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

Beth Ann Fennelly, Poet Laureate of Mississippi from 2016-2021, teaches in the MFA Program at the University of Mississippi where she is a four-time teaching award winner. She's received grants from the N.E.A., the United States Artists, the Academy of American Poets, and a Fulbright to Brazil. Her work has won a Pushcart Prize and three times been included in The Best American Poetry Series. Fennelly has published three poetry books: Open House, Tender Hooks, and Unmentionables, and a book of nonfiction, Great with Child, all published with W. W. Norton. A novel she co-authored with her husband, Tom Franklin, called The Tilted World, was published by HarperCollins. Her sixth book, Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs (W. W. Norton), was named an Atlanta Journal Constitution Best Book, a Goodreaders Favorite for 2017, and the winner of the Housatonic Book Prize. Fennelly and Franklin live in Oxford with their three children. In this episode: Beth Ann's writing journey [5:29] Coining the concept of micro memoir [8:00] Taking personal anecdotes and making them resonate [8:37] The evolution of how Beth Ann structured her book [9:00] Crafting through lines with purpose [15:28] The art of collaborating with a partner on a novel and how Beth Ann made it work [15:28] Why you can't ignore the concept of fun when it comes to writing [19:43] Why transitions need to be addressed carefully [24:42] Establishing an effective writing practice [28:00] Connect with Beth Ann Fennelly Website: https://www.bethannfennelly.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/bethann.fennelly.9 Instagram: https://instagram.com/bethannfennelly Listen to her TedX Talk How Literature Can Help Us Develop Empathy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nJv8sxpUKU&t=334s See Her Talk for The Moth The Proper Time to Eat https://themoth.org/stories/the-proper-time-to-eat Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs and The Tilted World on Estelle's Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/EstelleSErasmus Connect with Estelle: Estelle's New York Times Essay Singing My Dad Back to Me https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/well/family/singing-my-dad-back-to-me.html Episodes Referenced Here Joanna Rakoff Episode #87 Writing Memoir That Reads Like a Novel and Captivates on Every Page https://estelleserasmus.com/87-writing-memoir-that-reads-like-a-novel-and-captivates-on-every-page-featuring-joanna-rakoff/ Maggie Smith Episode #81 The Art of Shaping a Compelling Story https://estelleserasmus.com/81-the-art-of-shaping-a-compelling-story-featuring-maggie-smith/ Ann Hood Episode #95 The Catalysts and Craft for Charting and Plotting Novels https://estelleserasmus.com/95-the-catalysts-and-craft-for-charting-and-plotting-novels-featuring-ann-hood/ Episode #35 Flying High with Storyteller Ann Hood https://estelleserasmus.com/35-flying-high-with-storyteller-ann-hood/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Estelle's latest substack post on Micro Memoir https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus

Aly Walansky has been covering lifestyle topics, with a focus on food, travel, and cocktails, for two decades. She's done all of this living and working (and eating!) from a tiny New York City studio apartment — so she knows a thing or two about cooking and eating well on a budget, in small spaces -- and sharing it with her audience. Her daily Substack newsletter goes out to close to 10,000 people each day. In this episode: How Aly Walansky found her niche.[3:26] Secrets of building sustainable relationships with editors [4:43] The gift of Substack when it comes to time management [6:10] How Aly created content during the pandemic [10:17] Her experience writing for 10,000 substack subscribers and what she offers paid subscribers. [12:59] How she structures her AMAs [14:26] The new wave of AI in Journalism [15:55] Adding yourself into the story [17:30] The importance of a social media footprint for writers, even if you're an introvert [20:52] Connect with Aly alywalansky.substack.com Connect with Estelle: Watch Estelle's episode #88 with Former HARO Founder, Peter Shankman https://estelleserasmus.com/88-the-founder-of-haro-peter-shankman-a-hero-to-journalists-on-deadline-launches-source-of-sources/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Estelle's latest substack post on Micro Memoir https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus

