Listen:
Writers often think they need to start from scratch to get published. But what if some of your best future work is already sitting in your drafts, journals, or forgotten blog posts? In this week’s solo episode of Freelance Writing Direct, I share how to breathe new life into older writing—transforming essays, articles, pitches, or even pieces from defunct websites into fresh opportunities.
Drawing from my 30+ years in publishing, I walk you through practical strategies for repurposing and revitalizing your words. You’ll learn how to reframe old essays into micro memoirs or service journalism, update rejected pitches so they feel timely, and even mine past work for TEDx talks, profiles, or new publishing angles.
Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas or new bylines, this episode is all about helping you see your writing with new eyes—and realizing that what you’ve already created still has value and power.
In This Episode
- Turn older writing into micro memoirs, flash fiction, or service journalism
- Rework rejected pitches into timely articles or essays
- Use past material for TEDx talks, profiles, and reported pieces
- Pitch local and regional outlets for new publishing opportunities
- Leverage platforms like Substack, Medium, and literary journals to grow your audience
Watch on YouTube
Webinar
Sign up for my webinar on October 9th in collaboration with Writer’s Digest
Mapping Your Memoir: How to Find the Heart and Shape of Your Story
Related Episodes and Articles
Episodes
#139 How to Submit Your Writing to Literary Magazines and Get Published
#88 The Founder of HARO, Launches SOS—Source of Sources
#18 Repurposing Writing Through Reprints
Articles
When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (And An Offer)
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🎤 TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond
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About Estelle:
Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct professor at NYU, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine. She’s served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.
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Latest posts: “Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story” and “How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen” - 🎧 More episodes: Freelance Writing Direct Podcast
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