Podcast · Business

Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle

by Estelle Erasmus · English · Business

Winner of the 2026 American Writing Award for Podcast of the Year (Business), Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle is an award-winning podcast featuring candid conversations with bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishing insiders about writing craft, memoir, publishing, platfor

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 18 min

#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 publishing trends and the possibilities of "memoir plus," the day offered plenty to think about as both a writer and an editor. I also share what stood out to me about the relationships behind successful…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

1 Oct 2026 · 34 min
#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 of Freelance Writing Direct , I talk with Lu Chekowsky, author of Don't Buy What I'm Selling: On Breaking Up with Advertising and Finally Learning to Love My Whole Fat Self , about advertising,…
24 Sep 2026 · 23 min
#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, grief, Jewish activism, mental health, weight loss, and work. We discuss how she balanced humor with more painful material, why she asked her children for permission before including a hilarious…
17 Sep 2026 · 24 min
#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. Estelle also shares examples from her own successful pitches and explains how small changes can make a big difference. Get more pitching advice and a Pitch Clinic chapter in her book Writing That Gets…
10 Sep 2026 · 42 min
#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 between seemingly disparate parts of her story, and shaped a memoir that became more expansive than the book she originally planned to write, plus: • Shaping a hybrid travel and medical memoir • Using…
3 Sep 2026 · 25 min
#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 behind and explore the unknown, would you go? We talk about how Steven builds a novel around an organizing question, why he prefers writing without a detailed outline, how he creates humor from…
27 Aug 2026 · 35 min
#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 storytelling grew into reporting, writing, and multimedia work, and asks Estelle for advice on navigating freelance journalism today. They discuss how to craft stronger pitches, avoid burnout,…
20 Aug 2026 · 40 min
#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 across decades Using chronology to create momentum Writing about family and identity Self-portraiture and writing the self The ethics of writing about loved ones Watch on YouTube…
13 Aug 2026 · 30 min
#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 urgency and changed the book she realized she needed to write. She discusses restructuring the project to braid memoir with research and interviews, developing a proposal that could make a strong…
6 Aug 2026 · 34 min
#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 nature writing, history, science, feminist thought, and literary criticism. She also discusses cutting 20,000 words, maintaining chronological momentum, using sensory detail, and writing candidly…
30 Jul 2026 · 18 min
#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 years, and I can't wait to introduce him to you. You'll find all the details, including how to tune in, here. https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/musings-on-magazines-the-story-behind-039 Now to…
23 Jul 2026 · 24 min
#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 magazine editor. We'll share stories about what really happened behind the pages and how those iconic beauty features came together. I've known Ramy for more than 30 years, and I can't wait to introduce…
16 Jul 2026 · 41 min
#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 joined by acclaimed author and teacher Brenda Miller , whose work has shaped generations of creative nonfiction writers. Brenda coined the now widely used term Hermit Crab essay , and together we…
9 Jul 2026 · 32 min
#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 up for my substack at https://estelleserasmus.substack.com to get notified of my upcoming guests and dive with us into the magazine archives to hear behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere…
2 Jul 2026 · 32 min
#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 up for my substack to get notified of my upcoming guests and dive with us into the magazine archives to hear behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere else. Now for today's episode: How do you…
25 Jun 2026 · 36 min
#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 stories you won't hear anywhere else. I hope to see you there. Now for today's episode: Tiffany Graham Charkosky joins Estelle Erasmus to discuss her debut memoir, Living Proof: How Love Defied Genetic…
18 Jun 2026 · 31 min
#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 continue to resonate in her own life. She also discusses the craft of blending memoir with history, navigating difficult family truths, and the importance of preserving stories for future generations.…
11 Jun 2026 · 31 min
#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 years working in the Alaskan wilderness, her medical journey, motherhood, marriage, and questions of power, resilience, and identity. Rachel discusses: • Why she chose to open Dizzy with the dramatic…
4 Jun 2026 · 37 min
#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 The Golden Girls , grief, aging, friendship, and his experience growing up gay in the Missouri Ozarks inspired the book. Wade and Gary discuss: • Why Wade chose to step away from an established…
28 May 2026 · 32 min
#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, and emotional isolation, ultimately inspiring her new book, A Prescription for Burnout: Restorative Writing for Healthcare Professionals. The book offers practical advice for anyone struggling with…
21 May 2026 · 28 min
#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-driven, intellectually sharp stories centered on women's experiences. Paula shares how The Persistent was founded by former New York Times editor Francesca Donner to create a space where women's…
14 May 2026 · 25 min
#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-view narration • Why flawed characters create compelling stories • Building escalating stakes in fiction • Using setting as an active force in storytelling • How journalism shaped Vanessa's fiction…
7 May 2026 · 40 min
#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 of her book: her husband collapsing on a trail just weeks after the birth of their child, leading to a life-or-death ICU experience that unfolds in real time over ten days. From there, she…
30 Apr 2026 · 40 min
#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, evangelical influence, and the cultural forces shaping women's lives today. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue , Salon , Newsweek , and The Huffington Post , and she was featured in the Shiny Happy People…
23 Apr 2026 · 33 min
#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 deepen narrative impact Writing about marriage, motherhood, desire, and identity without holding back The risks and consequences of telling the truth on the page How to balance scene, reflection,…
16 Apr 2026 · 34 min
#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 is evolving in real time, and why enthusiasm and voice still matter more than ever. Together, Estelle and Sally explore the shift from traditional publishing models to today's fast-paced,…
9 Apr 2026 · 40 min
#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 duds. As a former magazine editor and longtime writing teacher, Estelle was especially drawn to how Jennie breaks down language, tone, and behavior with precision. This conversation goes far…
2 Apr 2026 · 42 min
#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, AI, and direct-to-consumer models are reshaping the industry, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at how writers can move beyond simply writing a book to building a sustainable writing…
26 Mar 2026 · 37 min
#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 that has festered inside for years, waiting to be heard. Mimi shares how she approached writing about being held hostage, why timing mattered, and how she transformed silence into story. In this…
19 Mar 2026 · 21 min
#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 already doing it and wondering about your future), this episode is essential listening. Estelle shares insider predictions about the market, explains why the "whisper network" matters more than you…

About Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle

Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle is a English business podcast from Estelle Erasmus. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Estelle Erasmus
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1647429472
Rights: 2022

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