Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle
Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle is an award-winning podcast hosted by Estelle Erasmus, a NYU writing professor and former magazine editor-in-chief. It features candid conversations with bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishing insiders about writing craft, memoir, publishing, platform-building, and getting noticed. The show offers practical strategies and actionable advice for writers at every stage, from pitching essays to pursuing a book deal. Listeners can also find more resources on Estelle's website and Substack newsletter.
Episodes
#212 My Takeaways from the People of Publishing Conference 2026
What are publishing leaders talking about, and what can writers learn from those conversations? In this solo episode of Freelance Writing Direct, I share my takeaways from the 2026 AALA People of Publishing Conference in New York City, co-founded by Regina Brooks and Lynn Johnston. This event is sponsored and planned by the Association of American Literary Agents. From women's leadership to publis
#211 Advertising, Approval, and the Future We're Being Sold with Lu Chekowsky
Before we get to the episode, I have news: Freelance Writing Direct is a Signal Awards finalist in Education! If the podcast has helped you with your writing, I'd love your vote for the Listener's Choice Award. Vote here by October 15. Thank you for cheering me on! Now for today's episode: What happens when the person selling the story starts questioning the story she's been sold? In this episode
#210 Reinvention, Vulnerability, and Writing a Life in Essays with Zibby Owens
In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, I talk with bestselling author, podcaster, and Zibby Media founder Zibby Owens about her new memoir in essays, Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot. Zibby shares how she sorted through approximately 500 pages of essays and found the structure that could hold stories about divorce, remarriage, motherhood, friendship
#209 Encore: The Pitching Secrets That Get Editors' Attention
In this solo episode from the Freelance Writing Direct archives, Estelle Erasmus breaks down real pitches to show what works, what doesn't, and how to make your ideas more compelling to editors. You'll learn how to sharpen your hook, add the right details and research, show editors your access and expertise, and structure a pitch so they can immediately see how the story will come together. Estel
#208 Layering Memory, Meaning, and Motifs in Memoir with Cinelle Barnes
In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, award-winning author and memoirist Cinelle Barnes joins me to talk about how A Way Home evolved from a Philippines travel memoir into a layered story of travel, family, identity, recovery, and finding home after she suffered, and recovered from a brain aneurysm. We discuss how she braided different threads and timelines together, found connections betwe
#207 Writing Humor, Character, and Love That Lasts with Steven Rowley
What makes humor work on the page? And how do you write about love after the meet-cute, when a relationship has lasted for decades? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, I talk with New York Times bestselling author Steven Rowley about his new novel, Take Me With You, a love story with a touch of science fiction that asks a fascinating question: If you had the chance to leave everything beh
#206 How to Build a Journalism Career in a Changing Media Landscape
What does it take to build a career in journalism when the media landscape keeps shifting? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with her former NYU High School Academy student Abigail Meyers, a digital and multimedia storyteller whose work spans journalism, creative services, social media, advocacy, and political communications. Abigail shares how an early interest in
#205 The Art of Crafting the Self in Memoir with Hyeseung Song
Estelle Erasmus speaks with Hyeseung Song, author of Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl, about shaping nearly 40 years of life into a memoir, finding the right structure, and writing honestly about family, identity, and mental health. They also talked about how Hyeseung's life as an artist and painter informs the way she sees and writes the self. In this episode: Structuring a memoir
#204 Finding Urgency in Your Memoir and Selling It Without an Agent with Michelle Tamara Cutler
