The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), the leading professional organization of independent nonfiction writers, announced that longtime ASJA member, Estelle Erasmus, has been appointed conference chair for the 2017 ASJA Conference, May 5-6 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The theme of the conference is Pivot. Publish. Prosper.
Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, writing coach and former magazine editor-in-chief at Hachette’s Body by Jake, The American Breast Cancer Guide, Women in Touch and more. She was also a top editor at American Woman and a beauty editor at Woman’s World magazine, which have a combined reach of over 10 million readers. She is a member of the American Society of Magazine Editors and has been a member of ASJA since 1997.
“We are pleased that Estelle, an established writer and editor, has accepted the challenge of leading ASJA’s annual conference,” says Sherry Beck Paprocki, ASJA president. “Estelle’s astute knowledge about today’s media will certainly pay off for writers, editors and others who choose to participate.”
“Nonfiction writers today know that to be successful, it is necessary to be flexible and pivot into new areas, like digital and content marketing, while continuing to be published in books, magazines and other venues,” said Erasmus. “This conference will offer means for increasing income, so ASJA members, (old, new and future) can prosper.”
“With the support of the ASJA Board, I’m honored to have the opportunity to bring editors, keynote speakers, content providers and literary agents together to provide education, networking and growth for both seasoned ASJA members and budding journalists and authors,” said Erasmus.
Erasmus is a former adjunct professor at New York University (NYU) and a co-author of the best-selling beauty book, Beautiful Skin: Every Woman’s Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age. She has contributed to several anthologies, including the ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing.
She has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Next Avenue/PBS, Forbes, Vice, Vox, Salon, Parenting.com, Newsweek, Redbook, Yahoo! The Freelancer, Brain, Child, the Washington Post, Psychology Today, Your Teen and more, and has appeared on Good Day New York, Fox News, and America’s Talking.
“We will be announcing our call for sessions shortly, and will be putting a particular focus on diversity, workshops, and service-based panels this year,” said Erasmus.
For more information on the conference, visit www.asja.org.
About ASJA
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation’s leading professional organization of independent nonfiction writers. ASJA’s membership consists of more than 1,100 outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing, each of whom has met ASJA’s exacting standards of professional achievement. ASJA offers extensive benefits and services focusing on professional development, including regular confidential market information, meetings with editors and others in the field, an exclusive referral service, seminars and workshops, discount services and, above all, the opportunity for members to explore professional issues and concerns with their peers. ASJA is a primary voice in representing freelancers’ interests, serving as spokesman for their right to control and profit from uses of their work in the new media and otherwise Visit www.asja.org for more details.
