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

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 Th

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-lea

In this bonus episode, Estelle shares her first-hand experience of attending the 2024 U.S. Book Show as media, presented by Publishers Weekly and the Association of American Literary Agents. 
 
The much-anticipated annual event, hosted by NYU’s SPS Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts at NYU’s Kimmel Center in New York City, brought the industry together for continuing education, discussion of emerging trends, and networking to foster relationships within the publishing community.
 
This conversation covers the rise (and increasing dominance) of audiobooks, the importance of libraries and librarians, the significance of personal connections in publishing, and Estelle’s thoughts on using AI as an author. 
 
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/

Amanda Churchill is a writer living in Texas. Her work has been featured in Hobart Pulp, Witness, River Styx, and other outlets. She was a Writer’s League of Texas 2021 Fellow and holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of North Texas. The Turtle House is her first novel.
 
In this episode:
The challenges of writing a novel about family [3:24]
Creating an ending in fiction you couldn’t provide in real life [5:21]
Interviewing subjects and researching a novel based on family history  [9:50]
Developing through lines and replicating motifs [18:07]
How being a graphic designer and focusing on visual as much as the words helped Amanda write the book [25:01]
Finding the confidence to move forward creatively without fear [20:05]
Dealing with the intensity of writing about strong emotions [34:29]
How Amanda structured her writing process and found her agent [36:45]



Connect with Amanda:
 
Twitter: https://x.com/agchurchill
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandagchurchill/
Website: https://amandagannchurchill.com
 
Get her book on Estelle’s Bookshop
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-turtle-house-amanda-churchill/20297348?aid=98827&ean=9780063290518&listref=authors-who-have-appeared-on-freelance-writing-direct&



Other Episodes Featuring Novelists
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 #58 Writing About Historical Subjects
https://estelleserasmus.com/58-writing-about-historical-subjects-with-audrey-clare-farley/



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.
 
Get on the Waiting List for Estelle’s online Editor-on-Call Event in Partnership with NYU on June 13
“Making the Cut” with editor for The Cut, Jen Ortiz
https://events.nyu.edu/event/327843-editor-on-call-making-the-cut-with-your-writing
 
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/