According to the polling firm Nielsen, Americans’ most common New Year’s resolutions include losing weight, getting into shape, saving money, and spending more time with friends and family. The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Annual Conference on May 5 and 6, 2017 in New York City can’t help people pursue these worthwhile personal aspirations, but it can help professional writers meet resolutions related to their careers.
ASJA is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious professional membership association for journalists, authors and independent nonfiction and literary nonfiction writers. It provides writers with numerous opportunities for professional development, networking and peer support; and editors and businesses with access to a pool of talented, ethical freelance authors.
ASJA’s 46th Annual Conference, called Pivot. Publish. Prosper., will bring together up to 500 of the top independent writers, speakers, agents, and magazine and book editors from North America.
“This conference will help anyone gain the tools necessary to be a success in today’s new publishing environment,” said ASJA President Sherry Beck Paprocki. “Attendees will hear from freelance writers who have accomplished amazing feats, including earning more than six figures a year; editors who are seeking fresh voices; and agents who understand the tenor of today’s book markets.”
“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 conference chair Estelle Erasmus. “This conference will offer means for increasing income, so ASJA members (old, new and future) can prosper.”
The conference can help writers:
**Sharpen their writing skills. Approximately 40 panels, workshops and keynotes given by big names such as Andrea King Collier, Lisa Sharkey, Lane Shefter Bishop, Jenny Blake and Vanessa Hua will provide writers with practical how-tos for improving their craft.
**Find new places to publish their work. Authors can pitch and connect with editors at magazines, websites and corporate publications, such as Parade, the Atlantic, Next Avenue/PBS, the Washington Post, Hearst, Pacific Standard, Dame, Brain, Child, Rolling Stone, Skyword, Contently and more. With these connections, they can sell specific stories or learn about opportunities for ongoing work.
**Secure an agent or publisher for their book. First-time or experienced authors can pitch book proposals to editors and agents at major and boutique publishing houses.
**Expand (or begin establishing) their professional networks. Writing can be a lonely job, especially as a growing number of journalists move from full-time employment to freelancing. An emphasis of the conference will be to help freelance writers develop relationships with peers and professionals to expand their network and enhance their support system.
Pivot. Publish. Prosper. will take place at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. It is open to members only on Friday, May 5. The event is open to the public on Saturday, May 6. Early bird registrations are being accepted through January 31, 2017. The cost for members is $249 per day or $399 for both days. The cost for non-members to attend on Saturday is $299. Register and get more information about the conference at http://asja.org/For-Writers/ASJA-Events.
Writers interested in attending both days are encouraged to apply now for membership. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis and sent to a peer review board for review and acceptance. Annual membership in ASJA is $235 (plus a one-time $25 application fee). Writers should have clips from several publications to share with the membership committee. Get more information about membership at http://asja.org/How-To-Join/Why-Join-ASJA.
