How Writers Thrive in an Evolving Landscape: Insights From The Writers RoundUp
At a recent panel of editors, journalists, and creators, one message rang loudest: writing is a craft of constant evolution. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or deep into your career, the habits and adaptability you build now will define the writer you become.
The event occurred on November 11, 2025, in Lincoln Center’s campus Room 402. The panelists were a diverse array of accomplished writers in their respective fields.
Students listen attentively to the panel sharing their expertise
The Foundation: Read, Write, & Talk About It
Professor John Hanc, host and moderator, opened with a simple truth: if you want to be a writer, you must first be a reader. Immersing yourself in language: books, articles, media, not only sharpens your instincts but expands your understanding of how words work.
Writing consistently matters just as much. The panel emphasized that you don’t grow from perfection; you grow from practice, from conversation, from critiques, and even from rejection. As Grace McCarty, Associate Beauty Editor at Glamour Magazine, put it, “even rejections are connections.”
And when you get an editor? Liz Neporent, producer with the ABC News Med Unit on the National Desk, says we need to understand one thing: Your editor is always right.
The Power of Community and Alumni Networks
Grace highlighted the extensive Fordham alumni network, a resource filled with writers, editors, and media professionals who are eager to lend insight. Many in the industry are former Fordham students, making mentorship, connections, and insider knowledge more accessible than students might realize.
Building a Career: Agility, Passion, and the Open Door
Liz reminded the audience that writing careers are fueled not just by talent, but by curiosity. “My job is fun and important,” she said, reflecting on the many satisfying and challenging chapters of her career.
John added that he doesn’t even consider retiring—writing is too fun.
Across the panel, one theme drilled through: be nimble. When a door is ajar, don’t just walk through; kick it open. Opportunities appear in unexpected forms, and the writers who grow the most are the ones who stay flexible and open-minded.
When offered assignments that may not personally excite you, think of yourself like a craftsperson. A carpenter may prefer building certain things, but the satisfaction lies in creating something well.
Approach each topic with precision, storytelling, and clarity, and it becomes meaningful, both to you and to your audience.
The Question of AI: Threat or Tool?
Inevitably, the conversation turned toward rapid technological change...specifically, AI.
“Aren’t you afraid AI will replace you?” someone asked.
The panelists agreed: AI isn’t the enemy—misuse of it is.
Anthony Sarchiapone, marketing director, creative director, and copywriter who works with medical and education startups, described AI as helpful for brainstorming and idea-generation, but frustrating when writers blindly copy its output. “In a writing company, everyone knows how to write,” he said. “Standing out is always a challenge. AI is great in the right hands, but for people not trained in professional writing, they’re going to do dumb things.”
Gabrielle emphasized that the concern isn’t AI itself, but people who don’t understand how to use it responsibly. Ask AI to check for bias. Train it for different personas. Use it to help you think, not replace your thinking.
Liz, who uses AI extensively for fast-paced scientific and data work, put it bluntly: “Anybody using it for writing is a fool.” She referenced a company that fired all its writers in favor of AI. It suffered a 30% drop in sales because the writing no longer resonated with audiences. Humans had to be rehired because they recognized that human emotion could not be replaced.
The takeaway? AI can process, assist, and accelerate. But it cannot observe. It cannot stand in one physical place, talk to people, and write a 1,500-word article capturing human emotion. Until machines can physically report, real journalism is safe.
The panel stressed adaptability: when the internet arrived, people claimed journalism would die. When social media arrived, they said the same. Journalism didn’t die: it transformed. AI is the next transformation. Writers who learn how to use it well will have a competitive edge.
Professional Development & Networking: Where to Grow
Several resources were highlighted for writers seeking community and growth:
● American Society of Journalists and Authors – strong client connections, editor talks, and professional development.
● Airtable – an organizational tool used widely in media.
● Creative Mornings – free Friday morning creative conversations rooted in non-transactional giving and networking.
These spaces help writers build relationships, ask questions, practice curiosity, and understand emerging tools, including AI.
Glamour editor, Grace, explained that even a humorous piece can explode online if the take is strong enough. Viral culture, TikTok brain rot, and all can become an unexpected doorway to serious readership.
Most of ABC’s views now come from TikTok and YouTube, illustrating how drastically audience habits have shifted. Writers must shift, too. You still need a platform, and social media is, increasingly, where readers discover stories.
Authenticity and Timing: What Still Matters Most
Despite all the technological and cultural changes, two fundamentals persist:
● Timing: Know what’s happening NOW. What topics are trending? What conversations are emerging?
● Headlines: “Headlines are EVERYTHING.” A strong headline carries your story into the world and convinces people to click.
And perhaps the most reassuring insight of the night: Writing persists because humanity persists. Beauty journalism, for example, is deeply emotional, tactile, and human. AI can’t replicate the lived experience of someone testing products, interviewing people, or interpreting cultural meaning.
Ask questions. Learn new tools. Meet new people. Explore topics even when they aren’t your first choice.
Stay flexible enough to let opportunities shape you in ways you didn’t predict.
Lean in.
Because in an age of constant evolution, the writers who thrive are the ones who remain curious, adaptable, and deeply, unmistakably human.
Panelists and Hosts
Anthony Sarchiapone is a marketing director, creative director, and copywriter who works with medical and educational startups. He volunteers with 311Literacy in Mexico and The Great Reading Tournament; “Live Joyfully,” K-12 education programs.
Grace McCarty (FCRH'23) is the Associate Beauty Editor at Glamour Magazine, where she covers beauty and wellness through a pop culture lens. AtGlamour, Grace keeps a pulse on beauty news, vets the latest viral products, and supports long-term editorial projects such as the Glamour Beauty and Wellness Awards.
Gabrielle Gayagoy Gonzalez writes about equity, leadership, and career success for women, professionals of color, and other underrepresented groups. Named to Diversity Woman Media’s Power 100 List for her role in increasing diverse representation in the media, Gabby is a co-author of Racial Justice at Work: Practical Solutions for Systemic Change, which inspired both a companion podcast and the award-winning Racial Justice at Work Summit.
Liz Neporent is a health and medical journalist and producer at the ABC News Med Unit at the National Desk. She is deeply committed to delivering science-based, public-service reporting on health issues—and outside of work, she’s known for being a passionate runner.
John Hanc is an accomplished author and adjunct professor who teaches a Writers Workshop course at Fordham. He decided to host this panel to motivate students interested in a writing career who may be wondering what kind of career opportunities are available in the market, especially in light of the current emerging AI trends.
His assistant, Angel Madera, a current senior at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus, has supported him on two book projects and co-hosted this event. Angel plans to attend law school and pursue a career as a patent attorney while also establishing himself as a published author.