Pick the Brain of an Expert: The Lynne S. Dumas Mentoring Program

You must be registered for the Saturday conference to register for a mentor session. Cost per session is $30.

Can't break into the magazine market? Need help making a query sing? Want to know the steps toward getting a non-fiction book published? If you need career advice and don't know where to turn or simply want a chance to sit down with a professional writer who can answer your questions, sign up for the personal mentor program. For just $30, you'll receive 30 minutes of face-to-face guidance from a professional ASJA writer on the non-fiction topic of your choosing. You must register by April 8, 2005 and space is limited, so reserve your place today!

Read on for the answers to some frequently asked questions about this program:

Who will mentor me?

Mentors are all ASJA members who have years of professional writing experience with either magazine articles or non-fiction books. We'll do our best to match you with a member who has personal experience in the area you want to know about. If we can't find someone who matches exactly what you want, we'll get you someone who's as close as possible.

When do the mentoring sessions run?

Most mentoring sessions run concurrently with the panels on Saturday. (Note your time preference for a mentoring session on your registration form.) While you may have to miss a panel to attend your session, we're sure that the personalized attention you'll receive will be well worth it. (You can also order a tape of any sessions you were unable to attend at or after the conference itself details about ordering them can be found in your conference packet.)

What can I ask my mentor?

Just about anything. It's a good idea to write out a list of questions to cover ahead of time. If you want to bring something short that can be read in five to ten minutes, feel free. Just keep in mind that you only have 30 minutes to meet with your mentor. Also keep in mind that ASJA members focus on non-fiction writing, so they can't really mentor folks on writing fiction.

When will I find out when my mentoring session is?

You should receive an email with the time of the session about a week before the conference. If you don't receive a session time before the conference, stop by the mentoring table Saturday morning after you register. If you must change your mentoring time, please let us know before Saturday so that you can be accommodated.

What if I have other questions?

Contact the ASJA office at 212/997-0947 or staff_@_asja.org. Or e-mail Leah Ingram, chair of the mentoring program, at mentoring_@_asja.org with "ASJA Mentoring" in the subject line.

Need more proof that mentoring is well worth the time and money?

Read on for some testimonials from past participants:

"I participated in the mentor program 3 years ago at my first ASJA conference. At the time, I was trying to break into women's magazines with a background in business reporting. My ASJA mentor really helped me to figure out a game plan for success. Since that time, I've written for nearly every major national women's magazine, including Family Circle, Women's Day, Good Housekeeping, Ladies' Home Journal and I do credit my ASJA mentor for helping me reach my goals."

"Having a more-successful writer to myself for thirty minutes of personal advice was an outstanding experience. What a wonderful idea."

"The mentoring session was honestly the highlight of the ASJA conference. ASJA truly listened to my needs, wants and desires and set me up with someone I've admired from afar for years. So it's no exaggeration to say it was a dream come true to sit one-on-one and talk woman to woman, writer to writer, mom to mom about her struggles as a writer -- and get very real suggestions from her on how to reach my own goals. It was worth the price of admission!"

"In a half-hour session my mentor provided a much-needed reality check, advice, direction and inspiration. For me, it was one of the most valuable parts of attending the ASJA conference."