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, 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.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Courtney Maum. Courtney is the author of five books, including the groundbreaking publishing guide that Vanity Fair recently named one of the ten best books for writers, BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL and the memoir THE YEAR OF THE HORSES, chosen by The Today Show as the best read for mental health awareness. A writing coach, executive director of the nonprofit learning collaborative "The Cabins," and educator, Courtney's mission is to help people hold on to the joy of art-making in a culture obsessed with turning artists into brands. You can sign up for her publishing tips newsletter and online masterclasses at CourtneyMaum.com In this episode: How Courtney navigates through multiple genres. The importance of building connections with other creatives in the writing world. Tips for connecting with publishers. Courtney's tips on how writers can prioritize their mental health Connect with Courtney: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbmaum/ Website: https://www.courtneymaum.com The Cabins Retreat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecabinsretreat/ SubStack: https://courtneymaum.substack.com 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 talk about what to do to make pitches resonate with an editor, and review pitches submitted by Estelle's students, sharing what works, what doesn't, and how to revise to get accepted. In this episode: The difference between a pitch and a more formal query letter. Tips for sending a pitch to an editor in today's world. Real-time review of anonymous pitches If you want your pitch to be reviewed in a future episode of the Freelance Writing Direct podcast, 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 Wendi Aarons, an award-winning humor writer. Wendi's work has appeared in The New Yorker Daily Shouts, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, US Weekly Fashion Police, Scary Mommy, BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, and various other outlets. She is the author of the middle-grade book Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian" and the humorous memoir, I'm Wearing Tunics Now, and a contributor to many anthologies. Her humor pieces have been performed by award-winning actresses including Uzo Aduba, Sharon Horgan, and Alison Brie of "Glow." Wendi's eponymous blog was named "Funniest Parenting Blog" by Parents Magazine and she was named "Most Entertaining Writer" at the Mom 2.0 Influencer conference. She both speaks on and teaches humor writing to both children and adults, and lives in Austin. In this episode: How Wendi started writing about humor and finding her voice The rule of 3s in writing humor More tips on writing using humor and working in different genres The importance of networking and finding connection Connect with Wendi: Website: https://www.wendiaarons.com Substack: https://substack.com/profile/6765564-wendi-aarons Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendiAarons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendiaarons/ Buy Wendi's Books: I'm Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder https://bookshop.org/p/books/socks-a-footloose-miscellany-for-sock-lovers-and-wearers-wendi-aarons/18811173?ean=9781797212760 Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian https://www.amazon.com/Ginger-Mancino-Comedian-Wendi-Aarons/dp/1733988742 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 interviews Sherry Paprocki about how to maximize your freelance profits. Whether you are a beginner writer, or already have freelance clients, this episode will be really helpful for you. Sherry is a top professional in publishing, and a branding and publishing strategist. She is the president of R.S. Rock Media Inc. In 2018, Sherry was honored twice by Folio as one of the top women in media and was placed on the Folio top 100 list for creative thought leaders in media. Sherry is also the past president of ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) and she has authored more than a dozen books. Sherry not only writes but also hires freelance writers for her business. Sherry is the author of Freelance Fancy: Your Guide to Capturing Spiritual Health, Wealth and Happiness from Gig Work, which is a top Amazon pick in business. In this episode: Sherry's career journey from writing for newspapers to freelance writing. How Sherry grew her business through networking. Tips for navigating through chaos. Qualities that make freelance writers successful. Sherry's advice and tips on actually getting the gig. The spiritual side of freelance writing. 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. 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 Minda Zetlin. Minda is the author of her new book Career Self-Care and writes the highly popular "Laid-Back Leader" column for Inc. Her articles and workshops offer research-backed advice to help ambitious people get the most out of their careers and their lives. She is the author or coauthor of several books, most recently The Geek Gap. A former president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), she lives in Snohomish, Washington. In this episode: How Minda found her path from freelancing to becoming a columnist. Finding a mentor and the power of asking for help. The benefit of writers' organizations, such as ASJA. Connect with Minda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindazetlin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindaZetlin Website: https://mindazetlin.wordpress.com Minda's Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Career-Self-Care-Increase-Happiness-Fulfillment/dp/1608687325/ Minda's column on Inc.com: https://www.inc.com/author/minda-zetlin And, as a bonus for our listeners, get three months of my daily Career Self-Care texts for free (usually $4.95 a month): https://joinsubtext.com/career-self-care?promo=NEWSLETTER90 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. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.

In today's episode, Sherry Paprocki and Estelle Erasmus speak with Jennifer L.W. Fink. Jennifer is a registered nurse turned writer, podcaster, and "boy expert" - yes, you read that right! Jennifer is the founder of Building Boys and the author of "Building Boys: raising great guys in a world that misunderstands males" which will be released in spring. She also co-hosts the Building Boys podcast and publishes Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly newsletter on parenting and educating boys. Her byline can be found in Parents, American Baby, Pregnancy, Boys' Life, Ladies' Home Journal, MyMidwest, Scholastic Instructor, Home Education Magazine, Proto, RN, Advance for Nurses, and other regional and national publications. She's written for a variety of websites, including iVillage, scrubsmag.com and bestnursingdegree.com, and creates print and online content for a variety of healthcare organizations. She's also the mother of four boys—who maintains her nursing license, just in case. In this episode: Jennifer transitioned from RN to becoming a writer. How Jennifer used her experience as a parent to fuel her writing. Tips on building your writing expertise in the community. Connect with Jennifer: Website: https://jenniferlwfink.com Building Boys: http://buildingboys.net 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. We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.