I couldn’t be more delighted at the success of my friend, Estelle Erasmus’ book, Writing that Gets Noticed. If you’re a writer, want to be a writer or ever wanted to get published, this book chock-full of writing advice is for you.

And oh, by the way, if there’s a writer in your life? It’s a perfect holiday gift! Because what writer doesn’t want to hone their skills? I know I do!

But don’t take my word for it. It won a 2023 Zibby Award for “Best Book for The Writer” and was named by Poets & Writers magazine as a “Best Book for Writers“. And as memoirist Abigail Thomas said about it: “It’s an encyclopedia of writing advice, but feels like a conversation.”

I had a chance to pick Estelle’s brain about writing and thought you might enjoy some of her thoughts and her excellent advice.

Carol: What makes a successful writer, especially today, when there are fewer traditional media outlets?

Estelle: I think a successful freelance writer keeps a curious mind, and a beginner mindset and gathers information, and then makes sure that the craft supports the execution of the essay, article or pitch. They also realize that publishing is a long game, and so they look into various ways to tell their stories: through micro memoir, substack posts (where they can accrue subscribers, and eventually get paid), podcasts and new technologies. The traditional media venues are shrinking so it’s important to find new ways to get what you want to say out there and build an audience for your message or writings.

Carol: I see a lot of writing out there but little craft in comparison to the volume of writing today. How do you see the state of writing today where everyone can “publish”?

Estelle: I think that the cream rises to the top, and if people aren’t able to craft a story well, they will lose their readers over time. A publication may want them for a “clickbait” story, but once that story is over, if they don’t know how to tell other less sensational stories they won’t be published consistently in credible publications.

Carol: How do you advise people to develop craft?

Estelle: I think they can read books for ($20 and less) like mine, and others, read about craft in Brevity and Writer’s Digest, and listen to/watch free podcasts like Freelance Writing Direct that offers craft and writing advice, directly from authors, agents, editors and publishing and media professionals, including how to structure books.

The next level is attending online webinars for a small fee (I love the ones offered by Jane Friedman and also CRAFTSTALK). You might also consider taking a class at your community college, but make sure that the person teaching has the kinds of bylines or books you aspire to, as well as deep ties in the industry.

Another option is to take classes at established organizations like the ones I teach for Writer’s Digest. A fifth level is to take a university-level class for adults, which I teach at NYU’s School of Professional Studies.

Finally, they can invest in attending conferences (virtual and in-person) and going to sessions taught by industry leaders. Many writing coaches also offer 1 x 1 coaching which requires a deeper investment. I always advise having some experience with the person first before putting a great deal of money down.

Carol: It seems like so many people want to be writers. What is your best advice to people who are just starting out? How to get started?

Estelle: As Jackie Collins said, “If you want to be a writer-stop talking about it and sit down and write!”  To start out in a professional capacity, write anything you can and for everyone you can. When I was starting out I wrote brochure copy, book reviews, pieces for local newspapers, and then wrote for magazines once I became a magazine editor. But, I always kept learning and growing and never gave up.

If you want to write a memoir, start writing your stories, and try to get some of them out in micro memoir form. A lot of the bloggers that I knew when we all blogged have since written books. I think it helped that they were in the practice of writing every day, and kept honing their skills. It’s important to realize that publishing is a long game, and so think of your writing that way and never give up

Erasmus offers”Estelle’s Edge” –with practical and craft advice, including how to find and contact editors, how to create a timely pitch, the best way to begin and end an essay, plus analyzing why essays work, plus how to avoid writer’s block and generate ideas that an editor will love.

She also offers a goldmine of databases that offer credible experts and information.

The podcast is an amazing resource, and so is her book.

Whether you are getting this book to help your college-age child prepare, are a blogger, want to get published or or have been published before and want to get published again and again, this is your ticket to making it happen.

Besides writing advice, Erasmus even offers a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. https://estelleserasmus.com

So check it out, and don’t forget — you can treat the writers on your holiday list to a wonderful resource that they’ll refer to time and time again.