Bragworthy Bylines presents:
THE OPINION LAB
Get published in 2025 (even if you are starting from a blank page)! Don't wait until 2026!
Land your first published piece by Thanksgiving — if you start today!
There’s no better time to write & publish opinion—even if you've never done it before.
In the Opinion Lab, we'll turn an unshaped idea into a timely, pitch-ready idea and ready-to-publish piece you will be proud of.
Opinion sections in newspapers & magazines want new voices, fresh takes, and real-world experience. Now is the time to take the next step!
Your first opinion byline could be the one that changes everything—and you can learn how in just six weeks!
Opinion bylines open doors of opportunity for things like:
- 🎤 Speaking invitations from the events everyone wants on their résumé.
- 🎧 Podcast guest spots on the shows you already binge.
- 📚 Book deals because you’ve built credibility and name recognition.
- 🎙️ Radio interviews that amplify your voice on timely issues.
- 📺 Television appearances when the cultural moment hits.
- 📰 Editors coming to you with assignments — instead of you chasing them.
👉 And that’s just the beginning. Publishing opinion pieces sets off a ripple effect that builds your platform, grows your influence, and creates opportunities that keep compounding over time.
Why Fall is the Best Time to Learn Pitching & Opinion Writing
- Editors are back at their desks. After the summer slump, newsrooms and magazine editors are ready to assign stories as busy holiday months approach. It’s prime time to get your pitches noticed!
- Holiday deadlines are around the corner. Publications work months ahead. Learning now means your work can land in print or online right when holiday traffic peaks.
- Momentum before the new year. Instead of waiting for January resolutions, you’ll already have clips, bylines, and confidence heading into 2026 (and it's really tough getting things placed early in the year!)
- The cultural conversation heats up. From politics to holidays to year-end reflections, fall is packed with timely hooks for opinion pieces—your best chance to join national conversations. SO MANY HOOKS!
The #1 Shortcut to Getting Published (and Paid) Today: OPINION WRITING!
- Turn your story into your strength. Share a personal experience in a way that makes readers see an issue through brand-new eyes.
- Tap into today’s headlines. Connect your passions—whether faith, parenting, culture, or sports—to the conversations happening right now.
- Say what no one else will. Offer a fresh perspective that makes readers stop mid-scroll, rethink their assumptions, and remember your name.
Opinion writing is storytelling, teaching, and influence all rolled into one. It’s also how you get published in major outlets—even if you’re just starting out.
Leverage your passion and writing skills, so you can make a difference (and get paid for it!)
- You don't need a journalism degree or insider connections.
- You don't need decades of clips.
- You just need the right strategy and support to make it happen.
- Your opinion, your voice, your experience = the unique angle no one else can bring.
Your perspective isn't just personal—it’s POWERFUL and PERSUASIVE
You know you're a good writer -- and you've got some deeply-held opinions, but you worry you're not important enough or persuasive enough to submit opinion pieces.
Maybe you construct articulate pieces in your mind, or write passionate comments on social media...but putting it out there officially feels too scary.
You KNOW you have something to say, but pitching, publishing and actually promoting it? That part puts a pit in your stomach.
Why Put Yourself Out There?
...If fear is holding you back, that's a sure sign that you should move forward.
...If you can't stop thinking about it, that means it's meant for you.
...If you're passionate about something, the universe is saying, "Let's go."
For you, it’s time to enter a new era – and this one’s all about confidence, skill & purpose.
You’re ready to trade “Who cares what I think?” for bold, persuasive arguments that grab attention and spark conversation.
And here's how you're going to make it happen:
THE OPINION LAB: In this 6-week group coaching course you will go from idea to polished, ready-to-publish opinion essay -- with editor contacts in your digital rolodex.
You'll have the confidence to pitch your piece and have the know-how to repeat the process again and again (FOR YEARS -- I cannot stress this enough!)
This course is for writers who are ready to trade vague dreams for bold, guided action that leads to published bylines, paychecks, and a growing, positive reputation!
💡 Here's What You'll Learn Immediately 💡
👉 These aren’t just lessons — they’re skills you’ll use again and again to land bylines, get paid, and build your reputation as a published writer.
The “Irresistible Argument” Formula
Transform your opinions into rock-solid, persuasive essays that editors can’t wait to publish.
Turn Headlines Into Opportunities
Learn how to spot cultural trends, hot takes, and timely hooks — and spin them into essays that feel urgent right now.
The Editor-Approved Essay Blueprint
Follow a plug-and-play structure that keeps your writing sharp, clear, and compelling — no rambling, just publish-ready flow.