Award-winning screenwriter, storytelling coach, and developmental editor Michelle Tamara Cutler joins Estelle Erasmus to discuss the evolution of her forthcoming reported memoir, I Won't Let You Die Alone, and how she sold the book to Bloomsbury without an agent. Michelle shares how a project that began with the death of her aunt transformed when caring for her aging mother gave the story a new ur
#203 Weaving Memoir Plus Through 50 Swims with Kate Washington
What happens when a personal challenge becomes a path back to yourself? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with Kate Washington, author of Midstream: A Life Remade in 50 Swims, about how a challenge to swim in 50 natural bodies of water before turning 50 became a memoir about midlife, change, and self-rediscovery. Kate shares how she blended personal narrative with
#202 AI, Podcasts, and Discoverability: My Biggest Takeaways from the U.S. Book Show
Before we begin, an announcement: I'm so excited to be speaking with celebrity makeup artist Ramy Gafni today in the next episode of my Substack Live series, Musings on Magazines: The Story Behind the Story. Join us today, July 30, at 4 p.m. ET as we go behind the scenes of magazine makeovers, beauty photo shoots, and editorial life in the '90s and early 2000s. I've known Ramy for more than 30 yea
#201 Writing an Immersive Reading Experience with Bonnie Friedman
Before we begin an announcment: I'm so excited to be speaking with celebrity makeup artist Ramy Gafni in the next episode of my Substack Live series, Musings on Magazines: The Story Behind the Story. Join us on Thursday, July 30, at 4 p.m. ET as we go behind the scenes of magazine makeovers, beauty photo shoots, and editorial life in the '90s and early 2000s, when print was king and I was a magaz
#200 How Borrowed Forms Unlock Story: Hermit Crab and Braided Essays with Brenda Miller
Welcome to the 200th episode of Freelance Writing Direct! I'm incredibly grateful to every guest who has generously shared their wisdom over the years, and to all of you who listen, watch, subscribe, review, and support the show. Reaching this milestone has been a joy, and I'm excited to continue bringing you conversations that help you grow as a writer. To celebrate this special episode, I'm join
#199 Turning Chaos into Compelling Stories with Courtney Kocak
Welcome to new subscribers. First, an announcement: My first Substack Live in my new series Musings on Magazines: The Story Behind the Story was with former Chatelaine Editor-in-Chief Rona Maynard. Here is the link to the video of our fun and fearless discussion:of our lives in magazines in the 90s and early aughts. https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/live-with-estelle-erasmus-and-rona Sign
#198 Micro Memoirs with Maximum Impact: Distilling a Life into Seventy 70-Word Stories with Deborah Sosin
Welcome to new subscribers. First, an announcement: My first Substack Live in my new series Musings on Magazines: The Story Behind the Story was with former Chatelaine Editor-in-Chief Rona Maynard. Here is the link to the video of our fun and fearless discussion:of our lives in magazines in the 90s and early aughts. https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/live-with-estelle-erasmus-and-rona Sign
#197 How Dual Timelines Brought a Family Story to Life with Tiffany Graham Charkosky
Welcome to new subscribers. First, an announcement: My first Substack Live will be with former Chatelaine Editor-in-Chief Rona Maynard on June 25 at 4 p.m. ET. Here is the link to the post: Musings on Magazines: The Story Behind the Story. https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/musings-on-magazines-the-story-behind Sign up and dive into the magazine archives with us to hear behind-the-scenes st
#196 Going Back Through Time to Get the Story: Dionne Ford on Family History, Reporting, and Memoir
In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with acclaimed author Dionne Ford about her memoir Go Back and Get It, a powerful exploration of family history, ancestry, and identity. Dionne shares how journalistic research, personal reflection, and historical investigation came together to help her uncover the stories of her enslaved ancestors while examining themes that conti
#195 Writing Through Brain Fog, Chronic Illness, and Uncertainty with Rachel Weaver
What happens when you wake up one day dizzy and it never stops? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with acclaimed author Rachel Weaver about her powerful new memoir, Dizzy. Rachel shares how she navigated nearly two decades of chronic illness before finding relief, and how she transformed that experience into a compelling braided memoir that weaves together her year
#194 Why Wade Rouse Finally Wrote the Book He Was Meant to Write
