From UA Little Rock to The New York Times: How Erica Sweeney Built a National Writing Career

There’s no secret handshake or code word to break into your dream career, just persistence, hard work, and a commitment to doing the job well.

For UA Little Rock alumna Erica Sweeney, that mindset has led to a prolific writing career with bylines in The New York Times, The Washington Post, TIME, Business Insider, and many more national publications.

But her path to journalism was not always clear.

“I’ve enjoyed reading and writing ever since I can remember,” Sweeney said. “In high school, I started considering writing as a career, but I didn’t get any encouragement until I got to UA Little Rock.”

It was in a freshman writing class that someone first recognized her talent.

“The first person to ever tell me I was a good writer was my instructor,” she said. “That stuck with me.”

Later, a conversation with her father pointed her toward journalism.

“I remember looking through the old paper course catalog with my dad,” she said. “He saw the journalism major and said, ‘You could work at the newspaper.’ I thought it sounded like a cool job.”

That decision set her on a new path.

Sweeney began her college career undecided, but once she entered the journalism program, she found her footing.

“I started really learning the craft once I got into the journalism program,” she said. “I wrote for The Forum, UA Little Rock’s student newspaper, and seeing my byline in print for the first time was so exciting. It still is.”

She points to former professors Sonny Rhodes, Bruce Plopper, and Frank Fellone as key influences during her time at UA Little Rock.

In a feature writing class, she developed a strong foundation in storytelling, learning how to structure stories, craft strong ledes, and use quotes effectively.

Her coursework also emphasized research and critical thinking. One exercise, known as “cosmic questions,” encouraged deeper inquiry and is something she still uses today.

In a news writing class, she grew more confident as a reporter and pushed past her natural shyness.

“That class really forced me to move past that and develop a thick skin,” she said.

That resilience has served her well in a competitive industry.

“It’s always great to see a UA Little Rock journalism student succeed, especially as a freelancer,” Fellone said. “It’s a tough business, and Erica’s list of publications is impressive.”

Today, Sweeney’s work appears in some of the most recognizable publications in the country, like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and TIME, but breaking into those outlets took time.

“People think there’s a secret handshake,” she said. “But it’s really just about pitching ideas.”

For years, she pitched story ideas to editors, often facing rejection, but she kept going.

In 2019, she finally broke into The New York Times and has been writing for the publication ever since.

“I just kept pitching,” she said. “Once I got my foot in the door, I focused on doing a really good job and building relationships.”

That focus paid off. Today, she has regular bylines in The New York Times and contributes to about a dozen other publications, many of which she has worked with for years.

“A lot of my work now comes from editors reaching out to me,” she said. “I try to make their lives easier by filing on time, sending clean copy, and pitching strong ideas.”

Sweeney always wanted to write about health and wellness, but she didn’t start there. When she began freelancing in 2016, she pitched whatever ideas she could.

Her entry into health journalism came in 2018 after connecting with an editor at HuffPost, where she began writing about food, nutrition, and trends.

“That helped me build clips in health and wellness,” she said. “I still write for that editor today.”

Now, much of her work focuses on health, healthcare, and wellness, along with business and lifestyle topics. Her stories often explore emerging trends, new research, and timely issues.

“I love learning new things or finding different angles on familiar topics,” she said.

That curiosity has been one of her biggest influences as a writer.

“I read a lot, including books, magazines, and newspapers. I listen to public radio and watch documentaries,” she said. “When I read, I pay attention to structure and word choice. It makes you a better writer.”

As her career has evolved, so has her freelancing approach.

One of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of building strong relationships with editors.

“I didn’t realize early on how important that was,” she said. “Now it’s a huge part of my work.”

She has also embraced new challenges, including fast-paced, deadline-driven assignments.

“I used to be afraid of quick turnaround work,” she said. “Now I actually enjoy it.”

For students interested in journalism or freelance writing, Sweeney emphasizes persistence, along with the ability to develop strong ideas, meet deadlines, and find reliable sources.

She also encourages students to think beyond writing and develop business skills, especially if they plan to freelance.

“You have to manage everything yourself, including your schedule, your income, and your marketing,” she said.

Her most important advice is to keep writing and not let rejection define your path.

“Keep writing. Get published wherever you can. Learn how to pitch,” she said. “And don’t be afraid. You’ll get rejected. I still do. You just have to move on.”