ASJA Tip Sheet
June 15, 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.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.org/memdb/search.php.
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LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINING
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LEAD: A SUMMER ETIQUETTE REFRESHER
What: As the summer weather heats up across the country, so can tempers when you're trying to enjoy an outdoor activity and someone else is wrecking it for you by yakking too loudly on a cell phone or letting their kids run wild at the neighborhood pool. Leah Ingram, The Manners Mom, can help everyone behave this summer. She is a certified etiquette and protocol consultant and a manners expert. She says it's only polite to keep your music to yourself, your kids in line and sand off your neighbor's blanket. Contact: Leah Ingram, 215-862-8256, leah.ingram@comcast.net, www.mannersmom.com.
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FOOD AND TRAVEL
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LEAD: THE "OTHER" JERSEY SHORE
What: More than sand and surf, the Jersey Shore has a lot of favorite places along its 127 miles of coastline that locals love. Bluegrass musicians recorded by the Smithsonian, the only miniature replica of Versailles outside of France, miles of new bicycle trails, four different architectural styles for lighthouses, a blossoming Equity theater scene, one nudist beach, foreign cuisine to complement the traditional seafood, and doo wop motels in which to sleep. Want to know more? Talk to Helen Pike, award-winning author of Greetings From New Jersey: A Postcard Tour of the Garden State. Contact: Helen Pike, 908-489-1830, helenpike@comcast.net.
LEAD: MEAT AND POTATOES ARE INCREASINGLY GIVING WAY TO BEETS AND TOMATOES
What: The Vegetarian Resource Group estimates 30 percent of the U.S. population buys vegetarian products, meaning they're eating a vegetarian diet at least some of the time. Margaret Littman, author of the new VegOut Vegetarian Guide to Chicago, can talk about this trend as well as how and why chefs who are used to serving steaks are adding more soy and seitan to their menus: just salads doesn't cut it anymore. Littman can also help vegetarians and carnivores find restaurants that serve something that can satisfy them both. Contact: Margaret Littman, 773-267-4331, margaret@littmanwrites.com, www.littmanwrites.com.
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BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURS
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LEAD: ONLINE T-SHIRT SHOPS ARE BIG BUSINESS
What: From bloggers to momtrepreneurs, design types are making big money selling customized T-shirts online. Jenny B. Davis can speak to this trend: Since January, she's earned $8,000+ selling foodie-themed baby clothes through her online business, Ellie's Party! Gear for Growing Gourmands. She draws inspiration from her kids, 25 months and 10 months, and her love of food, wine and restaurants. She can speak to online T-shirt sales, the work-family juggling act, do-it-yourself PR, or the clothes themselves. Contact: Jenny B. Davis, 312-988-6713, jbdchicago@hotmail.com, www.elliesparty.com.
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MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
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LEAD: HOW TEENS CAN GET THEIR WRITING PUBLISHED
What: Your Name in Print: A Teen's Guide to Getting Published for Fun, Profit and Academic Success is a new book by the father-daughter team of Timothy Harper and Elizabeth Harper. He's an author (12 books), Columbia University writing instructor, and editorial/publishing consultant. Lizzie, 19, has dozens of published credits, including in The New York Times. This book is full of practical, how-to advice for teens, but is also aimed at parents and teachers who want to help kids get into print. Contact: Tim Harper, harpertim@aol.com or Lizzie Harper, elizabeth.harper@oberlin.edu.
LEAD: GOOD NEWS ABOUT REJECTION
What: "Rejexpert" Cathy Wald interviewed 23 famous writers for her new book, The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph from 23 Top Authors, and she has much to teach about coping with this devastating experience. Her five-step plan for handling rejection can help people from all walks of life overcome let-downs, turn-downs and put-downs of all kinds. Rejection is a part of life – we may as well learn to deal with it! Contact: Cathy Wald, 914-528-3309, cathy@rejectioncollection.com, www.rejectioncollection.com.
LEAD: ARE YOU WRITING YOUR BOOK BACKWARDS?
What: According to a survey from the Jenkins Group, Inc., a Michigan publishing service firm, 81 percent of Americans feel they should write a book. More than 6 million Americans have actually written a manuscript. Yet most of them are doomed. More than 80 percent of all nonfiction books are sold from a book proposal – not a manuscript. Acquisitions editor W. Terry Whalin guides would be authors toward the elusive book contract. Whalin's Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success is a new resource. Contact: W. Terry Whalin, 480-575-8622, terry@terrywhalin.com, http://www.bookproposals.ws.
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, 914-738-1072, prez@asja.org.
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.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, execdir@asja.org.