Just in time for Pride month, in this heartfelt and often hilarious conversation, Estelle Erasmus talks with USA Today bestselling author Wade Rouse and his husband, Gary Edwards, about Wade's deeply personal new novel, That's What Friends Are For. After publishing bestselling novels under the pen name Viola Shipman, Wade shares why he felt compelled to write this story under his own name and how
#193 Restorative Writing with Carolyn Roy-Bornstein
In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus speaks with Carolyn Roy-Bornstein about restorative writing, burnout, and healing through storytelling. Carolyn shares how writing became a lifeline after her son survived a devastating car accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury. She explains how journaling and narrative writing helped her process ambiguous grief, anger, a
#192 How to Get Published inThe Persistent with Features Editor Paula Derrow
How to Get Published in The Persistent with Features Editor Paula Derrow What makes a pitch stand out in today's crowded publishing landscape? And what exactly are editors looking for from writers right now? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus speaks with writer and editor Paula Derrow, Features Editor at The Persistent, the feminist publication known for publishing voice-
#191 Writing Characters Who Make Questionable Decisions with Vanessa Hua
What makes readers care about flawed characters making questionable decisions? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with bestselling author Vanessa Hua about her new novel Coyoteland and the craft behind creating emotionally layered fiction filled with tension, community, family dynamics, and difficult choices. They discuss: • Writing omniscient and multiple point-of-
#190 Building a Memoir Around a Defining Moment with Jacque Gorelick
In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus speaks with author Jacque Gorelick about her debut memoir Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Finding the Way Home, a powerful, braided narrative that weaves a present-day medical crisis with a deeply personal exploration of family, identity, estrangement, and belonging. Jacque shares the harrowing inciting incident at the center
#189 Turning a Story of Escape Into a Powerful Memoir And Real Impact with Tia Levings
Freelance Writing Direct chats with Tia Levings about writing a memoir of escape, and how strong scenes, structure, and editorial choices turn personal experience into a powerful narrative. Tia Levings is the New York Times bestselling author of A Well-Trained Wife, a memoir about her escape from Christian patriarchy and high-control religious culture. She writes about religious trauma, evangelica
#188 Reclaiming "Selfish": On Craft, Creativity, and Braiding Truth into Memoir With Kerry Docherty
In this episode, Estelle Erasmus talks with Kerry Docherty, author of Selfish: Unlearning, Reclaiming, and Telling the Truth, about what it really takes to write a bold, emotionally honest memoir. They dive into: Why "selfish" is a loaded word for women and how to reclaim it Starting a memoir with rupture to hook the reader Using dreams, spirituality, and what Estelle calls the "echo effect" to
#187 People over Proposals with Literary Agent Sally Ekus
In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus sits down with literary agent Sally Ekus, senior agent at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, where she leads a boutique division specializing in cookbooks, lifestyle, and select nonfiction. With over 350 book deals under her belt and deep roots in the publishing world, Sally shares what truly makes a proposal stand out, how the industry
#186 Burn the Haystack: Decoding Men's Language, Power Moves, and Red Flags with Jennie Young
The words people use tell you exactly who they are, if you know how to read them. Estelle Erasmus sits down with Jennie Young, a professor of rhetoric whose "Burn the Haystack" method and Facebook group sparked a powerful movement, now captured in her book Burn the Haystack. She flips the traditional dating narrative on its head, showing women how to find their "needle" by torching the men who are
#185 The Rise of Authorpreneurship with Literary Agent Regina Brooks
What does the rise of authorpreneurship mean for writers today? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus sits down with Regina Brooks, founder and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency and president of the Association of American Literary Agents, to explore how publishing is shifting and what writers need to understand now. From what agents look for in submissions to how platform,