Emily Paulsen has built a successful career as a freelance writer and editor. She has contributed to more than a dozen books, including three as co-author. She has covered a variety of subjects over the years, but specializes in health and healthcare, with an emphasis on health equity and improving the healthcare experience for patients and providers. She is currently president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the leading professional organization for independent journalists, authors, and content writers. In this episode: What is ASJA and Emily and Estelle's' experience with this professional organization [2:07] The upcoming ASJA virtual conference (September 24-26) and the breakdown of sessions in each track [6:07] The Importance of storytelling in journalism [11:20] Estelle's fireside chat at ASJA with Abigail Thomas [13:28] ASJA diversity efforts for the freelance writing community [22:51] The benefits of ASJA membership and the associate and professional tier [26:38] The in-person ASJA conference in February 2025 [29:47] Connect with Emily LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eapaulsen/ Website: emilypaulsen.com Connect with ASJA asja.org https://www.facebook.com/ASJAinc/ https://x.com/ASJAhq https://www.linkedin.com/company/asja/ https://www.instagram.com/asjahq https://www.tiktok.com/@asjafreelancewriters More on ASJA Register for the 2024 Virtual Conference: https://www.asja.org/2024-asja-conference/ Info on the Conference Keynoters: https://www.asja.org/asja-2024-conference-keynoters-are-krishan-trotman-peter-shankman-david-brown/ The benefits of ASJA membership and eligibility requirements: https://www.asja.org/join-asja/benefits/ https://www.asja.org/join-asja/eligibility/ Info on Client Connections 2024 (you have to be a professional member to participate): https://www.asja.org/what-we-do/client-networking/client-connections/cc24/ The deadline for applying for the scholarship has been extended to 9/1. The deadline is 8/23 for non-members who apply for membership at the same time as applying for the scholarship. https://www.asja.org/asja-offers-members-scholarships-to-ghostmasters-business-of-ghostwriting-course/) ASJA will also be offering scholarships to the virtual conference, but that application has not been set up yet. Info on ASJA's diversity initiative plus resources on how to be a more inclusive writer: https://www.asja.org/who-we-are/diversity-and-inclusion/ Connect with Estelle: Watch Estelle's episode #83 with Abigail Thomas https://estelleserasmus.com/83-writing-your-way-into-an-engaging-and-enthralling-story-featuring-abigail-thomas/ Watch Estelle's episode #88 with Peter Shankman https://estelleserasmus.com/88-the-founder-of-haro-peter-shankman-a-hero-to-journalists-on-deadline-launches-source-of-sources/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Estelle's latest substack post on Micro Memoir https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/

Sally Wiener Grotta is an award-winning writer, photographer and speaker. Her two most recent books are Of Being Woman, a collection of feminist science fiction (NobleFusion Press) and Daughters of Eve, an essay-based discussion & journaling workbook which mines the tales of biblical matriarchs to explore modern lives, concerns and crises (Bayit Publishing). As a journalist, Sally has traveled on assignment throughout the world, to all the continents, plus many remote islands, covering a wide diversity of cultures and traditions. Sally's far-ranging experiences flavor her stories and presentations with a sense of wonder, appreciation for human potential and a healthy dose of common sense. Her American Hands narrative photographic project featuring traditional tradespeople (blacksmiths, weavers, spinners, glassblowers, bookbinders, etc.) has received dozens of grants, and the exhibition has been seen in person by over 300,000 people. Sally is co-curator of Galactic Philadelphia Salon reading series, and a member of The Authors Guild and SFWA. How Sally became an accidental biblical student Fighting against the patriarchy with writing The deep roots in female friendships Structuring a discussion workbook designed for self reflection and book clubs Helping people put themselves into the story and making readers your collaborators Writing essays for the book with a personal touch How she decided to pick her characters and aligned them with the modules in her book The must-have writing pledge (and process) for workshops Connect with Sally: Website: https://sallywienergrotta.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallyWienerGrotta/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SallyWGrotta YouTube: https://YouTube.com/SallyWienerGrotta BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sallywienergrotta.bsky.social Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/

