Conference Co-Chairs Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt and Salley Shannon, along with members of the Conference Committee, have put together a fabulous slate of programs and events that promise fresh ideas and new business strategies for both first-time and repeat Conference attendees.

"Every session of the 2008 Conference is aiming at the intermediate level, so mid-career writers should get loads of great take-away tips from every session," says Bell-Rehwoldt. "I think every panel is super, but I am excited that we've added panels I've never seen offered before."

Attendees will also see some format changes this year. "Don't expect all panels to be the same length," says Shannon. "Some subjects get fast hits in just over an hour. Others are spread over two hours or longer. We hope this will give time for more panelist-listener back-and-forth."

Among the new panels is Pitching Hollywood: Turn Your Story Into a Movie. Moderated by freelance-writer-turned-attorney Sallie Randolph, this panel includes experts such as P.F. Kluge, author of the novel Eddie and The Cruisers and an article that was turned into the movie Dog Day Afternoon with Al Pacino, David Hale Smith, founder and president of DHS Literary, Inc., which sells film, foreign and all subsidiary rights for authors, F. Robert Stein, an entertainment attorney, and Christina DeHaven, an independent producer and adjunct faculty member at NYU's film school. The panel will focus on "demystifying" the process that takes a book or article from the page to the big screen.

Of course, once your story hits Hollywood, you'll surely be in media demand yourself. Lights, Camera, Action: Get Ready for Famewill focus on preparing you for radio and television interviews. Moderator John Rosengren, author and ASJA member, and panelists Joyce Newman, a media coach from The Newman Group, Inc., Bill Diehl, a producer for ABC News Radio and Maryn McKenna, author and ASJA member, will offer strategies for putting your best face (and voice) forward during interviews. Tips such as how to dramatize your point with anecdotes, how to write a script for yourself and how to stay alert to news about your topic will help you learn to make the most of any media opportunity.

Also new, says Bell-Rehwoldt, is a panel called Full-Time Income with Part-Time Hours. Moderated by ASJA Member Gretchen Roberts, a food, home, garden and lifestyle writer and mom to two girls, this panel will focus on maximizing your income in less time. Panelists, which include ASJA Members Sharon Anne Waldrop, Meagan Francis and Mary Dixon Lebeau, will discuss strategies for making the most of a less-than-40-hour work week, such as creating a "juggling" schedule, defining success on your own terms and learning to say "no" to people, as well as practical tips such as breaking projects into workable pieces, taking advantage of time zones, specializing and saying "no" to low-paying gigs.

Other notable panels scheduled this year include Magazine Trends: Don't Be Left Without a Market (Members' Day). Moderated by ASJA Member Greg Breining, this panel will look at changes affecting the magazine market, such as competition from the Internet, the use of shorter pieces and tightly-formatted editorial sections, and the growth of competing sources of information. Panelists include Meg Weaver, founder of the Wooden Horse Magazines Database, Ava Seave, founder and principal of Quantum Media, Tony Silber, editor and publisher of Folio Magazine, and Dan Drollette, Jr., an ASJA member who writes about science, technology, nature and wildlife for a variety of magazines.

Also scheduled for Members' Day is a panel called Get & Keep Corporate Clients, during which an experienced group of freelance copywriters will tackle the challenges of finding and maintaining corporate clients of all types. Strategies covered will include prospecting for new clients, marketing yourself and your services, holding successful meetings, negotiating contracts and rates, and avoiding burnout. The panel will be moderated by Suzanne Wright of Writesquared, Inc.—Writing That Works!, who has worked with clients such as Cisco Systems, NASCAR, Kelloggs and American Express. Panelists will include Steve Slaunwhite, author of The Everything Guide to Writing Copy, Susan B. Weiner of InvestmentWriting.com, and Paul D. Kretkowski, an analyst, researcher and writer focusing on foreign policy and national security. Attendees will learn tips such as how to highlight their relevant experience, how to ask the right questions of potential clients, how to negotiate timelines and how to handle "clients from hell."

One of the Conference's most popular features, Personal Pitch, returns this year with a few tweaks. Chaired by Sandra Lamb and JoBeth McDaniel, Personal Pitch will be trying out a "speed date" technique, says Shannon, resulting in more time slots available with more editors. Numerous "pitch panels" held on both Friday and Saturday will also offer attendees plenty of opportunities to hear editors comment on pitch ideas, says Bell-Rehwoldt.

"Hats off to Sandy Lamb, who decided to head up Personal Pitch," Bell-Rehwoldt says, adding that Lamb has done an amazing job organizing Personal Pitch. She's also added some new features, including "Inside the Magazine," offering an in-depth understanding of a magazine's editorial outlook. The line-up of magazines isn't yet complete, Shannon says, but editors from The New York Times Magazine, Wired and Reader's Digest have already committed to "Inside the Magazine."

Bell-Rehwoldt says that her co-chair has been a "dream" to work with. "I'd also like members to be aware of how hard the Conference Committee has worked to produce interesting and informative sessions," she says.

For more information about this year's Conference, visit www.ASJAConference.org. See you in April!