#184 From Silence to Story: Writing a Hostage Memoir 50 Years Later with Mimi Nichter
What does it take to write about a life-altering trauma decades after it happened? In this episode, Estelle Erasmus chats with Mimi Nichter about the long arc from lived experience to the page, and what it means to revisit a moment of crisis with clarity. They talk about writing through memory, shaping a narrative around a defining event, and the emotional and craft challenges of telling a story t
#183 Don't Give Up on Ghostwriting. What Still Pays and What's Dead
Ghostwriting isn't dead. It's just napping. The smart writers know exactly where to wake it up. It can be one of the most lucrative paths for writers, but not all ghostwriting opportunities are created equal. In this solo episode, Estelle Erasmus reveals which ghostwriting gigs are thriving in 2026 and which ones are quietly disappearing. If you've ever been curious about ghostwriting (or you're a
#182 The A–Z of AWP: Insider Tips for Writers Attending the Conference
Thinking about attending the AWP Conference and wondering how to prepare for it? With thousands of writers, panels, book fairs, and networking opportunities, AWP can feel both exciting, inspiring and a little overwhelming. That's why it helps to have a strategy. In this solo episode of Freelance Writing Direct, host Estelle Erasmus shares how she prepared for AWP, what it was like moderating her s
#181 From Ashram to Author: Finding the Transformative Thread in a Near Cult Memoir with Blair Glaser
What happens when a story that could be told as trauma is instead shaped as triumph? Blair Glaser joins Estelle Erasmus to discuss her journey from a Catskills ashram in the 1990s to published author, and how she turned her time in a spiritual organization into her memoir, This Incredible Longing: Finding Myself in a Near Cult Experience. Rather than writing a simple escape narrative, she explores
#180 Unlearning Childhood Lessons and Reinventing a Memoir with Anna Rollins
What does it take to unlearn the messages you were raised with and reshape them into a publishable memoir? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus chats with Anna Rollins about the internal and structural shifts that reshaped her debut memoir, Famished. Anna reveals how expanding the scope of her manuscript, incorporating reporting, and strengthening her platform repositioned
#179 Writing from the Scar: Conscious Craft Choices with Jocelyn Jane Cox
What do you do when your son's first birthday party becomes the same day you lose your mother? In this episode, Estelle Erasmus sits down with Jocelyn Jane Cox, author of Motion Dazzle, the award-winning memoir that follows a single day when celebration and grief collided. It's a day that would forever contain both darkness and light, joy and devastating loss. Here's what makes this conversation e
#178 From Viral Essay to Memoir Plus: Writing Longing into a Book Deal with Amanda McCracken
What does it take to turn a viral essay about longing into a deeply researched memoir and a book deal? For Amanda McCracken, it took 11 years, multiple agent rejections, a pandemic, creative platform-building, and an unwavering commitment to her story. In this episode, Estelle Erasmus sits down with Amanda McCracken, author of When Longing Becomes Your Lover: Breaking from Infatuation, Rejection,
#177 The Power of Narrative Tension with Peter Mountford
Great writing doesn't come from inventing drama. It comes from putting characters in situations where something meaningful is at stake. In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle talks with fiction writer and essayist Peter Mountford about his short story collection Detonator and the craft choices that make stories propulsive. Mountford discusses how place shapes his fiction, drawing fro
#176 The Domino Effect of Plot: Writing Emotionally Complex Characters with Tova Mirvis
Family loyalty can push ordinary people toward unimaginable choices. Estelle Erasmus chats with novelist and memoirist Tova Mirvis about her latest book, We Would Never, a gripping murder mystery inspired by a true crime case. While real events sparked the novel, the plot ultimately emerged from the emotional choices her characters make, with each decision setting off the next. Tova reveals that t
#175 From Mews(es) to Manuscript: How Inspired by Cats Became an Illustrated Literary Book