Jessica Strawser is editor-at-large at Writer's Digest and the USA Today bestselling author of suspenseful book club novels, including Almost Missed You; Not That I Could Tell (a Book of the Month pick); A Million Reasons Why; The Next Thing You Know (a People Magazine Pick), and her latest, The Last Caretaker, an instant USA Today bestseller. Her seventh novel, Catch You Later, is forthcoming October 22, 2024. She has written for The New York Times Modern Love, Publishers Weekly and other fine venues, and is a popular writing instructor and freelance editor specializing in helping writers with their submission packages. She lives with her husband and children in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was named 2019 Writer-in-Residence for the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for 2024. In this episode: How Jessica came up with the concept for her novel based on her life experiences [3:27] Writing about domestic violence and underground networks in an empowering way [6:47] Using nature as a setting [10:28] Her decision making process for writing the POV of one character, when many are available [12:48] Ending chapters with emotional beats [18:28] How to keep raising the stakes in a book by bringing out the tension in relationships [22:32] Dealing with the "muddle in the middle" [21:18] Secrets of writing using dialogue, action and reflection [24:55] Thinking of a book in terms of an arc, not an outline [28:24] Using time as a device to create a sense of urgency and move the story forward [29:26] Jessica's role as Editor at Large at Writer's Digest [29:44] Connect with Jessica Website: https://jessicastrawser.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/Jessicastrawserauthor Instagram: https://instagram.com/Jessicastrawserauthor The Last Caretaker on Estelle's Bookshop https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-caretaker-jessica-strawser/19674038?ean=9781662510229&next=t&next=t Other Episodes Featuring Novelists Episode #95: The Catalysts and Craft for Charting and Plotting Novels Featuring Ann Hood https://estelleserasmus.com/95-the-catalysts-and-craft-for-charting-and-plotting-novels-featuring-ann-hood/ Episode #89 Level Up Your Novel By Mastering Visual Imagery and Research https://estelleserasmus.com/89-level-up-your-novel-by-mastering-visual-imagery-and-research/ Episode #70 Writing a YA Romance Novel https://estelleserasmus.com/70-writing-a-ya-romance-novel-with-jennifer-chen/ Episode #63 Witchy Writing With the Shit No One Tells You About Writing Host, Bianca Marais https://estelleserasmus.com/63-witchy-writing-with-bianca-marais/ Episode #47 The Way Life and Writing Should Be With William Dameron https://estelleserasmus.com/episode-47-the-way-life-and-writing-should-be-with-william-dameron/ Episode #45 Writing Women Are the Fiercest Creatures https://estelleserasmus.com/45-writing-women-are-the-fiercest-creatures/ Episode #37 Writing On Fire Island with Jane L. Rosen https://estelleserasmus.com/37-writing-on-fire-island/ Episode #33 My What If Year with Author Alisha Fernandez Miranda https://estelleserasmus.com/33-my-what-if-year-with-author-alisha-fernandez-miranda/ Episode #32 Parallel Lives: Meshing Journalism Into Fiction Writing with Vanessa Hua https://estelleserasmus.com/32-parallel-lives-meshing-journalism-into-fiction-writing-with-vanessa-hua/

Ann Hood is the author of a dozen books of memoir and fiction, including the bestselling novels THE BOOK THAT MATTERS MOST and THE KNITTING CIRCLE, and editor of the anthologies KNITTING YARNS and KNITTING PEARLS. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and New York. In this episode: How Ann came up with the concept for her book [2:12] Writing characters born from life experience and cultural history [7:06] The elements of research in historical novels [9:06] The Kirkus Review that changed the trajectory of Ann's career [12:54] Navigating through multiple POVs [16:38] Food as a character in the novel and as a portal for emotion [19:55] How Ann tracks timelines [21:42] Finding the patterns throughout a book [22:48] Ann's favorite part of the publishing process [27:34] Connect with Ann Website: https://www.annhood.us/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/annhood56 Facebook: https://facebook.com/annmariehood/ Ann's episode on her book Flygirl Episode #35 Flying High with Storyteller Ann Hood https://estelleserasmus.com/35-flying-high-with-storyteller-ann-hood/ Get Ann's novel The Stolen Child on Estelle's Bookshop https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-stolen-child-ann-hood/20610013?ean=9780393609806 Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/ Other Recent Episodes Focused on Novelists Episode #89 Level Up Your Novel By Focusing on Visual Imagery and Research https://estelleserasmus.com/89-level-up-your-novel-by-mastering-visual-imagery-and-research/ Episode #70 Writing a YA Romance Novel https://estelleserasmus.com/70-writing-a-ya-romance-novel-with-jennifer-chen/ Episode #63 Witchy Writing with the Host of the Shit Noone Tells You About Writing, Bianca Marais https://estelleserasmus.com/63-witchy-writing-with-bianca-marais/ Episode #47 The Way Life and Writing Should Be https://estelleserasmus.com/episode-47-the-way-life-and-writing-should-be-with-william-dameron/

Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author of eight works of nonfiction and poetry. Her most recent book is Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul. Her previous book, How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences, won the gold star in Foreword Reviews Indie Book of the Year Award and the Clara Johnson Award for Women's Literature. Other works include Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual Addiction, made into a Lifetime TV movie; Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You, which won the AWP Award; and The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew. She is faculty co-chair in the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. How Sue came up with the title 'Acetylene Torch Songs' [2:54] Writing down situation, emotions and dialogue that grip the reader [4:24] Addressing the gap in memory [7:03] Crafting the "Aware" and "Unaware" voice in memoir [11:06] The untruth about only writing about headline heavy events [16:53] The power of small moments, sensory language and metaphors [20:54] Employing texture for the ending of your essay [24:41] The key distinction between writing an essay collection vs. memoir [29:24] Connect with Sue: Website: https://www.suewilliamsilverman.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SueWilliamSilverman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suewilliamsilverman/ Recent Episodes with Other Writing Teachers Episode #87 Writing Memoir That Reads Like a Novel and Captivates on Every Page Featuring Joanna Rakoff https://estelleserasmus.com/87-writing-memoir-that-reads-like-a-novel-and-captivates-on-every-page-featuring-joanna-rakoff/ Episode #85 Jumping Genres in Writing Featuring Melissa Hart https://estelleserasmus.com/85-jumping-genres-in-writing-and-advice-on-successfully-submitting-to-awp/ Episode #83 Writing Your Way Into an Engaging and Enthralling Story Featuring Abigail Thomas https://estelleserasmus.com/83-writing-your-way-into-an-engaging-and-enthralling-story-featuring-abigail-thomas/ Episode #81 The Art of Writing A Compelling Story Featuring Maggie Smith https://estelleserasmus.com/81-the-art-of-shaping-a-compelling-story-featuring-maggie-smith/ Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/

Mimi Zieman is a writer, physician, and speaker with a new memoir, Tap Dancing on Everest, about the risks we take to become our truest selves. She's written a play, The Post-Roe Monologues, that has been performed in multiple cities and has co-authored 16 editions of a medical guide, Managing Contraception. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, The Sun Magazine, Ms. Magazine, The Forward, NBC News THINK, and other publications. She did her OB/GYN training at Columbia University and is an advocate for reproductive rights, having served as Director of Family Planning, Emory University School of Medicine, Chief Medical Officer Planned Parenthood Southeast and as an advisor to the CDC working on contraceptive guidelines. Her newsletter provides medical news along with inspiration from art and nature. In this episode: Mimi's career shift from working in the medical field to writing a memoir [1:11] Ignoring "expert" advice and focusing on what works for you [5:55] How she used throughlines to address multiple topics [9:34] The genesis of her book's title [11:45] Writing about her cultural and religious background and family history to honor her ancestors [13:35] Cultivating the book's structure [16:40] Adding poetry, metaphor and alliteration to enhance the book on the sentence and word level [22:40] Finding that inciting incident that starts the book off [24:50] Pushing through difficult moments to find the gold [27:00] Writing to capture a universal experience for the reader [27:24] The benefits of using precise language to build credibility [28:35] Connect with Mimi Website: https://www.mimiziemanmd.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mimiziemanmd Instagram: https://instagram.com/mimiziemanmd Facebook: https://facebook.com/mimiziemanmd TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mimiziemanmd Other Episodes Featuring Memoirists Episode #87 Writing Memoir That Reads Like a Novel and Captivates on Every Page Featuring Joanna Rakoff https://estelleserasmus.com/87-writing-memoir-that-reads-like-a-novel-and-captivates-on-every-page-featuring-joanna-rakoff/ Episode #83 Writing Your Way into An Engaging and Enthralling Story Featuring Abigail Thomas https://estelleserasmus.com/83-writing-your-way-into-an-engaging-and-enthralling-story-featuring-abigail-thomas/ Episode #81 The Art of Shaping a Compelling Story Featuring Maggie Smith https://estelleserasmus.com/81-the-art-of-shaping-a-compelling-story-featuring-maggie-smith/ Episode #79 Being Vulnerable on the Page and Finding Empathy In Your Heart Featuring Amy Ferris https://estelleserasmus.com/79-being-vulnerable-on-the-page-and-finding-empathy-in-your-heart/ Episode #44 Telling Your Stories without Shame or Apology https://estelleserasmus.com/44-telling-your-stories-without-shame-or-apology/ Episode #40 My Father's List https://estelleserasmus.com/40-my-fathers-list-and-laura-carney/ Episode #39 The Literary Gifts of the Leaving Season https://estelleserasmus.com/39-the-literary-gifts-of-the-leaving-season/ Episode #38 Cheryl Strayed on Writing and Tiny Beautiful Things https://estelleserasmus.com/38-cheryl-strayed-on-writing-and-tiny-beautiful-things/ Episode #35 Flying High with Storyteller Ann Hood https://estelleserasmus.com/35-flying-high-with-storyteller-ann-hood/ Episode #33 My What If Year https://estelleserasmus.com/33-my-what-if-year-with-author-alisha-fernandez-miranda/ Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch and essay reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/

