ASJA.org: How to Join ASJA [2008/11/20]

How To Join ASJA

Freelance writers make a living through a variety of work but not all of that work qualifies for ASJA membership. We look for sustained evidence that you have written, on a freelance basis, full-length bylined magazine or newspaper articles in major publications published over a substantial period of time, or have had non-fiction books published by established publishers, or other equivalent freelance activity, as described below. Many writers submit a mix of credits, such as a book, a book chapter, several articles, and an Internet piece. Qualified materials must be written in English.

ARTICLES

The Committee looks for a minimum of six full-length, by-lined articles written on a freelance basis (typically 1000 or more words in length). If you submit shorter articles, you should send a greater number. Also, the membership committee prefers to see clips from a variety of publications, rather than all clips from the same publication.

Your articles should be primarily from major publications. These may include national consumer magazines (e.g. Smithsonian, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Family Fun), major business magazines and newspapers (e.g. Inc., The Wall Street Journal, Bottom Line Personal), major regional magazines and newspapers (e.g. New York Magazine, Chicago, the Los Angeles Times) and major trade magazines (Advertising Age, Editor and Publisher, Computer World, Industry Week, Fortune Small Business) as well as other substantial publications, including health (Men's Health, Self, Health), environment (Nature Conservancy, Audubon) and inflight magazines (American Way, Continental, Southwest Spirit).

If you are enclosing clips from a trade magazine or from a magazine that is unlikely to be found on a big newsstand, please give a brief description of the publication, including publisher, circulation, readership and content.

If you have any questions about whether a magazine will qualify, we encourage you to ask. Because major publications may occasionally hold articles for future publication, the committee will consider, in lieu of some clips, letters of acceptance for articles that are still in a major magazine's "inventory."

BOOKS

If you write books, you may qualify if you have written two or more non-fiction books, or if you have written one non-fiction book and have a signed contract with a publisher to write a second. Book chapters are considered roughly equivalent to long articles.

If the publisher of your book is a small press or not widely known, please include information such as the kind of books they publish, the number of titles published each year, and their website or contact information. Self-published books do not qualify for ASJA membership.

OTHER QUALIFYING MATERIAL

Non-fiction freelanced TV, film and radio scripts (e.g. The History Channel, NPR), and articles for major Internet magazines (e.g. Slate, Salon) also count toward ASJA membership qualifications.

WHAT KINDS OF WORK DO NOT COUNT TOWARD ASJA MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS?

The following types of writings do not count toward qualifications for ASJA membership:

fiction or poetry
work written while on staff
work from non-paying markets
non-bylined magazine and newspaper articles
work from markets that direct writers to use their advertisers as sources
work from small regional publications
work from small special-interest publications
textbooks
self-published, or subsidy-published books and materials
PR, advertising, or other writings for corporations, or articles published in trade magazines but paid for, in whole or in part, by the subject(s) of the article.

A NOTE ON WRITING TEAMS

Two individuals who write as a team as evidenced by a consistent (but not necessarily exclusive) dual byline may submit a single application, with a single fee. If accepted, the team will be treated in all respects as a single entity.

HOW TO APPLY

You may apply in either of two ways: online or on paper (but paper also REQUIRES the creation of an online application account).

TO APPLY ONLINE

The online application should only be used if all clips and other documentation you're submitting can be viewed online. This would mean URLs to clips or book chapters (in html or pdf format) on your own site or the publisher's site. Otherwise, you should apply on paper.

To apply online, you will need to create a username and password. Go to http://www.asja.org/join/online.php to begin the process. You can start the application and return as many times as you need to add more information. Once you are satisfied the application is complete, you submit the online application and pay the $50.00 application fee by credit card using our secure form. If you are accepted, there is then a one-time $75 initiation fee.

TO APPLY ON PAPER

The application consists of four parts:

You MUST create an online application account. Paper applications without a corresponding online account will not be considered and no notice of non-consideration will be provided.
After you have created your corresponding online application record, you will find a link to a page that you MUST print out and include with the paper work that you submit. This cover page will provide the link between your paper-based material and the online application system that is used by the Membership Committee and the office. The cover sheet is mandatory. All paper-based applications without the cover sheet will not be accepted.
$50.00 nonrefundable application fee. Make the check payable to "ASJA." If you are accepted, there is then a one-time $75 initiation fee.
Application form. Download the form, fill out, and print the pages. Right click to download in WordPerfect format or Word format
One photocopy of each of your articles. Please do not send originals.
A cover page listing all articles enclosed, the names and dates of the publications in which they appeared in alphabetical order, and their word counts. If you are submitting books, please include title and copyright pages for each of your books. Do not send copies of your published books. If you have a book under contract, please send the first page of your publisher's contract.
If all the work you are submitting was published more than five years ago, please include evidence that you are currently engaged in freelance writing.

WHERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Mail your complete application to:

Membership Application
ASJA
1501 Broadway, Suite 302
New York, NY 10036

Please note: Because every application receives thoughtful consideration by our Membership Committee, it may be up to 8 weeks before we contact you, although it doesn't usually take that long. Do feel free to contact the Executive Director to inquire about your application. We greatly appreciate your patience.

If you have questions or need further guidance on what types of materials to submit, please see our FAQ; if any questions remain, call the office at 212-997-0947 or send a message to the Executive Director through our contact page. Also, if you have not heard from us after 8 weeks, please call or email the office to find out the status of your application.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Annual membership dues are $195.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

If you have questions or need further guidance on what types of materials to submit, please see our FAQ; if any questions remain, call the office at 212-997-0947 or send a message to the Executive Director: director --at-- asja.org. Once your completed application is received, you can expect a decision within 6 to 8 weeks.