Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers,

Estelle Erasmus

Memoir Writing

Grief

Food Writing

Motherhood

Writing

Friendship

Feminism

Cellar Rat

Womenhood

Belonging

Toicn Restaurant Culture

Literary Analysis

Beauty Standards

Family Dynamics

Dating Apps

Loss

David Chang

Me Too Movement

Mothers and Other Fictional Characters

Solitude

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 2026 Podcast of the Year (Business) and the 2025 Podcast of the Year (Education) from the American Writing Awards, Freelance Writing Direct is your go-to podcast f... more

80 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	193	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	BusinessSelf-ImprovementEntrepreneurshipEducation

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Latest Episodes

#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 D... more

Today • 27 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 emotion... more

14 May 2026 • 25 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 c... more

7 May 2026 • 39 min

YouTube

#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 ... more

30 Apr 2026 • 40 min

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Vanessa Hua

Author of Coyoteland and Uprooted

Author

Episode: #191 Writing Characters Who Make Questionable Decisions with Vanessa Hua

Jacque Gorelick

Author of Map of a Heart

Vine Leaves Press

Episode: #190 Building a Memoir Around a Defining Moment with Jacque Gorelick

Tia Levings

Author of A Well-Trained Wife and I Belong to Me

Author and memoirist

Episode: #189 Turning a Story of Escape Into a Powerful Memoir And Real Impact with Tia Levings

Kerry Docherty

Author and co-founder of Faherty; memoirist of Selfish, Unlearning, Reclaiming, and Telling the Truth

Faherty

Episode: #188 Reclaiming "Selfish": On Craft, Creativity, and Braiding Truth into Memoir With Kerry Docherty

Sally Ekus

Senior Literary Agent at Jean Naggar Literary Agency; leads Ekus Group

Jean Naggar Literary Agency; Ekus Group

Episode: #187 People over Proposals with Literary Agent Sally Ekus

Jennie Young

Professor of rhetoric at UW-Green Bay, expert in applied rhetoric, humor, and feminism

University of Wisconsin–Green Bay

Episode: #186 Burn the Haystack: Decoding Men's Language, Power Moves, and Red Flags with Jennie Young

Regina Brooks

Founder and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency; President of the Association of American Literary Agents; author and industry leader

Serendipity Literary Agency; Association of American Literary Agents

Episode: #185 The Rise of Authorpreneurship with Literary Agent Regina Brooks

Mimi Nichter

Award-winning cultural anthropologist; author of Hostage, a memoir of terrorism, trauma, and resilience

University of Arizona (former professor); Potomac Books (publisher)

Episode: #184 From Silence to Story: Writing a Hostage Memoir 50 Years Later with Mimi Nichter

Blair Glaser

Writer and leadership consultant; memoirist of This Incredible Longing, Finding Myself in a Near Cult Experience

Author, Blair Glaser

Episode: #181 From Ashram to Author: Finding the Transformative Thread in a Near Cult Memoir with Blair Glaser

Host

Estelle Erasmus

Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, TEDx speaker, and author of Writing That Gets Noticed. She has extensive experience in the writing and publishing industries and serves as a Contributing Editor for Writer's Digest and an adjunct writing professor at NYU.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 80 ratings

An Invaluable Resource to Writers
As someone who came to writing after another profession and felt behind the curve, this podcast was an essential part of my learning process. The interviews are packed with thoughtful questions about craft and process from writers of diverse backgrounds and paths to publication. After writing for years now, I still learn so much on every episode. Estelle’s podcast is a must-listen for writers at any stage!
Apple Podcasts
5
STAR STAR STAR ⭐️⭐️⭐️
United States2 months ago
This podcast goes deep
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.
Apple Podcasts
5
BlairGlaser
United States3 months ago
So valuable
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.
Apple Podcasts
5
Jocelyn Cox
United States4 months ago
Thank you
Such a generous episode with Abigail Thomas—thank you!
Apple Podcasts
3
Oreille attentive
France4 months ago
Must Listen To For Writers
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.
Apple Podcasts
5
The Bob Eckstein
United States6 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Reviews highlight the engaging interview style and the depth of knowledge shared by both the host and guests.

Listeners appreciate the high-quality, actionable writing advice and industry insights provided by the host.

The podcast is praised for its practical tips that cater to both new and experienced writers.

Many find the conversations to be inspiring and informative, encouraging them to improve their writing careers.

It is often recommended as an essential resource for anyone interested in academic or literary publishing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#224	Canada/Business/Entrepreneurship
Apple Podcasts	#185	Ireland/Business/Entrepreneurship
Apple Podcasts	#192	Denmark/Business/Entrepreneurship
Apple Podcasts	#235	New Zealand/Business/Entrepreneurship

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#188 Reclaiming "Selfish": On Craft, Creativity, and Braiding Truth into Memoir With Kerry Docherty

Q: How did you balance sexuality and spirituality within the memoir to serve the broader themes?

Sexuality was explored honestly but with mindfulness: the sex scenes were allowed to be juicy but not to distract from the central questions of identity and spiritual self-discovery; the overarching aim was to illuminate how desire intersects with personal growth and truth-telling.

#188 Reclaiming "Selfish": On Craft, Creativity, and Braiding Truth into Memoir With Kerry Docherty

Q: What was your approach to handling sensitive family and brand implications when writing honestly about your life?

I weighed the responsibility to family and the Faherty brand, disassociated from potential reputational damage, and chose scenes that served the arc while potentially planning other outlets for material that didn't fit this book, ensuring honesty without harming loved ones or the business.

#188 Reclaiming "Selfish": On Craft, Creativity, and Braiding Truth into Memoir With Kerry Docherty

Q: How did you shape the narrative to keep it propulsive while dealing with intimate and potentially explosive material?

I used a plot-driven memoir approach with clear character arcs and tension in almost every scene, incorporating dream motifs and spiritual elements as braided threads rather than didactic insertions, while carefully deciding what to cut to preserve arc and impact.

#188 Reclaiming "Selfish": On Craft, Creativity, and Braiding Truth into Memoir With Kerry Docherty

Q: I have to start with the title. What are the ideas behind choosing 'Selfish' as a single-word title?

The word selfish is provocative and traditionally linked to negative judgments, especially for women. The book reframes it to explore self-prioritization as essential for creativity, marriage, motherhood, and personal growth, arguing the word can be reclaimed as a positive and honest stance.

#179 Writing from the Scar: Conscious Craft Choices with Jocelyn Jane Cox

Q: How did you decide to frame the book as a directed message to your son, and did you consider other narrative approaches?

I consciously chose a directed voice to my son to create intimacy and clarity, while recognizing that some chapters could sustain that voice for a time but not for the entire book; this framing helped manage pressure and maintain a cohesive arc.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
2. Writers on Writing
3. IndoctriNation
4. Writer's Routine
5. Helping Writers Become Authors

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 193 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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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Vanessa Hua
2. Jacque Gorelick
3. Tia Levings
4. Kerry Docherty
5. Sally Ekus
6. Jennie Young
7. Regina Brooks
8. Mimi Nichter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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