Listen:
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 Direct, Estelle Erasmus speaks with writer and editor Paula Derrow, Features Editor at The Persistent, the feminist publication known for publishing voice-driven, intellectually sharp stories centered on women’s experiences.
Paula shares how The Persistent was founded by former New York Times editor Francesca Donner to create a space where women’s stories could take center stage without compromise. She also opens up about why working there feels like a “dream job” after decades in glossy magazines.
In this episode:
• The kinds of pitches that grab Paula’s attention
• Why feminist, funny, counterintuitive, and intellectually ambitious ideas rise to the top
• The difference between riffs, essays, Q&As, and reported features
• Why editors are increasingly asking for essay pitches instead of completed drafts
• What “intellectual heft” means in practice
• How The Persistent works collaboratively with writers through deep editorial relationships
• What writers can expect in terms of rates, rights, and editing process
• How to get in touch with Paula
Paula also reflects on the evolution of women’s media, the realities of publishing after the magazine boom years, and why she believes strong editor-writer relationships still matter deeply.
Whether you’re pitching essays, reported features, or cultural criticism, this conversation offers an inside look at what editors want and how writers can better position their ideas in today’s media landscape.
Watch on YouTube
Read and sign up for The Persistent
https://www.thepersistent.com
About Paula Derrow
Paula Derrow is a writer and editor who spent the first 30 years of her career at glossy magazines, including as articles director at SELF. She is now the features editor at The Persistent, a feminist newsletter that puts women’s stories at the center. Her work, which focuses on ghost editing, as well as health, psychology, personal essays, profiles and social issues has appeared in The New York Times and other national publications.
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