American Society of Journalists and Authors

Calendar

April 29-May 1, 2011

40th Annual ASJA Conference
New York, NY
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From the President's Desk

Pokens, Peter Shankman, and Feeling Chipper Again -- At Last!

By Salley Shannon

Our recent writer's conference in New York was tweeted and Facebooked all over cyberspace for the first time this year. (Thanks, real-time tweeters!)

ASJA's annual event for writers is one of the oldest on the East Coast. At our 2009 conference, there was a palpable sense of anxiety among us. This year, although times still are toughish, many people commented that the mood was brighter. I agree. Conference offerings, which included beginning writer, intermediate, advanced, and a new "tech" track, were spectacular. Thanks, volunteer cast of hundreds, including most notably Gina Roberts-Grey, David Budin, and Beverly Harzog.

Writers are finding work. We are feeling hopeful. The theme that best characterized the conference, for me, was advice from keynoter Peter Shankman. "Plan for success!" Shankman (@skydiver) told us.

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The American Society of Journalists and Authors, the professional association of independent nonfiction writers, helps freelance writers advance their careers. Members share candid data on writing rates, publishing contracts, editors, agents and more. Non-members benefit from our annual writers conference and mentoring. Editors and others can search our membership to hire experienced authors and journalists. Learn more.

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The Society Page: July/August 2010 extracted from the ASJA Monthly Newsletter, and rotating daily:

New member Judith Siegel has a new book out called Stop Overreacting (New Harbinger Press). Based on neuro-imaging and clinical research, the book describes what happens before and during emotional dysregulation, as well as ways to interrupt the cycle. It discusses triggers such as criticism, rejection and envy and is consumer-friendly and applicable to work as well as family.

Featured this week:
Christopher P. Baker keeps us up-to-date with travel in Cuba and Costa Rica on his Moon Travel Guides blog. Specializing in the Caribbean and Central America, Christopher has written more than 20 guidebooks for Fodor's, Lonely Planet and National Geographic. He is currently writing National Geographic Traveler Colombia. His latest iPhone app, 'Costa Rica... Pura Vida!', has just been released. See his website at http://www.christopherbaker.com and read the blog at: http://www.moon.com/blogs/cuba-costa-rica

Also check out our daily featured members' social media:
Susan Manlin Katzman has worked as a newspaper columnist/cookbook author/ food-industry spokesperson/cooking teacher/restaurant consultant/grocery advisor/menu designer/recipe creator/event organizer and professional food contest judge (love the last). "Now, I focus mainly on food and travel writing, not that I like to broadcast this as it is undoubtedly the best job in the world and I don't want to encourage more competition..." See the blog at: http://www.sweetleisure.com/

Dr. Kathleen P. King is a professor of education at Fordham University's Graduate School of Education in New York City. King is an award winning author of 17 books and 145+ articles and is editor of several book series with Information Age Publishing. Dr. King founded and continues as editor in chief of Perspectives: The New York Journal of Adult Learning. See the blog at: http://transformationed.com

Sheila Callahan is a freelance writer for national magazines and newspapers. Jersey born and raised, did 25 years in NYC now released to Warsaw. She tweets from Poland. Visit the web site at: http://twitter.com/sheilabcal

As a national magazine editor, Natalie Canavor created four successful start-ups of monthly magazines for business and professional audiences, and subsequently edited and wrote for newsstand magazines. Her journalism credits include numerous features for the New York Times, Newsday, and a variety of regional, business, professional and trade publications. Now a partner in C&M, she helps business owners market themselves. See the web site at: http://www.C-MBizwriting.com/index.html

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