Did you know that cats have, in their feline way, shaped some of the greatest writing careers in literary history? Bob Eckstein and Nava Atlas join Estelle Erasmus to talk about their collaboration on Inspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es), a visually rich book exploring the creative bond between writers and their feline companions. The conversation traces how the idea evolved from a shareab
#174 Forgiveness Without Apologies. Writing a Mother-Daughter Memoir
Forgiveness doesn't erase the past. It changes who gets to control your present. In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with filmmaker, writer, and coach Gayle Kirschenbaum and her 102-year-old mother, Mildred Kirschenbaum, about their volatile, funny, and hard-won evolution from conflict to connection. Gayle shares the story behind her debut memoir, Bullied to Besties:
#173 Writing Flawed Female Characters in Noir Fiction with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
After years of writing literary fiction, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, author of Pool Fishing, saw her work shift when she turned to noir. Estelle Erasmus chats with Barbara about the genre shift that reignited her fiction and led to publication. Barbara shares how stepping into noir forced her to embrace plot, tension, and consequence, without sacrificing voice or depth. They touch on the big craft qu
#172 A Year in Motion: Writing, Teaching, and Publishing in Real Time
In this solo recap episode, Estelle Erasmus reflects on a year shaped by creative momentum, personal loss, and professional growth. As she approaches 200 podcast episodes, expands her teaching at NYU and Writer's Digest, and leads small-group workshops, she considers what this season revealed and what she is carrying forward into 2026. She also revisits major moments including her TEDx talk, How t
#171 Musings on Writing Through Uncertainty with Abigail Thomas
Memoir often begins where certainty ends, and that is exactly where Abigail Thomas feels most alive on the page. In this thoughtful conversation between friends, Estelle Erasmus and Abigail explore what it means to write through uncertainty, follow curiosity, and let small surprising moments become the heart of a story. This episode is for writers who crave honesty on the page, who wrestle with se
#170 Braiding Cultural Context into Your Memoir with Melissa Fraterrigo
Estelle Erasmus sits down with award-winning author Melissa Fraterrigo, whose latest book, The Perils of Girlhood, is a memoir in essays that examines identity, fear, body image, motherhood, memory, and the cultural touchstones that shaped so many girls growing up in the '80s and '90s. Together, Estelle and Melissa explore the moments that define girlhood, from fear and body image to parenting, c
#169 Finding the Line: How a Linear Structure Brought a Memoir Into Focus with Heather Sweeney
Some lives resist easy summary, and Heather Sweeney's was one of them. After two decades inside a military marriage, marked by relocations, solo parenting, and a gradual loss of personal direction, she knew she had a story, but not yet a shape. Estelle Erasmus talks with Heather about how she translated that long, complicated stretch of living into her memoir, Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Sh
#168 The Making of A Modern Love Essay, "Negotiating the End of Us" with Leslie B. Blanchard
Leslie B. Blanchard joins Freelance Writing Direct for a conversation about developing her Modern Love essay, finding the line that anchored the piece, writing honestly about anticipatory grief, discovering structure through revision, clarifying metaphor, understanding what makes a submission stand out, and learning what the story truly wanted to say.Modern Love essays aren't accidents, they're bu
#167 Fairyland: A Transcendent Father–Daughter Story Finds New Life in Film with Alysia Abbott
Queer history is family history, and Alysia Abbott's Fairyland proves how one father-daughter story can illuminate an entire era. In this conversation, Estelle Erasmus talks with Alysia about her acclaimed memoir of growing up with her single gay father in 1970s and 80s San Francisco, and how that memoir found new life as a feature film more than a decade later. In this discussion, they explore t
#166 How to Write for Electric Literature with Editor-in-Chief Denne Michele Norris (Part 2)
Electric Literature is where emerging writers become working authors—and in this conversation, I'm taking you behind the scenes with Editor-in-Chief Denne Michele Norris (who I spoke with last week about her debut novel) to unpack exactly what they publish, how they edit, the pitches that stand out, the craft mistakes that make editors stop reading, and the kinds of stories they want to run next.
