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

In this super short episode Estelle Erasmus shares a recap of her year with Freelance Writing Direct and her book, Writing That Gets Noticed, which just received a Zibby Award for the "Best Book For The Writer". There is so much more to come, so be sure to keep following the podcast, and Estelle's website EstelleSErasmus.com and her substack at https://estelleserasmus.substack.com Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes-Writing That Gets Noticed is now a course for the Journalism Certificate) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social The Articles/News Estelle Mentioned Inc. Magazine: 17 Small Changes That Will Make Your Writing Irresistible, According to an NYU Writing Professor.https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/17-small-changes-that-will-make-your-writing-irresistible-according-to-an-nyu-writing-professor.html Inc. Magazine: Here's How Smart People Use the Empathy Rule to Make Sure Their Emails Get Read https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/heres-how-smart-people-use-empathy-rule-to-make-sure-their-emails-get-read.html Freedom with Writing: An Interview with Editor/Author Estelle Erasmus https://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/interview-with-editor-author-estelle-erasmus/ Writing That Gets Noticed Wins a Zibby Award https://estelleserasmus.com/writing-that-gets-noticed-wins-a-zibby-award/ Writing That Gets Noticed is Now an Official NYU Journalism Course https://estelleserasmus.com/writing-that-gets-noticed-is-now-an-official-nyu-journalism-course/

In this episode: The genesis of this book [3:29] Why parents should be addressing tough topics with their children [6:20] Why yelling works sometimes [8:25] The danger in outside sources of information such as TikTok [15:14] Strategies she used to research the book [16:27] Writing in a reader-friendly style [20:02] Known as the "Conversation Doc," Dr. Robyn Silverman is a child and teen development specialist and author of the [forthcoming] book, How to Talk to Kids About Anything, as well as the host of the popular podcast of the same name. She is a cofounder of the Powerful Words Character System, which gives educators the talking points they need to help children become kind, responsible citizens of the world. Dr. Robyn has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Early Show and Nightline and has been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, CNN.com, and many other publications. She lives with her husband, two kids and a fuzzy rescue dog who loves sunning himself on their front steps, even in the summer heat of North Carolina. Connect with Dr. Robyn: Website: https://parenting.drrobynsilverman.com Podcast: https://drrobynsilverman.com/category/podcast/ Get her book: https://parenting.drrobynsilverman.com/book Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes-Writing That Gets Noticed is now a course for the Journalism Certificate) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social

In this episode: Writing from a neurodivergent perspective [3:29] Working as an advocate [5:48] Drawing real life into fiction writing [6:13] The benefit of using sensitivity readers [6:31] The importance of writing inclusive books [5:25] Tips on the process of publishing children books [12:36] An autistic mom of three autistic kids, Jen Malia is the author of The Infinity Rainbow Club series and Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism. She is Professor of English and Creative Writing Coordinator at Norfolk State University. She has written for or appeared on the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR, Parents, Glamour, Woman's Day, and others. She has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern California and is pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from Pittsburgh, she currently lives with her husband and three kids in Virginia Beach. Connect with Jen: Website: JenMalia.com Information about Jen's Books: https://jenmalia.com/books/the-infinity-rainbow-club-series/ Jen's Publisher's information: https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/author/8504/Jen-Malia Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes-Writing That Gets Noticed is now a course for the Journalism Certificate) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social The website designer Websy Daisy: https://websydaisy.com/

In this episode: How Bianca writes about different genres [2:45] Writing a story from many POVs [4:47] Opening a novel in a compelling way when there are multiple characters [5:26] The way Bianca included research into her fantasy book [9:02] Exploring the science of magic [11:08] The backstory to The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast [18:45] Bianca's tips for interviewing and writing [28:11] Bianca Marais is the author of the bestselling The Witches of Moonshyne Manor, as well as the beloved Hum If You Don't Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, as well as the Audible Original, The Prynne Viper. She taught at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies where she was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing in 2021. She's the co-host of the popular podcast, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, which is aimed at helping emerging writers become published. She now teaches creative writing through the podcast and in her personal capacity. She lives in Toronto with her husband and golden retriever, and she's furiously working away on finishing her next novel. Connect with Bianca: Twitter: @BiancaM_author and @TSNOTYAW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ and https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biancamaraisauthor Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes-Writing That Gets Noticed is now a course for the Journalism Certificate) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social