Lara Lillibridge (she/they) is the author of The Truth About Unringing Phones: Essays on Yearning; Mama, Mama, Only Mama: An Irreverent Guide for the Newly Single Parent, and Girlish: Growing Up in a Lesbian Home. Lara is the Interviews Editor for Hippocampus Magazine and Creative Nonfiction Co-editor for HeartWood Literary Magazine. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from West Virginia Wesleyan College In this episode: How she approached writing about tough family topics [3:04] Building bridges into each chapter of your book [5:18] Developing a writing practice after you've lost your words [7:44] The surprising genesis of Lara's book's title and how it works as a throughline [10:03] How Lara found her publisher [13:16] The importance of audio rights to your book with the advent of AI [16:31] The trauma of writing about difficult relationships and the importance of self-care [21:11] Researching family history with handy online tools[23:20] Lara's work as Interviews editor for Hippocampus Magazine [28:08] Connect with Lara: Twitter: @Only_Mama Facebook: @LaraBethLillibridge Instagram: @LaraLillibridge Website: www.LaraLillibridge.com Lara's Interview with Estelle on Hippocampus Magazine https://hippocampusmagazine.com/2024/04/interview-with-estelle-erasmus-author-of-writing-that-gets-noticed/ Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed

Lisa Sharkey is the SVP and Publisher of the newly inaugurated HarperCollins imprint, Harper Influence, where her team acquires high profile non-fiction spanning popular culture, from general lifestyle and entertainment to stories of survival and inspiration. Whether in the fields of science, medicine, nature, music, lifestyle, spirituality, cooking, design, or news-driven narratives, the defining theme of her books surrounds cultural impact and relevance. Sharkey has overseen the acquisition and publication of more than seventy-five New York Times Bestsellers, including multiple number one bestsellers. Prior to her publishing career, Sharkey was President of Al Roker Entertainment, Senior Producer of Good Morning America and worked at various network news organizations from CBS to PBS and KingWorld's Inside Edition. She executive produced the documentary Profiles in Courage: A Kennedy Legacy, hosted by Caroline Kennedy. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Sharkey is also the recipient of Peabody and Dupont Awards for her work as part of the ABC News team during 9/11. Sharkey is also a member of various groups and organizations including: the New York regional cabinet for Washington University in St. Louis, and the advisory board for NABU.org. Sharkey also spearheads the annual Mona Sherman Memorial Lecture, honoring her late mother Mona Sherman, bringing high-profile speakers to the Berkshires in Massachusetts at no cost to the community. For the past eleven years, Sharkey has been a mentor for American Corporate Partners helping veterans transition out of the military and into civilian jobs. She is also a certified Yoga instructor. In this episode: The evolution of social media and publishing [5:09] Partnering with your publisher [6:11] Lisa's thoughts discoverability and TikTok for authors [10:06] Backlists: The backbone of publishing [13:15] How Lisa approaches publishing from a news and journalism background [20:33] How Lisa stays on top of trends as an early adapter [23:02] The power of networking [26:33] AI's influence on publishing and how Lisa uses it [33:46] Lisa's acquisitions and how she comes up with new ideas for books [34:21] How to get on Lisa's radar [38:17] Connect with Lisa: Instagram: @sharkogram LinkedIn: @lisasharkey X: @lisasharkey Facebook: @lisa.sharkey Wash U Distinguished Alumni Award Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/FPOmW1p5cxg Wash U Distinguished Alumni Award Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/live/r7fK7APGjP8?si=HhpuCJ26x0r3UsDG&t=1959 Estelle mentions Lisa in Episode #90 Estelle's Edge on the U.S. Book Show 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kh2TKt8lok Episode mentioning Harris Faulkner: Episode #41 Harris Faukner and How Faith Still Moves Mountains https://estelleserasmus.com/41-harris-faulkner-and-how-faith-still-moves-mountains/ Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle's Personal Essay Class for Writer's Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle's latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle's Latest Articles I'm Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do Pre-Launch to Get Your Book Noticed Writer's Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/