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December 2003
A Great Year for ASJA
By Lisa Collier Cool
As ASJA nears the end of its 55th year, our organization remains young, vibrant, and totally committed to serving the needs of freelance writers. Although we haven't raised our dues, membership will be even more valuable in the months ahead, as we add new benefits and services, and revamp some of our current programs to make them even better. As always, we appreciate the generous members who volunteer their time to help turn our goals into reality. Here's a look at some of ASJA's achievements over the past 12 months:
- Publication of The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing, conceived by ASJA past president Florence Isaacs and edited by Tim Harper. The ASJA Guide, which received a rave review from Publishers Weekly, sold out its initial print run of 5,000 copies in the first month after publication, then went into a second printing. We now have a calendar of ASJA Guide events around the country on the Web site, so look to see what's happening in your area, or let Bruce Miller (webmaster@asja.org) know of any guide-related events in which you'll participate.
- The successful launch of our new online Phorum in the members-only section of our Web site. Whether you're desperately seeking sources for an article, want to know the inside scoop on a particular editor, need help pricing a writing project, or just feel like taking a quick break at our virtual Water Cooler, you'll find smart advice, support and camaraderie. Many of our members stop by several times a day, just to see the latest on the Phorum.
- Relaunch of the Writers Referral Service. A few months ago, Ann Monroe and the Writers Referral Committee (WRS) began the search for an experienced director to run WRS. Many applied. After evaluating the candidates, the committee found a superbly qualifed director/candidate with impressive marketing credentials, whose appointment was unanimously approved by ASJA's board. Full details about the new director and the relaunch will be announced shortly.
- Holding another all-time most successful writers' conferences. Once again, there was excellent turnout, a stellar line-up of speakers and lots of positive feedback about the 2003 gathering. And Bob Bittner and his committee are determined to extend our winning streak, as they put the finishing touches on all sorts of exciting plans for the 2004 conference, which will be described in upcoming newsletters.
- Database legal initiative. We're nearing a resolution of our long-running lawsuit against the online databases. We hope to have a major announcement about a settlement soon and are holding talks with the Authors Guild and NWU about creating a joint Web site to help writers everywhere collect money to which they're entitled under the settlement now being finalized.
- Launch of our redesigned, streamlined Web site. Our site now brims with helpful information, from the market updates in "Revolving Door" and the fascinating interviews in "Five Minutes With..." to the success secrets you'll pick up from studying the "Query of the Month." If you haven't visited the site lately, stop by and take a look. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the wealth of material at your fingertips.
- And in keeping with the gift-giving time of year, all of you have helped to make our new dues round-up option, benefitting the Writers Emergency Assistance Fund, a success. Pat Estess tells me that 95 percent of you have generously opened your wallet to give an extra $5—or in some cases, significantly more. A true reflection of the ASJA spirit, those contributions will definitely ease the burden for gifted writers who are battling adversity, illness, or an extraordinary professional crisis. Happy holidays to all!
LISA COLLIER COOL of Pelham, NY, is president of ASJA. E-mail
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