Sharpen Your Point Until It Cuts Through Noise
Identify, refine, and amplify your strongest idea so it grabs attention and sticks with readers.
6 Weeks of Group Coaching
Coaching, critiques, eyeballs on your work AND individual feedback.
- Coaching That Fits Your Life: Weekly group sessions (or catch the recordings anytime) & get direct guidance to take your essay from idea → published.
- Your Private Writer’s Room: A supportive community that’s in it with you — daily encouragement, accountability, and a safe place to share your wins (and your drafts).
- Unlimited Submissions, Unlimited Feedback: Send in your pitches, paragraphs, or full drafts anytime — and get expert eyes on your work when it matters most.
Fresh Video & Email Lessons Every Monday
Skip the guesswork. Each week, you’ll get a brand-new breakdown of a timely opinion piece — so you can see exactly why it worked and how to apply those same strategies to your own writing.
You'll learn:
- Why editors said yes — the hidden factors that made the piece irresistible.
- The headline hook — how a few well-chosen words grabbed attention and clicks.
- The argument’s secret sauce — what made the essay persuasive, memorable, and worth publishing.
Complete Bragworthy Bylines Course & Curriculum
Unlock lifetime access to the full Bragworthy Bylines system — 4 powerhouse modules that walk you step-by-step through pitching, publishing, and getting paid. This isn’t just theory; it’s the exact roadmap I’ve used (and my students have used) to land bylines in major outlets.
- Ready-to-use pitch & idea templates — no staring at a blank page wondering what to say.
- Plug-and-play pitches — copy, customize, and hit send with confidence.
- The VIP Big List of Publications — hundreds of outlets at your fingertips, so you never wonder “where should I pitch?” again.
- My personal editor Rolodex — direct names + email addresses at top publications (yes, the ones you actually want to write for).
Opinion Writing Fundamentals Course
Get instant access to the complete Opinion Writing Fundamentals course — your step-by-step guide to pitching and publishing opinion pieces in top outlets like The New York Times.
.
- Insider tips straight from editors — what they actually look for (in their own words).
- Where to send your best ideas — a curated list of the smartest places to pitch your essays.
- How to get paid what you deserve — no more guessing what your work is worth.
👉 With this foundation, you’ll skip years of trial-and-error and know exactly how to pitch, price, and place your work in the world’s most respected publications.
Comprehensive Opinion Piece Edits
Don’t just hope your piece is ready — know it. You’ll get a full, line-by-line edit of your opinion piece so it’s polished, persuasive, and 100% publish-ready.
- Deep-dive edit + follow-up edit — making sure your essay is crystal clear, compelling, and impossible for editors to ignore.
- Customized coaching notes — actionable feedback to strengthen your voice, sharpen your arguments, and make your writing shine.
- Pitch placement guidance — personalized suggestions on which editors and publications are the best fit for your essay.
👉 You’ll leave with more than a polished essay — you’ll leave with the confidence (and the exact next steps) to hit send and see your name in print.
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
"I can't recommend this course enough. The value comes not just from the live feedback provided in weekly group calls, but also the 1:1 coaching and pitch edits.
Since working with Ericka TWICE, I've had pieces accepted in National Geographic Travel, Washington Post, Newsweek, Washington Examiner and Italy Segreta!"
- Alyssa B., 2025 Student
"I loved the individual attention. There are so many coaches who are only willing to teach their exact process, but Ericka really looks at how her process can adapt to her students instead of the other way around.
She really helps us figure out what works best for us. And the community of other students is one of the best!
I had pitches accepted to Authority Magazine and Brainz Magazine!
- 2025 Student
"Ericka was enormously helpful to me as I started down the road of travel writing. I'm very thankful for her good advice and insight.
During the course, I had work accepted at Golf.com, National Geographic, Western Horseman, Okra Magazine and the Daily Memphian.
-- Candace E., 2025 Student
Silence Self-Doubt and Speak Boldly—Even When You Know People Will Disagree
Build the confidence to share your voice with conviction—so you can stop second-guessing and start getting published.
Discover a simple process to shape your personal opinions into powerful, publishable ideas—so you can confidently hit send.
Learn how to identify what sets your perspective apart from the noise, so you can craft a pitch editors can’t ignore.
MEET ERICKA
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
Ericka Andersen is an accomplished opinion writer, with multiple pieces published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Post, the Washington Post and more. She is an opinion columnist at WORLD magazine, a regular contributor at Christianity Today, and the author of three traditionally published books.
