In my latest Substack post I talk about serendipitous meetings, platonic dating, creative inspiration from standup comics and recasting Caddyshack. Link in bio and hope you'll check it out!
I’ve had a successful freelance writing career for 25 years. Successful doesn’t mean there haven’t been challenges like budget cuts, reorganizations, and don’t even get me started on AI (hiss!). But I’ve survived because I learned long ago how to pivot, expand my offerings, and change with the markets. So has @aileenweintraub , my partner in Witches of Pitches. In fact, we got to know each other as weekly accountability partners.
We’re often asked how we got into copywriting, content writing, kid lit, and journalism and decided to add a service to Witches of Pitches called The Career Kvetch. We’ll Zoom with you for 45 minutes to talk about your career, answer your questions, and share our witchy wisdom on networking and breaking into a new area, whether you’re entry level or making a mid-career pivot. Reach out to us at WitchesofPitches.com and take advantage of our introductory pricing.
After a long hiatus, I'm so happy to be back on Substack with a new post I hope you'll read. It's about shedding layers, new beginnings, and seeking connection. Link in bio.
S'up, witches? Want to conjure a powerful start to the new year and add some magic to your writing projects? My witchy partner @aileenweintraub and I are running a special for our editing business, Witches of Pitches. $100 off a first 50-page edit or proposal, or take 10% off our editing services for essays, queries or kit lit. Or book a kvetch session where we talk through whatever writerly challenge you're facing. Must purchase the service by Jan. 15 and redeem by March 15. Visit WitchesofPitches.com to learn more and contact us.
Life has been super busy lately and I haven’t been keeping up with my TBR stack. But I’m carving out time for coffee and this fantastic memoir by @writersweeney and it’s exactly the escape I need. She hooked me from page one.
There’s nothing funny about illness, grief, or loss. Except the parts that are. Go to Provoked magazine for my latest piece on the superpower of inappropriate laughter. Special thanks to my editor @provokedbysusan
Our sale ends October 10 but you'll have until December 31 to redeem your purchase. Get $100 off a first-50-page edit or proposal or save 10% on edits of essays, queries and kid lit or a kvetch session, where we talk about whatever writerly stuff you're grappling with. Remember, with Witches of Pitches, you get two creative writers/editors — myself and @aileenweintraub — who will partner with you on your projects. We'd love to work with you! Visit WitchesofPitches.com.
‘Sup, witches? The Witches of Pitches are brewing up a special offer to keep the creative magic flowing. Discounted service(s) must be purchased by October 10 and redeemed by December 31.
@aileenweintraub and I know it can be challenging to stay focused on writing when there’s turmoil in the air. Here’s some witchy wisdom we hope inspires you to rise above.
1) Your art doesn’t have to reflect what’s happening in the world today.
Don’t assume your stories are unimportant against the noisy backdrop of politics. Our stories are what connect us as humans. They remind us of our shared values and experiences and offer a window into lives that are different from ours. If it matters to you, write about it.
2) Magic happens when you mix things up. Does your writing libido need to be reanimated? Experiment with a different genre or format. Try poetry, flash fiction, humor, hermit crab essays, reporting, or profiles. Even if you decide not to submit it for publication, switching things up works wonders for creativity and mood elevation.
3) Tend your cauldron. If you need a break from your MS or find it hard to carve out writing time, that’s okay. Just don’t abandon your creative side entirely. Keep a running list of essay topics you’d like to explore. Write or sketch in a journal. Use a notebook to capture interesting bits of conversation or cultural moments that spark a reaction. You can revisit these later as writing prompts.
4) Remember: there’s a reason witches form covens. Lean into the community of writers, whether through social media, cowriting Zooms, virtual classes, or IRL. And if you need us, we’re here to help with writing, editing, and supporting you through your creative qualms. Reach us at WitchesofPitches.com.
When I needed writing and publishing advice, I turned to the Witches of Pitches, @aileenweintraub and @meganrmargulies who offered great feedback and friendship. Now, as Megan steps aside to work on her next book, I'm thrilled to team up with Aileen as a witch and help other writers with pitching, companion pieces, editing, and (our favorite) kvetch sessions where we listen, brainstorm, offer feedback, and share a laugh.
Editing to add: I am not leaving my day job as a healthcare writer, which I love. Witches is an expansion of my writing and an awesome opportunity to team up with a great friend and fabulous writer and editor.
Book mail is the best mail! So excited to read this book in essays by my friend @melissafraterrigo and always thrilled to celebrate a new publication. Congrats!
I wrote a piece for PROVOKED about the embarrassment that's killing us. Women are conditioned to brush off our medical concerns. We’re afraid of imposing on others or being perceived as ignorant, neurotic, or high maintenance. And when we do speak up, our opinions are too often dismissed.
So we ignore what should be checked. We hold off on asking the awkward questions. And we let embarrassment over a few extra pounds stop us from getting a full-body skin check. Meanwhile, one in five of us will develop skin cancer by 70.
It’s time to get checked, and get over ourselves. Or, to put it another way, like my ladies at @myfavoritemurder (who I shout out in my story): “F*ck embarrassment.”
Thank you to @provokedbysusan for encouraging me to speak out. See link in bio for the story and if you haven’t signed up for the PROVOKED newsletter, make sure you do!
Excited that my story, "For caregivers, a friend who 'gets it' can be a lifeline" won Honorable Mention in the Reported Essay category of the 2025 ASJA Awards. Thank you to the American Society of Journalists and Authors @asjahq for this recognition and to @washingtonpost for publishing my piece.
The judges said: Schwartz's description, level of detail and story framing shined in this most personal and affecting essay. It was relatable on a level most parents who have a child with disabilities, not just cystic fibrosis, could connect with, illuminating the writer’s anguish and experience in a way that draws empathy from the reader.
Story link in bio.
