Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, writing coach, and former magazine editor-in-chief of five national consumer publications. She’s been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Brain, Child, Family Circle and more. This year at HippoCamp, Estelle will share her expertise on how to get noticed by an editor in her break-out session “How to Pitch a Consumer Online or Print Publication.” We asked her some questions and got to know her a little better before this year’s creative nonfiction writing conference.
HM: Tell us a little about your involvement this year at HippoCamp. If you’re running a break-out session or workshop, what can attendees expect?
EE: I am running a breakout session, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned from my experience as a former magazine editor-in-chief of five national consumer publications, as well as a current writing coach, magazine editor, NYU adjunct instructor, and widely-published journalist. I’ve been on both sides of the pitching wall, and so I have a very different perspective than most and know what to do to get an editor’s attention.
HM: Our motto is “memorable creative nonfiction.” Tell us about one of the more recent memoirs, essay collections, or individual essays you’ve read and why it was memorable.
EE: I loved reading my friend William Dameron’s book The Lie: A Memoir of Two Marriages, Catfishing & Coming Out. It it has gotten such fabulous accolades, including from the New York Times Review of Books . I linked to his earlier work in a craft column I wrote for Hippocampus Magazine, also linked here. He is such a thoughtful and honest writer, which is funny because his book references how his photo was used to catfish women, even while he was living his own lie being married to a woman.
HM: What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker? And how did your past experiences encourage you to want to come back?
EE: I participated on a panel on freelance writing last year, moderated by Donna Talerico, and was honored to be a part of the conference. I also enjoyed attending sessions and meeting the rest of the talented attendees. And, of course, I love Hippocampus Magazine, and was delighted to contribute a widely-read Craft column: “How to Reveal While You Conceal” a few months ago.
HM: What’s going to keep you busy between now and HippoCamp?
EE: I just got back from a trip to Switzerland with my husband, while our daughter is in sleepaway camp. It was a wonderful respite from a very busy year. I had an article I wrote about “How to Bullyproof Your Child” go viral in the New York Times at the end of May, culminating with an appearance on Good Morning America, and being the focus of the Times Well newsletter.
I also started working as a guest editor for Narratively.com, started writing a personal finance column on the steps and stories of side hustles and second careers for Forbes, and I spoke at the Mom 2.0 conference in Austin, Texas and at the ASJA conference in NYC, so it’s been a busy spring/summer.
HM: Since you’ll also be attending the conference, when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat,” what are you most looking forward to learning or doing?
EE: I love writing and being a writing coach. It gives me a thrill to help my students get published in top tier newspapers and publications. I’m also working on a couple of book concepts. I also enjoy my role as the host/curator for the ASJA podcast ASJA Direct: Inside Intel on Getting Published and Paid Well. I’m looking forward to teaching a new course for NYU in the Fall called Writing about Midlife and Beyond. Aside from work (as you can tell, I love work), I enjoy trying new restaurants with my husband and, believe it or not, love going on weekend playdates with my 10-year-old daughter, because I enjoy hanging out with some of the moms (and occasionally sharing a bottle of wine).
HM: We love introducing Lancaster to attendees. What would you recommend to other attendees?
EE: I went there for the conference last year and loved eating at the local restaurants and walking around town. I need to look into where I want to eat this year. There are so many options, and I appreciate the constant updates on the Facebook page on where we can go to eat.
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Thanks, Estelle! We’re excited that you’ll be joining us again for a weekend of great discussions and delicious local food.
And reader, it’s not too late to register to attend HippoCamp 2019. Click here to register and experience the thrill of HippoCamp for yourself.
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