ASJA Tip Sheet
March 3, 2005
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
Looking for an expert or a great story idea? Let the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) monthly Tip Sheet help. Each month you will receive a complimentary e-mailed Tip Sheet that offers trends and other story ideas from nationally-recognized book authors and experts who are members of ASJA.
HOW TO USE THE TIP SHEET . . . .
Using the Tip Sheet is simple. Just take a look at the tips from the authors on this month's sheet. If you'd like to build a story around the ideas in the sheet, or think that one of the experts is right for a story you have in the works, contact the expert using the information provided. If you have any questions on the Tip Sheet, please contact Andrea Collier at tipsheet@asja-pr.org, 517-487-1683.
DON'T SEE THE EXPERT YOU NEED IN THIS MONTH'S TIP SHEET?
ASJA has a host of experts available as resources. If what you are looking for is not in the Tip Sheet, check out our member directory at http://www.asja-pr.org/memdb/search.php.
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
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LEAD: GIVE IN TO SPRING FEVER
What: Spring fever got you in its grip? An afternoon of playing hooky in the park may be just what your mind and body need. When it comes to counteracting the stresses and strains of modern life, research shows that the sights, sounds, and smells of nature have a particularly profound impact. The author of Stress Control for Peace of Mind (Sterling Publishing, March 2005) shares tips on de-stressing the natural way. Contact: Linda Wasmer Andrews, Linda@LindaAndrews.com, 505-922-8786, www.LindaAndrews.com.
LEAD: CRAFTS HAVE MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BENEFITS
What: March is National Crafts Month. Crafting is a multibillion-dollar business in America, and three-quarters of households contain hobbyists. But Nancy Monson, author of the new book, Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes (March 2005), says crafts aren't just a pleasant leisure pursuit: Researchers are finding they relieve stress as much as relaxation techniques. And crafters know their hobbies offer them psychological and spiritual benefits. The author can offer tips on how to harness the healing power of crafts. Contact: Nancy Monson, nancymonson@earthlink.net, 203-556-8698, www.nancymonson.com.
LEAD: TIRED OF BEING PERFECT?
What: Many of us feel great cultural pressure to conform to an idealized look, yet few have a "perfect" body - even in professional dance. In Finding Balance (Routledge, 2005), Gigi Berardi shares her passion for the arts and what it takes to follow a dream, rejecting perfectionist tendencies and working with limitations. She provides up-to-date information on injury treatment and health practices like Pilates. She relates stories of the most goal-oriented and persistent, who fall by the wayside only to reemerge triumphant, such as the young dancer who faced near-amputation of her foot and now dances again. Contact: Gigi Berardi, gigimberardi@msn.com, 360-650-3277.
LEAD: THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT WOMEN? PROVE IT!
What: For The Ladies' Room Reader Quiz Book (Conari Press, 2004), author Leslie Gilbert Elman spent months hunting down the most entertaining, amusing, outrageous and, yes, educational, facts about everyone's favorite gender. Was Laura Bush a cheerleader? Which talk show queen once held the title of Miss Fire Prevention? How did Frances Kelsey change pregnancy in the U.S.? Why is Emma Nutt Day celebrated on September 1? Talk to Leslie about excerpting quizzes or working these female facts into coverage for National Women's History Month (March), Mother's Day or any day. Contact: Leslie Gilbert Elman, leslie@lesliegilbertelman.com, 212-588-1320.
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BUSINESS
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LEAD: SMOKE AND MIRRORS IN THE WORLD OF FINANCE
What: Russell Wild, both a financial journalist and a fee-only financial planner, talks about Wall Street deceptions and how they can affect you the consumer. Learn how some mutual fund companies exaggerate their past performance, as well as how the financial press, eager to please advertisers and increase sales with sexy headlines, often delivers incorrect and harmful information. Contact: Russell Wild, Russell@Globalportfolios.net, 610-530-0078.
LEAD: PUBLICITY SECRETS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
What: An award-winning publicist and author of a how-to publicity book for small businesses says it's easier than most business owners think to get their names in the news regularly. Sandra Beckwith, author of Streetwise Complete Publicity Plans: How to Create Publicity That Will Spark Media Exposure and Excitement (Adams Media, 2003), shares low-cost publicity secrets and tips that will help small business owners generate the media exposure that gives companies credibility and increased awareness. Contact: Sandra Beckwith, sb@sandrabeckwith.com, 585-377-2768, www.sandrabeckwith.com.
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MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
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LEAD: THE MYTH OF THE STARVING WRITER
What: A recent poll of 1,100 freelance writers, all members of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, reveals that contrary to popular myth, not all freelance writers live on peanut butter sandwiches and canned beans. Forty-one percent of the writers reported an annual income in excess of $50,000, and nearly 12 percent reported annual incomes of over $100,000. Contact: ASJA President, Lisa Collier Cool at prez@asja-pr.org, (914) 738-1072.
LEAD: NEED A SPOKESPERSON ON PUBLISHING OR JOURNALISM TRENDS?
What: ASJA can help with expert comments on such issues as magazine launches and closings, print or electronic books, writing contracts, journalism ethics, First Amendment cases, censorship issues, and a wide range of other media-related topics. Contact: (Ms.) Brett Harvey, executive director, ASJA, execdir@asja-pr.org.
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS
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Founded in 1948, the American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation's leading organization of independent nonfiction writers. Our membership consists of more than 1,100 outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing, each of whom has met ASJA's exacting standards of professional achievement.
American Society of Journalists and Authors, 1501 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY 10036. Contact Executive Director (Ms.) Brett Harvey at execdir@asja-pr.org.