#165 Giving Every Character Main Character Energy in Your Novel with Denne Michele Norris Part 1
I loved diving into this conversation with Denne Michele Norris, author, and Editor in Chief of Electric Literature. Her insight into writing every character with depth, presence, and main character energy is both generous and deeply human, and this is just Part 1 of our two part discussion. In this illuminating episode, Denne shares the craft behind her stunning debut, When the Harvest Comes, a s
#164 Writing the Restorative Memoir: Finding Meaning in the Messy Middle of Recovery with Mallary Tenore Tarpley
What if the truest recovery story isn't about redemption—but restoration? What if healing means learning to live inside the messy middle? Estelle Erasmus talks with journalist and professor Mallary Tenore Tarpley, author of SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery. Mallary shares how she wrote from the in-between—the liminal space between illness and full recovery—craf
#163 Writing the Unresolved Story: Trying and Telling the Unvarnished Truth Featuring Chloé Caldwell
What happens when your life unravels up in the middle of writing your book — your marriage ends, fertility treatments stop, your identity shifts, and you have to rewrite the story you thought you were living? In this episode, Estelle Erasmus interviews acclaimed author Chloe Caldwell about her new book, TRYING, a radically honest, formally innovative memoir about fertility, longing, divorce, sexua
#162 Lessons from the People of Publishing Conference
Ever wonder what's really happening behind closed doors in the publishing industry? In this solo episode, Estelle Erasmus pulls back the curtain on the People of Publishing Conference, held on September 17, 2025, and hosted by the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). Featuring top CEOs, editors, and agents, the event revealed key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping today's boo
#161 From Nonfiction to Paranormal Women's Fiction: Genre-Switching and the Freedom of Self-Publishing with Olga Mecking
Can nonfiction writers reinvent themselves as novelists? NIksen author Olga Mecking proves it's possible—with a new series that blends Dutch folklore, female power, and the freedom of self-publishing. Estelle Erasmus is joined by Olga Mecking, a writer, journalist and occasional translator. Originally from Poland, she now lives with her German husband and three multilingual children in the Netherl
#160 How Flash Nonfiction and Metaphor Turn Small Moments into Big Meaning with Sue William Silverman
What if the truest story of your life lives in a single image, like a photo-booth strip, a tarnished bracelet, a goldfish bowl? In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus talks with award-winning author Sue William Silverman about her new collection, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader. We unpack how flash nonfiction works, why metaphor is your most powerful
#159 Writing the Body as Memoir with Nina B. Lichtenstein
What if the story of your life wasn't told chronologically, but mapped through your very body—your heart, your hands, even your nose? That's exactly what Nina B. Lichtenstein does in her new memoir-in-essays, Body: My Life in Parts(Vine Leaves Press, 2025). By using sixteen body parts as the framework for memory, metaphor, and meaning, Nina shows how our physical selves carry the imprints of ide
#158 Kaila Yu on Fetishization, Feminism, and Memoir as Reckoning
What does it mean to be fetishized—and how do you turn that gaze back on the culture that created it? Estelle Erasmus chats with Kaila Yu, a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Business Insider, Condé Nast Traveler, and more. Before turning to journalism, Kaila was a model and the lead singer of the all-Asian American female rock b
#157 Inside the Mind of a Literary Agent: Sam Hiyate on Selling Books, Pitching, and Breaking Into Hollywood
Estelle Erasmus sits down with Sam Hiyate, President and CEO of The Rights Factory, a global literary agency that has represented hundreds of titles across genres, including multiple bestsellers like This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki, Healthy AF by Oonagh Duncan, and More by Molly Rodin Winter. In this episode: The trends shaping today's book market, including the rise of speculative
#156 Finding Yourself After Faking It: Sari Botton on Memoir, Honesty, and Editing
Estelle Erasmus is joined by editor Sari Botton, a memoirist featured in Poets & Writers' "5 Over 50." In this episode, Sari shares why the most powerful memoirs often illuminate the ordinary, how she found the right container to structure her story, and the lessons she's learned about balancing honesty with protecting others on the page. She also discusses the challenges of people-pleasing, the p
#155 Breaking the Rules of Publishing with Jane Pratt: From Sassy to Substack
