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September 2005

ASJA University

Would you go to a physician who fails to keep up on what's new in medicine? Could you justify placing your tax return in the hands of a CPA who pays no attention to new tax regulations? Would an attorney oblivious to changes in the law attract you as a client? Of course not, which is part of the reason why the medical, accounting and legal professions require their members to periodically update their knowledge and hone their abilities through continuing education.

American journalists and nonfiction writers have no such requirements -- which fortunately keeps the press open to anyone and free from restrictive regulations. But the freedom to write is not a license to remain ignorant of new developments in the techniques and craft of our profession. If you choose not to keep learning, your clients -- whether they are magazine or Web editors, book publishers or business customers -- would not be happy to find out. And the quality of your writing will suffer.

Many ASJA members, including me, have never received any formal training as writers. Others have degrees in journalism, creative writing, communications, public relations or other fields. Regardless of your academic credentials, ASJA can keep you well educated as a writer in a variety of ways. Think of our organization as ASJA University. Some of our educational services are well known; others are less so. I'd like to remind you of a few of them.

journalismtraining.org

Few ASJA members know that we belong to a consortium called the Council of National Journalism Organizations, which has assembled a valuable Web site that can direct you to journalism training opportunities in your area. Whether you want to improve your writing, investigate resources for your area of specialization or learn the skills of writers in other specialties, you will find what you need at journalismtraining.org. Hundreds of classes and seminars from scores of recognized organizations are a mouse click away. You can search by topic, date or location; alternatively, you can use the advanced search feature to create a more specific search. This is an excellent educational resource that I intend to visit frequently.

ASJA's annual conference

As you read this, the planning committee for the 2006 conference (April 28-30 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City) is working at full throttle. Many members tend to think of the conference as a networking event, but it's equally valuable for its educational content. If you have never before attended the conference, or if it has been a while since you last took part, please give serious consideration to registering for next year's gathering. Past conferences have included panels and workshops on conducting interviews, writing essays, assembling book proposals, crafting narrative nonfiction stories and many other topics of interest to many of us. Although it is still too early to register, it's not too soon to reserve a hotel room and make other travel plans. (And if you cannot attend the conference, or if you want to learn from the panels of past conferences, the available audiotapes and CDs can enable you to learn while you walk, exercise or drive.)

ASJA's meetings

The organization's meetings throughout the year in New York and elsewhere cover topics similar to those of the panels at the annual conference.

ASJA's archives of successful magazine queries and book proposals

Our library of magazine article proposals that have snagged assignments now includes dozens of examples -- and offers a crash course in persuasive penmanship. Likewise, our online collections of book proposals gather in one place a wide variety of samples available for your study. If you find yourself out of ideas and inspiration for your next article or book proposal, take a look at a few of these examples, generously donated by your fellow ASJA members, for an appreciation of the techniques of some of the best in the business. You'll find the queries at www.asja.org/members/qp/qptitle.php and the book proposals at www.asja.org/members/qp/books/index.php. What works? What's innovative? Study them and decide.

We all need periodic updating of our skills and knowledge, and ASJA -- among all of its other benefits and resources -- can be a valuable center for your continuing education. All you have to do is take advantage of what's there.

JACK EL-HAI of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is president of ASJA. E-mail the president through www.asja.org/contact.php.