The publishing world is changing rapidly, but one thing remains constant: readers are still looking for compelling stories and authentic voices.

In this Summer Short episode, I share my biggest takeaways from the U.S. Book Show in New York, where publishing executives, authors, agents, and industry leaders discussed artificial intelligence, discoverability, podcast publicity, publishing data, and the growing opportunities for film and television adaptations. Along the way, I offer my own “Estelle’s Edge” on what these trends mean for freelance writers and authors today.

In this episode:
• How publishers are approaching AI while keeping creativity firmly in human hands.
• Why discoverability, not content, is publishing’s biggest challenge.
• The importance of metadata, articles, interviews, and building a digital footprint.
• Why podcasts have become the new virtual book tour and how to pitch them successfully.
• What publishers are learning from data without sacrificing editorial judgment.
• How film and television adaptations really happen, and why sales aren’t the only factor.
• My biggest takeaway from the conference about building a lasting writing career.

Whether you’re traditionally published, independently published, freelancing, or simply dreaming about writing your first book, these insights can help you better understand where publishing is headed and how to position your work for long-term success.

Don’t miss episode #201 Writing An Immersive Reading Experience 

Get More From Estelle Erasmus

A recent craft substack post is The Echo Effect (Part 2): Make Your Writing Linger Longer.  Sign up to get all my craft, pitching and publishing posts.

My next Editor-on-Call event with NYU is on Wednesday, September 16, with Electric Literature Executive Editor and Publisher Denne Michele Norris. Sign up here: https://events.nyu.edu/event/400238-light-up-your-literary-life-with-electric-literatures

Private Small-Group Memoir/Essay Class
My next six-week session beginning in September 2026 is sold out. Please email me to be added to the waiting list for the next session. Contact freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com for details.

Watch
Estelle’s TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond

Book
Writing That Gets Noticed — named a Poets & Writers “Best Book for Writers.”

Listen/Watch
Freelance Writing Direct Podcast — 2026  Podcast of the Year, Business (American Writing Awards) https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast

About Estelle
Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, TEDx speaker, and author of Writing That Gets Noticed. She is the host, founder, and executive producer of Freelance Writing Direct, an adjunct professor at NYU, and the former editor-in-chief of five national magazines with a combined reach of 10 million readers.

Her work has appeared in more than 150 publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP The Magazine.

Follow Estelle

Instagram: @EstelleSErasmus
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Twitter/X: @EstelleSErasmus
Bluesky: @estelleserasmus.bsky.social

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