1000596773834 Articles When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (And An Offer) https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/when-writers-are-the-ones-blocking If You are Thinking of Doing an Audiobook https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-thinking-of-doing-an-audiobook Audiobook and sample for Writing That Gets Noticed Order and listen here https://www.audiobooks.com/promotions/promotedBook/786773/writing-that-gets-noticed-find-your-voice-become-a-better-storyteller-get-published?refId=207903 Connect with Estelle: Get More from Estelle: Webinar: Sign up for Estelle’s webinar on October 9th in collaboration with Writer’s Digest Mapping Your Memoir: How to Find the Heart and Shape of Your Story https://writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com/mapping-your-memoir 🎤 TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond Estelle blends personal storytelling with actionable strategies for standing out—starting with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine. 📺 Watch, comment, and share 📬 Newsletter + FREE Pitching Guide Find out more about this episode and get Estelle’s free pitching guide when you sign up for her newsletter: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast About Estelle: Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct professor at NYU, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine. She’s served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines. Explore More: 📘 Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the book | Audiobook 📰 Subscribe on Substack: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com Latest posts: “When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (and An Offer); Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story” and “How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen” 🎧 More episodes: Freelance Writing Direct Podcast Read Estelle’s latest article How to Use the Internet to Become Your Own Private Investigator (Next Avenue/PBS) Follow Estelle: Instagram: @EstelleSErasmus TikTok: @EstelleSErasmus Twitter: @EstelleSErasmus BlueSky: @estelleserasmus.bsky.social
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    18 mins
  • #152 Estelle’s Edge on Going Viral: How to Protect Your Energy and Leverage the Moment

    #152 Estelle’s Edge on Going Viral: How to Protect Your Energy and Leverage the Moment
    Aug 14 2025

    Estelle Erasmus walks you through the exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming experience of going viral as a writer. With multiple viral articles under her belt (featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, HuffPost, and more), Estelle shares hard-earned wisdom on how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster, manage the spotlight, and make the most of sudden visibility.

    Whether your piece is trending online, being picked up internationally, or even discussed on national TV, this episode gives you the tools to handle the moment with grace, clarity, and strategy.

    In this episode:

    • What going viral really means in the publishing and media world [1:18]

    • Estelle’s personal experiences with viral essays and the unexpected outcomes [2:02]

    • How to prepare for the emotional and logistical aftermath of virality [3:37]

    • Why setting boundaries (auto-responders, media filters, social media limits) is essential [6:09]

    • Strategies for turning viral momentum into long-term career opportunities (book deals, speaking gigs, newsletter growth, more) [11:45]

    WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/NUCd5P-Zdk0

    Article Referenced: When to Reply on Social Media...And When To Not (Wired)

    https://www.wired.com/story/when-to-reply-on-social-media-and-when-to-not/

    Get More from Estelle:

    📬 Newsletter + FREE Pitching Guide
    Find out more about this episode and get Estelle’s free pitching guide when you sign up for her newsletter: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast

    🎤 TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond
    Estelle blends personal storytelling with actionable strategies for standing out—starting with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine.
    📺 Watch, comment, and share

    About Estelle:

    Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct professor at NYU, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine. She’s served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.

    Explore More:

    • 📘 Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the book | Audiobook

    • 📰 Subscribe on Substack: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com
      Latest posts: “Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story” and “How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen”

    • 🎧 More episodes: Freelance Writing Direct Podcast

    • Read Estelle’s latest article How to Use the Internet to Become Your Own Private Investigator (Next Avenue/PBS)

    Classes:

    📝 One spot left in Estelle’s September/October 6-week Zoom fiction class. Email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com for info.

    Follow Estelle:

    • Instagram: @EstelleSErasmus

    • TikTok: @EstelleSErasmus

    • Twitter: @EstelleSErasmus

    • BlueSky: @estelleserasmus.bsky.social
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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