Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers, publishers, writing teachers, assigning editors and media experts. #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:
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Turn older writing into micro memoirs, flash fiction, or service journalism [1:25]
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Rework rejected pitches into timely articles or essays [6:15]
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Pitch local and regional outlets for new publishing opportunities [8:20]
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Use past material for TEDx talks, profiles, and reported pieces [8:57]
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Leverage platforms like Substack, Medium, and literary journals to grow your audience [15:35]
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lGAg07y-GMo
Related Episodes and Articles
Episodes
#139 How to Submit Your Writing to Literary Magazines and Get Published
https://estelleserasmus.com/139-how-to-submit-your-writing-to-literary-magazines-and-get-published/
#88 The Founder of HARO, Launches SOS—Source of Sources
#18 Repurposing Writing Through Reprints
Articles
When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (And An Offer)
https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/when-writers-are-the-ones-blocking
If You are Thinking of Doing an Audiobook
https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-thinking-of-doing-an-audiobook
Audiobook and sample for Writing That Gets Noticed
Order and listen here
Connect with Estelle:
Get More from Estelle:
Webinar: Sign up for Estelle's webinar on October 9th in collaboration with Writer's Digest
Mapping Your Memoir: How to Find the Heart and Shape of Your Story
https://writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com/mapping-your-memoir
🎤 TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond Estelle blends personal storytelling with actionable strategies for standing out—starting with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine. 📺 Watch, comment, and share
📬 Newsletter + FREE Pitching Guide Find out more about this episode and get Estelle's free pitching guide when you sign up for her newsletter: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast
About Estelle:
Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a "Best Book for Writers" by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer's Digest and adjunct professor at NYU, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine. She's served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.
Explore More:-
📘 Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the book | Audiobook
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📰 Subscribe on Substack: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com Latest posts: "When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (and An Offer); Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story" and "How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen"
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🎧 More episodes: Freelance Writing Direct Podcast
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Read Estelle's latest article How to Use the Internet to Become Your Own Private Investigator (Next Avenue/PBS)
Follow Estelle:
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Instagram: @EstelleSErasmus
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TikTok: @EstelleSErasmus
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Twitter: @EstelleSErasmus
BlueSky: @estelleserasmus.bsky.social