Estelle Erasmus sits down with legendary editor and publishing pioneer Jane Pratt, the founder of Sassy, Jane, and XOJane, and now the voice behind the hit Substack Another Jane Pratt Thing. Jane has built a career on breaking rules, centering women's voices, and creating space for personal, confessional storytelling long before it was mainstream. From her groundbreaking "It Happened to Me" column
#154 How to Engineer Your Memoir with Wendy Dale
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
#153 Estelle's Edge: Repurpose and Revitalize: How to Turn Old Writing into New Essays, Articles, and Bylines
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 [1:2
#152 Estelle's Edge on Going Viral: How to Protect Your Energy and Leverage the Moment
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 tr
#151 Estelle's Edge on the 2025 U.S. Book Show: AI, Publishing, and the Future of Writing
In this solo episode, Estelle Erasmus recaps her experience at the 2025 U.S. Book Show, where over 800 publishing professionals gathered at the New York Academy of Medicine. Drawing on her 30+ years in the industry, Estelle brings her insider lens to the conversations shaping the future of writing. She shares intel from panels with top executives like Jonathan Karp (CEO of Simon & Schuster) and D
#150 Coaching Episode: From Reported to Personal—Crafting and Pitching Essays That Sell
Have you spent your writing career telling other people's stories—and now you're ready to tell your own? In this live coaching session, Estelle Erasmus works with award-winning freelance writer Pamela M. McBride to explore how seasoned journalists and content writers can make the shift into personal essay writing—without losing sight of strategy, clarity, or publishing goals. Pamela M. McBride is
#149 SEO & Expert Positioning for Podcasters with Adam Schaeuble of Podcasting Business School
Estelle Erasmus welcomes podcaster and consultant Adam Schaeuble, host of Podcasting Business School. Adam shares his top strategies for using your podcast as the foundation of a six-figure online business—starting with essentials like your show name, description, and artwork. Together, they break down how to attract the right listeners and convert them into clients. Adam reveals his three-part fo
#148 How to Hook Readers by Planting Curiosity Seeds in Interactive Novels with Bianca Marais
Estelle Erasmus welcomes back acclaimed author and creator and host of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast, Bianca Marais, to chat about her latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder—an innovative, genre-blending mystery packed with magic, reader-driven puzzles, royal intrigue, and multiple points of view. Bianca shares how she crafted this original story: a locked-room murder mystery set
#147 What Makes a Literary Agent Say Yes with Inkwell's Maria Whelan
Estelle Erasmus sits down with literary agent Maria Whelan of Inkwell Management, recently recognized by Poets & Writers as one of today's top literary advocates. In this candid conversation, Maria shares what's capturing her attention in the publishing world right now—from standout nonfiction proposals to magical realism, horror with heart, and even Loch Ness Monster romance. She discusses her "c
#146 Solo Episode: Estelle's Edge on Shaping a TEDx Talk That Gets Seen
In the first of several short, bite-sized solo episodes on TEDx Talks, Estelle Erasmus shares the exact strategy behind her own talk—how she discovered the right idea, built a strong structure, and delivered a message that resonated with thousands. Whether you're applying to give a talk or refining one you've already booked, this episode offers practical tools to help your TEDx Talk connect, teach
#145 Solo Episode: Estelle's Edge on Essays—Mining Your Life For Stories That Get Noticed
In this bite-sized solo episode, Estelle Erasmus shares her insider strategies for turning real-life moments into essays that stand out—and sell. From capturing grief or joy to finding the magic in the mundane, Estelle shows you how to shape your story, sharpen your angle, and give your writing the attention it deserves. In this episode: How to combine unexpected ideas to find a fresh angle [2:4
#144 Coaching Episode: Elevate Your Voice, Expand Your Reach
Estelle Erasmus chats with award-winning journalist Lanier Isom in a powerful coaching session about balancing voice, platform, and purpose across a writing life. They explore how to manage time, stay organized across genres, and breathe new meaning into a stalled book project—all while staying true to your voice. In this episode: The challenges of writing across genres—and how to stay organized
#143 What We Don't Talk About: Michele Filgate on Family, Loss, Love, and the Art of Editing Anthologies
Editor and author Michele Filgate returns with a powerful follow-up to her bestselling anthology What My Mother and I Don't Talk About—this time turning the lens on fatherhood. In this episode, Estelle Erasmus chats with Michele about the personal and professional transformations that shaped What My Father and I Don't Talk About, how TikTok gave her earlier book a second life, and what it really t
