ASJA Tip Sheet
October 11, 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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HALLOWEEN
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LEAD: BEWITCHING FACTS FOR HALLOWEEN
What: Why are witches women? Why do they ride broomsticks? Why do they keep black cats? Author Pauline Bartel shares some "bewitching" facts about the origins of ancient yet still popular beliefs about witches and witchcraft from her book, Spellcasters: Witches and Witchcraft in History, Folklore, and Popular Culture. The book taps historical resources, contemporary scholars, and modern-day practitioners to create a complete and compelling account of witchcraft's long history and deep mystery. Contact: Pauline Bartel, pbartel@paulinebartel.com,www.paulinebartel.com at (518) 237-1353.
LEAD: ANIMAL GHOSTS ARE A POPULAR SUBJECT EVERY OCTOBER
What: The Soul of Your Pet: Evidence for the Survival of Animals After Death is a perennial online bestseller that analyzes 125 convincing cases of dogs, cats, horses and birds which came back from the dead. Contact: Scott Smith, sssmith2@adelphia.net, 310-659-4180.
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WEDDINGS
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LEAD: MUCH ADO ABOUT WHO SAYS "I DO"
What: Edith Gilbert's articles in the August, September and October issues of America's Bride Wedding Magazine offer valuable tips for brides and grooms on how to choose attendants, invite co-workers to the wedding, and address in-laws. Contact: Edith Gilbert, egilbert@freeway.net, 231-547-6443, www.edithgilbert.com.
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS
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LEAD: SENSORY INTEGRATION DYSFUNCTION AFFECTS ONE CHILD IN EVERY CLASSROOM
What: Long thought to affect only autistic children, or mistaken for ADHD, sensory integration dysfunction is finally being recognized as a separate condition. These children are labeled picky, clumsy, oversensitive, hyperactive, spacey and odd. Nancy Peske, the parent of a child who was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction at age two, and Lindsey Biel, a pediatric occupational therapist, can discuss what is happening with these children and how to help them at home and at school. Contact: Nancy Peske, Nakape@aol.com, 414-763-7094 or Lindsey Biel, Lindsey@sensorysmarts.com, www.sensorysmarts.com.
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BUSINESS AND BOOKS
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LEAD: LOW COST MARKETING TIPS FOR SHAMELESS PROMOTION MONTH
What: Marisa D'Vari, Manhattan-based author of Building Buzz, offers these tips for getting newspapers, magazines, radio and TV shows buzzing about your business: 1.Choose networking events by brainstorming people you need to meet. 2. Create short, snappy "juicy bites of sound" to introduce yourself at events. 3. Send introductory letters or e-mails to journalists offering yourself as a source. Contact: Marisa D'Vari, mdvari@deg.com, 917-273-4668, www.BuildingBuzz.com.
LEAD: START YOUR BUSINESS ACCORDING TO PLAN
What: Thinking about starting a business? A good business plan can mean the difference between success and failure. Learn how to structure your plan to get financing, improve operations, or even sell your business in the new book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans by Gwen Moran and Sue Johnson. Contact: Gwen Moran, gwen@gwenmoran.com, 732-280-7047, www.gwenmoran.com.
LEAD: TURN YOUR POEMS INTO CHILDREN'S BOOKS
What: How to Turn Poems, Lyrics, & Folklore into Salable Children's Books: Using Humor or Proverbs offers practical tips and samples on how to turn your poems, songs, proverbs, letters or diaries into salable children's books. Contact: Anne Hart, a18@pacbell.net, www.newswriting.net.
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TRAVEL
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LEAD: SNOWSHOEING: A HOT SPORT FOR COLD WEATHER
What: Snowshoeing is North America's fastest-growing winter sport. It is easy to learn and easy on the budget. Claire Walter, award-winning author of The Snowshoeing Experience and Snowshoeing Colorado, offers tips, valuable insights and quotes for feature writers, columnists or broadcast interviewers. Her books are suitable holiday gift guide selections. Contact: Claire Walter, cmwalter@claire-walter.com, 303-442-7709, www.claire-walter.com.
LEAD: FINDING A SENSE OF PLACE AND CULTURE IN HAWAII
What: With current international-travel challenges, Hawaii is a favorite destination this winter. Visitors seek more than sun: 12-foot statues expertly carved, sacred mana, multiethnic diversity, a taste of the 1950s with Denny and Duke, cowboys with a legacy, hula dance, a local-ingredient cuisine that celebrates this farmers' land, the best beds. Hawaii expert Sophia V. Schweitzer, award-winning author of Tiki of Hawaii: A History of Gods and Dreams, guides you to a Hawaii experience far more profound than anything bought in a souvenir shop. Contact: Sophia V. Schweitzer, schweitzer_order@mac.com, 808-889-5435, www.sophiavschweitzer.com
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VETERANS
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LEAD: PROBLEMS LINK VETERANS FROM VIETNAM TO IRAQ
What: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell's assumptions that the V.A. was helping her Vietnam veteran brother, Steve, proved false when his body was found in an alley. In her mission to find out what went wrong and to learn why her family was never notified of his death, she discovered that Steve's story mirrors those of some veterans returning from Iraq. Her just-released book, No Immediate Threat, chronicles Steve's life after the Vietnam War and parallels some of his experiences with those in veterans returning from Iraq. Contact: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell, fivecoat@kcnet.com, 913-362-3860, www.writeforyou.biz.
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FAMILY ISSUES
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LEAD: CARING FOR YOUR AGING PARENTS
What: Raeann Berman's book, Caring for Your Aging Parents, covers adult children's guilt and anxiety, methods of helping parents enjoy life as they age, what to do about Dad who keeps having auto accidents, when to take over certain responsibilities, and how to do it with love and common sense. Contact: Raeann Berman, raeannberman@aol.com, 847-433-4149.
LEAD: STAND BY YOUR FRIENDS DURING DIFFICULT TIMES
What: We can't escape it – loss and difficult experiences touch our lives every day. Illness, death, divorce, job loss, miscarriage, accidents and crime are some of the trials we face. We want to support those we care about to help them cope and recover yet we often find ourselves at a loss for words. Robbie Miller Kaplan, author of How To Say It When You Don't Know What To Say: The Right Words for Difficult Times, will provide insight into grief and loss along with specific suggestions on what to say and do to be supportive in challenging times. Contact: Robbie Miller Kaplan, rkaplan@ix.netcom.com, 703-255-3388, www.wordsthatcomfort.com.
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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.