In this episode: Writer's Digest's publication schedule [3:52] The niches that print and online cover [2:12] Writing and craft tips Amy has gleaned from novelists [8:40] The secret to a writer's persistence, when being faced with rejection [20:49] Amy's dream 2024 articles and pitches based on the Writer's Digest editorial calendar [23:52] Where to send submissions [26:27] Paid subscribers to Estelle's substack get to see even more from Amy Jones (https://estelleserasmus.substack.com) Amy Jones is Editor-in-Chief of Writer's Digest and the former managing content director for Writer's Digest Books. She is the editor of the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market and the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market. Prior to joining the WD team, she was the managing editor for North Light Books and IMPACT Books. She also spent time producing instructional videos for ArtistsNetworkTV. Like most WD staffers, Amy is a voracious reader and has a particular interest in literary fiction, historical fiction, page-turning mysteries, and steamy romance. She volunteers for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and at Ohio Alleycat Resource, her local no-kill cat shelter. Connect with Amy Jones: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyMJones_5 Instagram: https://Instagram.com/AmyMJones_5 Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes-Writing That Gets Noticed is now a course for the Journalism Certificate) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social Estelle's latest piece for Writer's Digest What To Do to Maximize Your Launch Week and Get Your Book Noticed https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-to-maximize-your-launch-week-and-get-your-book-noticed

In this episode: What Mom Rage is and why this topic is relevant [2:06] Why Minna decided to write about this parenting topic [2:54] Writing about a controversial topic and feminist values [22:32] Tips for pitching and creating scenes that resonate with readers [20:12] To see additional clips, please visit https://estelleserasmus.substack.com Minna Dubin (she/her) is the author of MOM RAGE: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood. Her writing has been featured in the New York Times, Oprah Daily, The Times Sunday Magazine, Salon, Lit Hub, Parents, Romper, and elsewhere. She is the recipient of an artist enrichment grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. As a leading feminist voice on mom rage, Minnahas appeared on MSNBC, Good Morning America, The Tamron Hall Show, the BBC and NPR. She lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband, two kids, and no pets because enough is enough. Connect with Minna: Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood: https://www.minnadubin.com/book Website: https://www.minnadubin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minnadubin/ X: https://twitter.com/minnadubin Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes-Writing That Gets Noticed is now a course for the Journalism Certificate) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social Estelle's piece on postpartum rage for Parents.com What Postpartum Rage Looked Like for One New Mom https://www.parents.com/baby/health/postpartum-depression/i-was-uncontrollably-angry-after-giving-birth/ Estelle's interview on CapeTalk for her article on postpartum rage. https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/487132/postpartum-rage-a-symptom-of-postpartum-depression-why-don-t-we-talk-about-it

In this episode: How to locate and verify images to use with your writing [4:05] What exactly is a photo license? [5:00] Free sources for writers to find pictures [10:10] Keywords to help find the best photos for your creative writing pieces [11:12] Specs to consider, such as color, composition and file size [15:11] How colors can impact the way people feel about your writing [15:11] How Nicole got into this niche industry [18:09] Nicole DiMella is a lifelong art student, working as a photographer, with photographers, and with photography her entire career. She believes pictures have the power to teach and is doing her small part to grow brains of all ages every day. With publishers such as Encyclopedia Britannica, National Geographic and Dorling Kindersley she consults on image research, copyright and permissions, and photo editing. She also works one-on-one with authors and other content creators to find and clear images for their projects. Nicole was going to be a rock photographer but instead lives in New Jersey and drives a minivan. Connect with Nicole: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ndimella/ Website: lemon-snap.com/ Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social Estelle's Interview in Freedom with Writing: https://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/interview-with-editor-author-estelle-erasmus/ Her Interviews for Inc. Magazine 17 Small Changes That Will Make Your Writing Irresistible, According to An NYU Writing Professor: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/17-small-changes-that-will-make-your-writing-irresistible-according-to-an-nyu-writing-professor.html How Smart People Use the Empathy Rule to Make Sure Their Emails Get Read: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/heres-how-smart-people-use-empathy-rule-to-make-sure-their-emails-get-read.html

