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August 21, 2025 17 mins

Estelle Erasmus shares strategies on how to breathe new life into the work you’ve already created. She draws from her 30+ years in publishing to reveal practical, creative ways to transform past essays, blog posts, journal entries, or even pieces from defunct websites into fresh, publishable work.

 

In this episode:

  • Turn older writing into micro memoirs, flash fiction, or service journalism [1:25]

  • Rework rejected pitches into timely articles or essays [6:15]

  • Pitch local and regional outlets for new publishing opportunities [8:20]

  • Use past material for TEDx talks, profiles, and reported pieces [8:57]

  • Leverage platforms like Substack, Medium, and literary journals to grow your audience [15:35]

 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lGAg07y-GMo

 

Related Episodes and Articles

Episodes

#139 How to Submit Your Writing to Literary Magazines and Get Published

https://estelleserasmus.com/139-how-to-submit-your-writing-to-literary-magazines-and-get-published/

 

#88 The Founder of HARO, Launches SOS—Source of Sources

https://estelleserasmus.com/88-the-founder-of-haro-peter-shankman-a-hero-to-journalists-on-deadline-launches-source-of-sources/

 

#18 Repurposing Writing Through Reprints

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freelance-writing-direct-with-estelle-conversations/id1647429472?i=1000596773834

 

Articles

When Writers Are the Ones Blocking the Page: 6 Ways to Move Forward (And An Offer)

https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/when-writers-are-the-ones-blocking

 

If You are Thinking of Doing an Audiobook

https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-thinking-of-doing-an-audiobook

 

Audiobook and sample for Writing That Gets Noticed

Order and listen here

https://www.audiobooks.com/promotions/promotedBook/786773/writing-that-gets-noticed-find-your-voice-become-a-better-storyteller-get-published?refId=207903




Connect with Estelle:

 

Get More from Estelle:

Webinar: Sign up for Estelle’s webinar on October 9th in collaboration with Writer’s Digest

Mapping Your Memoir: How to Find the Heart and Shape of Your Story

https://writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com/mapping-your-memoir

🎤 TEDx Talk: How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond
Estelle blends personal storytelling with actionable strategies for standing out—starting with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine.
📺 Watch, comment, and share

📬 Newsletter + FREE Pitching Guide
Find out more about this episode and get Estelle’s free pitching guide when you sign up for her newsletter: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast

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 Avenu

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