In this episode, Sherry Paprocki and Estelle Erasmus speak with Jack El-Hai, the author of 14 books. Jack writes nonfiction books, longform narratives, podcasts, and the free monthly Damn History newsletter for writers and readers of popular history. He covers history, medicine, science, crime, and anything else that hooks him and he thinks will also hook his audience.
Jack also helps physicians learn how to use creative writing to avoid stress and burnout, connect with their patients, enjoy the pleasure of creation, and enjoy the satisfaction of publishing their work.
In addition to his newest book The Lost Brothers, he has written The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, Non-Stop: A Turbulent History of Northwest Airlines, and The Lobotomist: A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness. His articles have appeared in Smithsonian, The Atlantic, GQ, Wired, Scientific American Mind, Topic, Longreads, The Washington Post Magazine, and many other publications.
Several of Jack’s nonfiction stories have been optioned for the screen and stage. He frequently gives talks and leads workshops on the topics of his books as well as on the craft of nonfiction writing and the benefits of creative writing for physicians.
This episode covers:
How Jack went from writing freelance articles to tackling writing books.
How Jack has sold his stories for adaptation.
Signing options and understanding option fees.
4 tips for how a writer can get involved in options and movies
Website: https://www.el-hai.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jack_ElHai
Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com
Connect with Estelle:
Website: https://estelleserasmus.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/
Connect with Sherry:
Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki
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