In this episode: Teri's process for writing about herself in her book How a small every day moment can be universal through writing How Teri structured her book to encompass different topics The practice of elevating your readers with your writing Writing with humor. Why the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop registration is an appointment event Teri Rizvi is the founder and director of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at the University of Dayton, where she serves as executive director of strategic communications. She is the author of One Heart with Courage: Essays and Stories and the co-editor of Laugh Out Loud: 40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now ... Before We Forget and Sisters!, Bonded by Love and Laughter, both published in conjunction with the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. Her essay "Living in the Moment" appeared in Fast Fierce Women (Woodhall Press, 2022). Her essays and feature stories have appeared in USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, The Guardian (London), University of Dayton Magazine and the Dayton Daily News, among other print and online media. Connect with Teri Website: https://teririzvi.com Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop: https://go.udayton.edu/erma Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social Estelle's interview with Zibby Owens on Freelance Writing Direct https://estelleserasmus.com/36-zibby-owens-is-upending-the-publishing-world/ Estelle's Interview in Freedom with Writing: https://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/interview-with-editor-author-estelle-erasmus/ Her Interviews for Inc. Magazine 17 Small Changes That Will Make Your Writing Irresistible, According to An NYU Writing Professor: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/17-small-changes-that-will-make-your-writing-irresistible-according-to-an-nyu-writing-professor.html How Smart People Use the Empathy Rule to Make Sure Their Emails Get Read: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/heres-how-smart-people-use-empathy-rule-to-make-sure-their-emails-get-read.html

In this episode: How Audrey came up with the idea of her book Girls and Their Monsters: The Genain Quadruplets and the Making of Madness in America [5:23] Audrey's process of writing about real life people from history [9:32] Advice for simplifying complex topics so the readers can understand it easier [11:42] Integrating research into writing [13:43] Tips for identifying the untold parts of stories and finding the lessons in them [23:21] Integrating societal issues in your writing [25:44] Audrey Clare Farley is a writer, editor, and scholar of twentieth-century American culture with special interests in science and religion. She earned a PhD in English literature at University of Maryland, College Park. She now teaches U.S. history at Mount St. Mary's University. She is the author, most recently, of Girls and Their Monsters: The Genain Quadruplets and the Making of Madness in America, which was reviewed in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, Associated Press, and Times Literary Supplement. Her own essays have appeared in the Atlantic, New Republic, Washington Post, and many other outlets. She lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Connect with Audrey: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AudreyCFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreycfarley/ Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/audrey-clare-farley/girls-and-their-monsters/9781538724477/?lens=grand-central-publishing Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social Estelle's Interview in Freedom with Writing: https://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/interview-with-editor-author-estelle-erasmus/ Her Interviews for Inc. Magazine 17 Small Changes That Will Make Your Writing Irresistible, According to An NYU Writing ProfessorL https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/17-small-changes-that-will-make-your-writing-irresistible-according-to-an-nyu-writing-professor.html How Smart People Use the Empathy Rule to Make Sure Their Emails Get Read: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/heres-how-smart-people-use-empathy-rule-to-make-sure-their-emails-get-read.html

In this episode: The inspiration behind and evolution of Emily's book, Cost of Living [2:27] Emily's research process to get specific details for her essays [5:43] Writing about a broken system, and getting feedback from people with opposing views [10:05] How she details her personal medical experiences [13:17] The benefit of finding a supportive writing group [22:08] Her next book [25:15] Emily Maloney is the author of COST OF LIVING (Holt), a USA Today Best Book of 2022. Her work has also appeared in Glamour, Virginia Quarterly Review, Best American Essays, and the American Journal of Nursing, among others. In addition to her work as an EMT and ER tech, she has worked as a dog groomer, pastry chef, general contractor, tile setter, and catalog model and has sold her ceramics at art fairs. Maloney has twice been awarded a MacDowell Fellowship. She lives in Evanston, Illinois. Her next book, BURN THIS HOUSE DOWN, is forthcoming in 2025. Connect with Emily: Website: https://www.emilymaloney.net Substack: https://substack.com/@emilymaloney Connect with Estelle: Her website: https://estelleserasmus.com (sign up for her newsletter and receive her free pitching guide). Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://estelleserasmus.com/books/writing-that-gets-noticed/ Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes) https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@estelleserasmus Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social Estelle's Interviews for Inc. Magazine 17 Small Changes That Will Make Your Writing Irresistible, According to An NYU Writing Professor https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/17-small-changes-that-will-make-your-writing-irresistible-according-to-an-nyu-writing-professor.html How Smart People Use the Empathy Rule to Make Sure Their Emails Get Read: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/heres-how-smart-people-use-empathy-rule-to-make-sure-their-emails-get-read.html