Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle

In this episode, Sherry Paprocki speaks with Michelle Rafter. Michelle has spent her career writing about business and technology, first as a newspaper reporter, then as a freelance reporter, columnist, and editor for national and local publications. Today, she ghostwrites books, research reports, and thought leadership articles on business, enterprise technology, and the future of work for CEOs and global consulting firms.

Michelle is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). She lives in Portland, OR with her family and wire fox terrier, Juniper. Off the clock, she loves strength training, the New York Times Spelling Bee, hanging out with her 3 adult children, reading, and watching movies.

In this episode:

• How Michelle began her career in newspapers and transitioned to freelance writing.

• Building long-lasting relationships within the writing industry

• Michelle's tips for other freelance writers

Connect with Michelle:

Website: https://michellerafter.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellerafter/

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497

Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speaks with Tami Kamin Meyer.

Tami is an attorney and freelance writer based in Columbus Ohio. She writes primarily about law, business, cannabis, health, and travel for Forbes, MarketWatch, Better Homes and Gardens, Next Avenue, Your Teen, National Trial Lawyer, and Ohio Magazine, to name a few. She is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, where she is Chair of the Marketing/Communications Committee. As Editor of Write Now Columbus, Kamin Meyer oversees a monthly e-newsletter about the burgeoning literary scene in central Ohio. In 2020, she was named to the Board of Editors of the Columbus Bar Association.

In this episode:

• Integrating Law and Writing into a niche.

• Transitioning from being an attorney to full time freelance writing.

• When to get a Lawyer to review contracts

Connect with Tami:

Website: https://tamikaminmeyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamikaminmeyer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamikaminmeyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/girlwithapen

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497

Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, Sherry Paprocki speaks with Teresa Woodard.

Teresa Woodard is a writer and field editor for regional and national consumer magazines and their digital outlets. She is contributing garden editor at Midwest Living magazine, content creator for an online plant store, co-author of American Roots: Reimagining Our Home Gardens (Timber Press; Fall 2022) and a another garden book (Timber Press, 2024). She designs perennial borders and native landscapes for central Ohio clients and reviews landscape designs for the ARC of a residential conservation development.

​Over the past 15 years, she's contributed to Midwest Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Gardens, Chicago Tribune, Living the Country Life, Ohio Magazine and Columbus Monthly magazine.

Teresa was awarded the 2016 Gold Award for Magazine Writing by The Association of Garden Communicators for her story, "Honey Harvest," for Country Gardens Magazine (Fall 2015) and she has continued her winning streak with a couple of Silver Awards in the last two years.

In this episode:

• How Teresa found her passion for gardening and put her roots down in the niche of gardening.

• The benefits of joining a writers group

• Tips for becoming a regular contributor to a magazine

• How to build lasting relationships with editors

Connect with Teresa:

Website: https://www.teresawoodard.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresapwoodard/

Get Teresa's book: https://www.amazon.com/American-Roots-Inspiration-Designers-Reimagining/dp/1643261169

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497

Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Lisa L. Lewis.

Lisa L. Lewis is the author of The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, And How Parents And Schools Can Help Them Thrive, described as "a call to action" by Arianna Huffington and "an urgent and timely read" by Daniel H. Pink. The book is an outgrowth of her previous work on the topic, including her role helping get California's landmark law on healthy school start times passed. Lewis has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and others, and has appeared on the Today show, BBC "Weekend," and local radio and TV in Los Angeles, San Francisco and elsewhere. She's a parent to a teen and a recent teen and lives in Southern California.

In this episode:

• How Lisa wrote op-ed pieces on the importance of sleep for teens, and had her work noticed by a State Senator.
• Gaining authority in your niche.
• Getting your message out into the public
• Tips on building connections through writing.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: www.lisallewis.com

Book: https://www.lisallewis.com/book

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lewislisal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lewislisal

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Estelle's Editor-on-Call event March 2nd in collaboration with NYU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/editor-on-call-tips-from-a-new-york-times-editor-to-get-you-published-tickets-478568911497

Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available for pre-order. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-that-gets-noticed-estelle-erasmus/1142384174

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus speaks with Cheryl Maguire about repurposing writing through reprints.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of boy/girl twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, AARP and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA.

In this episode:

• How Cheryl has made over $10,000 by reprinting her articles
• Maintaining the rights to your work so you can later resell it.
• How to find new media markets to pitch reprints to
• Who to pitch to, when to pitch and how to pitch.

Connect with Cheryl:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylMaguire05

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-maguire05/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmag05/

Cheryl's Article in the Washington Post:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/02/03/adhd-relationships-social-capital-tips/

Parenting Magazine Writers Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RegionalParentingMagazineWriters/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF

Her latest in Success magazine: Managing the Mess: Creating Organizational Systems After an ADHD Diagnosis https://www.success.com/managing-the-mess-creating-organizational-systems-after-an-adhd-diagnosis/ The KC Davis article: https://www.success.com/managing-the-mess-creating-organizational-systems-after-an-adhd-diagnosis/

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Ronit Plank, a writer, editor, and teacher.

