
Want to get published or land a book deal? Join TEDx speaker and author Estelle Erasmus for smart writing tips, publishing insights, and behind-the-scenes advice for fiction writers, memoirists, and authors at every stage. Winner of the 2025 Podcast of the Year (Education) from the American Writing Awards, Freelance Writing Direct is your go-to podcast for writing tips, publishing advice, and insi... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 184 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Self-ImprovementBusinessEntrepreneurshipEducation | |||

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 ha... more
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 orga... more
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 h... more
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 celebr... more
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After listening to Freelance Writing Direct and then having the honor of being a guest, I can say that Estelle Erasmus is an excellent interviewer. Not only does she bring passion and charm to each episode, but she is thoughtful and really takes her time with the material, yielding a rich discussion. As a writer I always learn something new from listening, something that I think about for a few days after… the mark of time well spent.
This podcast is fascinating for writers who are just getting started and those who are more seasoned. The discussions about craft, content, and all the nuances of the publishing industry are priceless. Host Estelle Erasmus is a font of knowledge and has a lot of valuable experience in this realm, so her questions are always insightful.
Such a generous episode with Abigail Thomas—thank you!
I’m a huge fan of this podcast and can say it has definitely helped with my publishing career while being entertained. I have recommended Estelle’s words of wisdom to many writing friends.
I’ve been interviewed many times over the years, and Estelle Erasmus is truly one of the most prepared and thoughtful hosts I’ve ever encountered. She knew my memoir Bullied to Besties inside and out, and her questions and insights were both deep and compassionate. She also gracefully navigated the dynamic between me and my 102-year-old mother, who joined me on the episode, giving us both space to shine. Freelance Writing Direct is a must-listen for any writer—you’ll come away with practical tip... more
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Apple Podcasts | #203 |
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This podcast offers a wealth of insights for writers looking to enhance their careers across various genres, including essays, memoirs, and novels. Discussions often revolve around practical writing tips, publishing strategies, and candid talks with industry insiders, making it ideal for both emerging and established writers. Additional themes include finding an agent, understanding what editors seek, and how to effectively pitch stories to leading publications. Unique in its approach, the show provides not only expert guidance but also personal stories that resonate with listeners, blending expertise with relatability.
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1. Let’s Talk Memoir
2. Writing Your Resilience: Building Resilience, Embracing Trauma and Healing Through Writing
3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
4. This American Life
5. Memoir Nation
this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 184 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on this podcast include:
1. Dinty W. Moore
2. Casey Mulligan Walsh
3. Jackie Goldschneider
4. Joëlle Delbourgo
5. Hannah Selinger
6. Amy Wilson
7. Nicole Graev Lipson
8. Bonny Reichert
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