2026 ASJA Conference Journalism Sessions Offer Practicality - and Inspiration

The journalism track for ASJA’s 2026 virtual annual conference April 20-24 is shaping up to be pretty amazing. The theme for the 2026 event, “Freelancers’ Blueprint: Navigating a Shifting Landscape,” couldn’t be more fitting. I’m in California, where shifting landscapes are a way of life, so trust me when I say: you’re in good hands.

Registration for the conference is open now for ASJA members, with a members-only extra early bird rate of $199 through Dec. 15. Registration opens for nonmembers on Dec. 16. The conference begins each day at 11 a.m. Eastern time with keynote speakers. Sessions on journalism, nonfiction book, and content writing run from 12:30 to 5:05 p.m. ET, and each day wraps up with a special event. Get information about rates, Client Connections 2026, and other details and sign up here.

2026 ASJA Conference Journalism Sessions

Here’s a peek at what we have planned for the journalism sessions at the conference:

Monday, April 20

We’ll ease in with Home, Garden and Food Writing. Yes, you can still get paid to write about these delightfully fun topics. Our panel of successful freelancers – including UK-based home writer Olivia Lidbury and prolific garden writer Mary-Kate Mackey — and editors will break down what’s selling, how to pitch effectively, and how to distinguish your voice in these evergreen niches.

Next, we’ll level up your reporting know-how with The Journalist’s Toolkit. Whether you’ve been doing this work for 30 years or three months, everyone needs updated insights on building editor relationships, ethical use of AI, sourcing strategies, and the best new tools for recording, transcribing, and more. A New York Times photo editor will even offer some practical photo tips for the non-photographers among us.

Have you noticed menopause is everywhere lately? Or does it feel like yesterday’s headline? Either way, award-winner health journalist and editor Beth Howard will moderate a Writing About Menopause panel, which will unpack the latest science, the timeliness of the topic (or not), the health-equity dimension, and how to approach this coverage with nuance. (Note: On Wednesday, we’ll offer a male-focused session as a counterpart.)

We’ll round out Monday with Launch and Grow a Local News Operation. News innovators like Rob Golub, editor and founder, SuccessfulJournalism.com, will share how they built thriving community outlets — and just might have you walking away inspired to start your own.

Tuesday, April 21

We kick off the day with craft: Finding Your Story’s Structure & The Braided Essay, an ASJA member–requested session featuring the amazing Erika Hayasaki (who writes on Substack at The Reported Essay), UK journo Mike Sowden, as well as other standout writers and editors. If you love narrative or want to expand your repertoire, don’t miss it.

Then we get a little rebellious with Build Your Career Without Social Media. Is it possible? Absolutely — and our countercultural pros like journalist and author Rebecca Morrison, writer Darien Gee, literary advocate Tonya Todd, and publishing insider Jane Friedman will walk you through how they’re doing it.

Next up: Global Voices, Local Stories. International journalist and global affairs specialist Beatrice De Salles and crew will discuss how to tell globally resonant stories that honor the communities at the heart of them — because ASJA may be “American” by name, but our work knows no borders.

Wednesday, April 22

Join us for Men’s Health and Lifestyle, featuring InsideHook’s Kirk Miller, Playboy’s Magdalene Taylor, and others actively looking for pitches.

Freelancing can feel tough, but it’s also a chance to build something that’s entirely your own. Journalist and Institute for Independent Journalists (IIJ) editorial director Ann Marie Awad will moderate Creating Entrepreneurship Systems That Work for You  with IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis, journalist Clayton Gutzmore, and ASJA member and Columbia University lecturer Olga Lucia Torres. This panel will help you think like a founder — whether your goals include new clients, new ventures, or simply a more sustainable workflow.

We’ll also recognize the 2025 ASJA Awards recipients and wrap the journalism track sessions with our always-popular Pitch Slam, where you can pitch your story ideas live and get real-time editorial feedback. New to ASJA pitch slams? Stay tuned for more details on how the process works and what you need to do. In the meantime, read tips that former ASJA President Laura Laing shared to help people prepare for the pitch slam at the 2019 annual conference here.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, new skills, or a sense of community, we hope you’ll join us — all from the comfort of your own home.

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Victoria Clayton is a Southern California journalist and writer whose work has appeared in The Guardian US, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many other publications. She’s a 2025 USC Center for Health Journalism National Fellow, and has had her work  supported by the journalism nonprofit The Economic Hardship Reporting Project. She has a master’s degree from the Missouri School of Journalism.