Ronit has been published in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Rumpus, Hippocampus, Writer's Digest, The Iowa Review, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. She is the host/producer of the podcast Let's Talk Memoir and a nonfiction editor at The Citron Review. Her first book is the memoir When She Comes Back and her short story collection Home is A Made-Up Place, winner of the 2020 Eludia Award, will be out in 2023.

In this episode:

• The process of writing a memoir while protecting yourself and your sanity.
• Ronit's experience of writing a memoir and interviewing other memoirists on her podcast.
• The various ways memoirs can be written.
• Finding a writing community to join.

Connect with Ronit:

Book: https://ronitplank.com/when-she-comes-back/

Website: https://ronitplank.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/

Podcast: https://ronitplank.com/podcast-series/

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Courtney Maum.

Courtney is the author of five books, including the groundbreaking publishing guide that Vanity Fair recently named one of the ten best books for writers, BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL and the memoir THE YEAR OF THE HORSES, chosen by The Today Show as the best read for mental health awareness. A writing coach, executive director of the nonprofit learning collaborative "The Cabins," and educator, Courtney's mission is to help people hold on to the joy of art-making in a culture obsessed with turning artists into brands. You can sign up for her publishing tips newsletter and online masterclasses at CourtneyMaum.com

In this episode:

• How Courtney navigates through multiple genres.
• The importance of building connections with other creatives in the writing world.
• Tips for connecting with publishers.
• Courtney's tips on how writers can prioritize their mental health

Connect with Courtney:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbmaum/

Website: https://www.courtneymaum.com

The Cabins Retreat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecabinsretreat/

SubStack: https://courtneymaum.substack.com

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki talk about what to do to make pitches resonate with an editor, and review pitches submitted by Estelle's students, sharing what works, what doesn't, and how to revise to get accepted.

In this episode:

• The difference between a pitch and a more formal query letter.
• Tips for sending a pitch to an editor in today's world.
• Real-time review of anonymous pitches

If you want your pitch to be reviewed in a future episode of the Freelance Writing Direct podcast, send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki speak with Wendi Aarons, an award-winning humor writer.

Wendi's work has appeared in The New Yorker Daily Shouts, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, US Weekly Fashion Police, Scary Mommy, BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, and various other outlets. She is the author of the middle-grade book Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian" and the humorous memoir, I'm Wearing Tunics Now, and a contributor to many anthologies.

Her humor pieces have been performed by award-winning actresses including Uzo Aduba, Sharon Horgan, and Alison Brie of "Glow." Wendi's eponymous blog was named "Funniest Parenting Blog" by Parents Magazine and she was named "Most Entertaining Writer" at the Mom 2.0 Influencer conference. She both speaks on and teaches humor writing to both children and adults, and lives in Austin.

In this episode:

• How Wendi started writing about humor and finding her voice
• The rule of 3s in writing humor
• More tips on writing using humor and working in different genres
• The importance of networking and finding connection

Connect with Wendi:

Website: https://www.wendiaarons.com

Substack: https://substack.com/profile/6765564-wendi-aarons

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendiAarons

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendiaarons/

Buy Wendi's Books:

I'm Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder

https://bookshop.org/p/books/socks-a-footloose-miscellany-for-sock-lovers-and-wearers-wendi-aarons/18811173?ean=9781797212760

Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian https://www.amazon.com/Ginger-Mancino-Comedian-Wendi-Aarons/dp/1733988742

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

In this episode, Estelle Erasmus interviews Sherry Paprocki about how to maximize your freelance profits. Whether you are a beginner writer, or already have freelance clients, this episode will be really helpful for you.

Sherry is a top professional in publishing, and a branding and publishing strategist. She is the president of R.S. Rock Media Inc. In 2018, Sherry was honored twice by Folio as one of the top women in media and was placed on the Folio top 100 list for creative thought leaders in media. Sherry is also the past president of ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) and she has authored more than a dozen books. Sherry not only writes but also hires freelance writers for her business.

Sherry is the author of Freelance Fancy: Your Guide to Capturing Spiritual Health, Wealth and Happiness from Gig Work, which is a top Amazon pick in business.

In this episode:

• Sherry's career journey from writing for newspapers to freelance writing.
• How Sherry grew her business through networking.
• Tips for navigating through chaos.
• Qualities that make freelance writers successful.
• Sherry's advice and tips on actually getting the gig.
• The spiritual side of freelance writing.

Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Estelle:

Website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/

Estelle's Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes

Connect with Sherry:

Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki

Book: www.freelancefancy.com

If you've enjoyed our podcast, please leave us a review. Reviews help bring our podcast in front of more people.

We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at [email protected].