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

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Allison K. Williams. Allison has edited and coached writers to deals with Penguin Random House, Knopf, Mantle, Spencer Hill, St. Martin's, and independent presses. She has guided essayists to publication in the New Yorker, Time, the Guardian, the New York Times, McSweeney's, and TED Talks. As Social Media Editor for Brevity, she inspires thousands of writers with blogs on craft and the writing life. She's also the author of Get Published in Literary Magazines. A former circus performer, Allison has written for NPR, CBC-Canada, the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, Creative Nonfiction, McSweeney's, Kenyon Review Online and Travelers' Tales. In this episode: Allison's journey from circus performer to writer and editor Tips for self-editing your work The benefit of writing retreats Connect with Allison: Website: https://allisonkwilliams.com Get Seven Drafts: http://sevendrafts.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/guerillamemoir Facebook: awilliamscdn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guerillamemoir/ Allison's upcoming class: Project Memoir April 20 - June 8, 2023 https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Pmsc4NUcGaf3lXpvt2NbqQfMRaSBAgBX Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Estelle's Substack: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://lnkd.in/eyxFTpcA Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Noah Michelson. Noah is the Editorial Director of HuffPost Personal and the host of "D Is For Desire," HuffPost's love and sex podcast. He joined HuffPost in 2011 to launch and oversee the site's first vertical dedicated to queer issues, Queer Voices, and went on to oversee all of HuffPost's community sections before pivoting to create and run HuffPost Personal in 2018. He received his MFA in Poetry from New York University and has served as a commentator for the BBC, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, Current TV, Fuse, Sirius XM and HuffPost Live. In this episode: Noah's unlikely start to his career in journalism. The emotional impact of telling stories that resonate. What Noah looks for in a story from a writer. Connect with Noah: HuffPost Profile: https://www.huffpost.com/author/noah-michelson Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoahMichelson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noahmichelson1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NoahMichelson/ Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://lnkd.in/eyxFTpcA Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki spoke with editor/author, Alan Henry. Alan Henry is the author of Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized. He is a service journalist and editor who writes and commissions stories that help readers make better use of technology and embrace a healthier relationship with it in their lives. He is currently the special projects editor at WIRED. He was previously the Smarter Living editor at the New York Times, and before that the editor in chief of the productivity and lifestyle blog Lifehacker. In this episode: Connecting with editors and understanding what they want to publish. How to be seen in the workplace. Henry's tips for freelancers on writing and self-editing. Advice on working with a publishing company. Connect with Alan: Email: alan_henry@wired.com Personal Email: alanhenry@novaworks.net Website: https://www.alan-henry.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/halophoenix Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://lnkd.in/eyxFTpcA Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus speaks with News Anchor, Jen Maxfield. Jen Maxfield is an Emmy-award-winning reporter and anchor for NBC New York in 2013. Prior to joining the station, she worked for Eyewitness news as a reporter and substitute anchor for 10 years. She started her broadcasting career in 2000 in upstate New York and moved to the city in 2002. She has reported live from 1000s of news events over her 22-year career and estimates that she has interviewed more than 10,000 people. In addition to being a journalist, she is an adjunct professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, teaching courses in broadcast journalism including Video 1 and On-Air skills. Maxfield's first book, More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories, the book was published in July 2022 and was an instant Amazon bestseller. She loves coming back to her alma mater to educate a new generation of journalists. In this episode: Writing a book that elicits strong emotions and navigating those feelings. The value of community. Jen's tips for 'writing for the ear' aka television, radio, and video. Interviewing techniques for broadcast journalism. Advice on facing rejection and not allowing the word "no" to get in your way. Connect with Jen: Website: https://www.jenmaxfield.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmaxfieldnews/ Purchase More After the Break: https://www.jenmaxfield.com/author/ Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497 Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1608688364?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_MF3W8GPJA1AN4R0CDR69&fbclid=IwAR04EFtFpEblIwFS1odm8ERpr5feWjEzgGrs5apqzTn3GaI8s_vzpIXEGlc Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Sherry Paprocki speaks with Michelle Rafter. Michelle has spent her career writing about business and technology, first as a newspaper reporter, then as a freelance reporter, columnist, and editor for national and local publications. Today, she ghostwrites books, research reports, and thought leadership articles on business, enterprise technology, and the future of work for CEOs and global consulting firms. Michelle is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). She lives in Portland, OR with her family and wire fox terrier, Juniper. Off the clock, she loves strength training, the New York Times Spelling Bee, hanging out with her 3 adult children, reading, and watching movies. In this episode: How Michelle began her career in newspapers and transitioned to freelance writing. Building long-lasting relationships within the writing industry Michelle's tips for other freelance writers Connect with Michelle: Website: https://michellerafter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellerafter/ Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497 Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174 Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speaks with Tami Kamin Meyer. Tami is an attorney and freelance writer based in Columbus Ohio. She writes primarily about law, business, cannabis, health, and travel for Forbes, MarketWatch, Better Homes and Gardens, Next Avenue, Your Teen, National Trial Lawyer, and Ohio Magazine, to name a few. She is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, where she is Chair of the Marketing/Communications Committee. As Editor of Write Now Columbus, Kamin Meyer oversees a monthly e-newsletter about the burgeoning literary scene in central Ohio. In 2020, she was named to the Board of Editors of the Columbus Bar Association. In this episode: Integrating Law and Writing into a niche. Transitioning from being an attorney to full time freelance writing. When to get a Lawyer to review contracts Connect with Tami: Website: https://tamikaminmeyer.