#142 Giving Motherhood a Microphone: How Listen to Your Mother Became a Movement Featuring Ann Imig
If you've ever felt creatively stuck or invisible after becoming a mom, this conversation will speak to you. Nearly 15 years ago, a single storytelling show about motherhood sparked a nationwide movement—and it's still going strong. Here, we explore how Listen to Your Mother grew from one stage to 70, how the blogging boom birthed a wave of creative expression, and how vulnerability can turn into
#141 Solo Episode: Estelle's Edge on How AI Is Disrupting Content Marketing—And What Writers Should Do Next
AI is disrupting the writing industry—fast. But what does that mean for you as a freelance writer, content creator, or journalist? In this Summer Shorts with Estelle solo episode, I share my editorial perspective on the recent Chicago Sun-Times controversy involving an AI-generated listicle that included fake book titles attributed to real authors. You'll learn: Why listicles and content marketi
#140 Growing Up in a Black-and-White World and the Truth Between the Lines Featuring Shannon Luders-Manuel
What does it mean to grow up in a world that doesn't fully reflect your identity? In this episode, covering memoir, race, religion, the stories we're told, and the ones we learn to write ourselves, Estelle Erasmus sits down with writer and memoirist Shannon Luders-Manuel, author of The One Who Loves You: A Memoir of Growing Up Biracial in a Black and White World. Shannon shares the deeply personal
#139 How to Submit Your Writing to Literary Magazines and Get Published Featuring Dennis James Sweeney
Submitting your work doesn't have to feel like a mystery. In this episode, Estelle Erasmus is joined by Dennis James Sweeney, author of How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses (New World Library). Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this conversation offers a grounded and empowering look at how to navigate the literary submission p
#138 Making Memoir Peculiar—and Propulsive Featuring Dinty W. Moore
What gives memoir its momentum—and its magic and what if the structure you're resisting is exactly what your writing needs? Before we dive in…✨New TEDx Talk! I share a deeply personal story—and the actionable lessons I teach at NYU and in Writing That Gets Noticed—in my TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond Please watch to the end (that's what counts!), and if it resonates, I'd
#137 Writing Through Rupture: Finding Belonging After Loss Featuring Casey Mulligan Walsh
What does it mean to truly belong — and how do we find our way back to ourselves after unimaginable loss? In this episode,I talk with memoirist Casey Mulligan Walsh about grief, belonging, resilience, and the journey behind her powerful book The Full Catastrophe. In this episode: Casey's path to writing The Full Catastrophe and how the theme of belonging revealed itself [1:57] How early losse
#136 Writing Towards Recovery: Jackie Goldschneider on The Weight of Beautiful
Jackie Goldschneider gets real about writing her powerful memoir The Weight of Beautiful, opening up about her lifelong battle with an eating disorder, her journey to recovery, and what it was really like turning her story into a book—on her own terms. In this episode: Why Jackie chose not to use a ghostwriter for her memoir [5:25] How her eating disorder shaped her life and why recovery was n
#135 Query Letters, Persuasive Proposals, and Publishing Secrets Featuring Literary Agent Joëlle Delbourgo
Joëlle Delbourgo is President of Joëlle Delbourgo Associates, a boutique literary agency founded in 1999. She represents a broad range of adult nonfiction and fiction. Her authors include NYT bestselling and award-winning novelist Ben H. Winters; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Debbie Cenziper and Dale Russakoff; award-winning educator Michele Borba, the late Dr. Susan Forward, memoirists Ariel
#134 Writing a Memoir That's Also an Industry Exposé Featuring Hannah Selinger
How do you turn personal experience into a powerful memoir that names names? Estelle Erasmus talks with Hannah Selinger, author of Cellar Rat, about transitioning from essayist to memoirist while tackling the dark side of the restaurant industry. In this episode: How Hannah's viral essay led to a book deal What it means to write a memoir that's also investigative Naming names and dealing wit
#133 Writing the Book You Need to Read When You're Always Happy to Help Featuring Amy Wilson
AMY WILSON is a writer, podcaster, and performer. She is the author of the memoir When Did I Get Like This? and her latest book Happy to Help. Amy is also the co-host of the Webby-honored parenting podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. She and co-host Margaret Ables have racked up over 11 million lifetime downloads and 800 episodes since the podcast's launch in 2016, and reg
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