Freelance Writing Direct Podcast

Welcome to the award-winning Freelance Writing Direct podcast—named the 2025 Podcast of the Year in the Education category by the American Writing Awards.

Freelance Writing Direct is your go-to resource if you’re a writer who wants to break through the noise and get published—whether in essays, memoir, books, or journalism.

Hosted by Estelle Erasmus—an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), NYU writing professor, and seasoned editor-in-chief—the show blends craft, industry insight, and career strategy to help writers get noticed and published.

Each week, Estelle shares short, sound bite-filled episodes packed with actionable tips and candid conversations with bestselling authors, top editors, and publishing insiders. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the writing world really works—plus smart, strategic advice to move your writing forward.

From breaking into top publications and crafting irresistible pitches to navigating the path to book deals, Estelle pulls back the curtain on the writing life. She shares how the “sauce is made,” with writing prompts, publishing tips, and guidance from her 30+ years of experience across over 150 publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, AARP, and The Independent.

Whether you’re a creative writer, freelance writer, or aspiring author, you’ll find community, mentorship, and momentum here. And as the show evolves, so will Estelle—listening to her guests, responding to her audience, and always staying one step ahead of the industry curve.

If you’ve ever asked:

How do I get started writing?
What are assigning editors really looking for?
How do I find an agent?
What do publishers want?
What writing tips can I use today to improve my craft?
How do I get my pitches noticed?
What do bestselling authors and writing teachers recommend?
You’re in the right place.

It’s time to elevate your writing—with Freelance Writing Direct, a veritable pocket MFA in storytelling, building media credentials, origin stories, actionable writing tips, advice from agents, perspectives from publishers and more.

Estelle can’t wait to read what you’ll be writing.

Note: This is a community service that Estelle offers for free to help the writing community. The resources in these episodes are invaluable to writers at any stage of their careers. You can support her work by subscribing to my substack as a paid subscriber. And please leave a review on iTunes.

If you have ideas, please send an email to [email protected].