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamikaminmeyer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamikaminmeyer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/girlwithapen Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497 Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174 Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Sherry Paprocki speaks with Teresa Woodard. Teresa Woodard is a writer and field editor for regional and national consumer magazines and their digital outlets. She is contributing garden editor at Midwest Living magazine, content creator for an online plant store, co-author of American Roots: Reimagining Our Home Gardens (Timber Press; Fall 2022) and a another garden book (Timber Press, 2024). She designs perennial borders and native landscapes for central Ohio clients and reviews landscape designs for the ARC of a residential conservation development. ​Over the past 15 years, she's contributed to Midwest Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Gardens, Chicago Tribune, Living the Country Life, Ohio Magazine and Columbus Monthly magazine. Teresa was awarded the 2016 Gold Award for Magazine Writing by The Association of Garden Communicators for her story, "Honey Harvest," for Country Gardens Magazine (Fall 2015) and she has continued her winning streak with a couple of Silver Awards in the last two years. In this episode: How Teresa found her passion for gardening and put her roots down in the niche of gardening. The benefits of joining a writers group Tips for becoming a regular contributor to a magazine How to build lasting relationships with editors Connect with Teresa: Website: https://www.teresawoodard.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresapwoodard/ Get Teresa's book: https://www.amazon.com/American-Roots-Inspiration-Designers-Reimagining/dp/1643261169 Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497 Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174 Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Lisa L. Lewis. Lisa L. Lewis is the author of The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, And How Parents And Schools Can Help Them Thrive, described as "a call to action" by Arianna Huffington and "an urgent and timely read" by Daniel H. Pink. The book is an outgrowth of her previous work on the topic, including her role helping get California's landmark law on healthy school start times passed. Lewis has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and others, and has appeared on the Today show, BBC "Weekend," and local radio and TV in Los Angeles, San Francisco and elsewhere. She's a parent to a teen and a recent teen and lives in Southern California. In this episode: How Lisa wrote op-ed pieces on the importance of sleep for teens, and had her work noticed by a State Senator. Gaining authority in your niche. Getting your message out into the public Tips on building connections through writing. Connect with Lisa: Website: www.lisallewis.com Book: https://www.lisallewis.com/book Instagram: http://instagram.com/lewislisal Twitter: https://twitter.com/lewislisal Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497 Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174 Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus speaks with Cheryl Maguire about repurposing writing through reprints. Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of boy/girl twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, AARP and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. In this episode: How Cheryl has made over $10,000 by reprinting her articles Maintaining the rights to your work so you can later resell it. How to find new media markets to pitch reprints to Who to pitch to, when to pitch and how to pitch. Connect with Cheryl: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylMaguire05 LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-maguire05/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmag05/ Cheryl's Article in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/02/03/adhd-relationships-social-capital-tips/ Parenting Magazine Writers Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RegionalParentingMagazineWriters/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Her latest in Success magazine: Managing the Mess: Creating Organizational Systems After an ADHD Diagnosis https://www.success.com/managing-the-mess-creating-organizational-systems-after-an-adhd-diagnosis/ The KC Davis article: https://www.success.com/managing-the-mess-creating-organizational-systems-after-an-adhd-diagnosis/ Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Ronit Plank, a writer, editor, and teacher. Ronit has been published in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Rumpus, Hippocampus, Writer's Digest, The Iowa Review, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. She is the host/producer of the podcast Let's Talk Memoir and a nonfiction editor at The Citron Review. Her first book is the memoir When She Comes Back and her short story collection Home is A Made-Up Place, winner of the 2020 Eludia Award, will be out in 2023. In this episode: The process of writing a memoir while protecting yourself and your sanity. Ronit's experience of writing a memoir and interviewing other memoirists on her podcast. The various ways memoirs can be written. Finding a writing community to join. Connect with Ronit: Book: https://ronitplank.com/when-she-comes-back/ Website: https://ronitplank.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ Podcast: https://ronitplank.com/podcast-series/ Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com Connect with Estelle: Website: https://estelleserasmus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/ Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes Connect with Sherry: Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki Book: www.freelancefancy.com If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.