Caroline Leavitt is the New York Times bestselling author of 13 novels, most recently Days of Wonder, which was a CBS/Mary Calvi bookclub pick, the recipient of a MidAtlantic Arts Foundation grant, and which was translated into Russia and has a shopping agreement for film. The co-founder of A Mighty Blaze, the book program begun the day of lockdown, she writes a column blog “Runs in the Family” for Psychology Today, and is a book critic for people and the recipient of a New York Foundation of the Arts Fellowship. She teaches story structure for the novel at UCLA Writers Program Extension and works with private clients. Her work has appeared in the New York Times “Modern Love,” New York Magazine, Salon, Lit Hub, The Millions and many anthologies.

Caroline is longlisted for the 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize.

In this episode:

• The Inspiration Behind 'Days of Wonder'

• Caroline’s process for crafting her story with themes and structures

• Turning trauma into art

• Navigating dual timelines

• The art of multiple POVs in her writing

• Writing with themes of change, redemption, and societal perception

• The importance of perseverance in the writing industry

• Caroline’s advice for aspiring writers

Connect with Caroline

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

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

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@carowriter99

Website: www.carolineleavitt.com

Connect with Estelle Erasmus

Apply to be on Freelance Writing Direct in a coaching episode: email freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com and state three of the issues you are dealing with that you would like Estelle’s help with.

​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at

https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter.

Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest

https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals

Sign up for Estelle’s NYU Classes

https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/e/1068-estelle-erasmus.html

Get Her Book

Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0

Order Her Audiobook:

https://shorturl.at/4uG2P

Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests

Follow Estelle:

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

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSerasmus

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social