ASJA Members: Access the E-book, Building an Independent Writing Business

Working as a self-employed writer offers opportunity, flexibility, self-determination — and in an era of media industry instability and layoffs – financial security. Even in a time of AI and rapid change, writers are choosing to work for themselves. And ASJA is here to help.

ASJA’s latest member benefit is a free e-book, “Building an Independent Writing Business,” by Michelle Rafter, ASJA Publications Chair.

The e-book is a resource for:

• Independent writers who want to take their careers to the next level
• Established writers who are new to self-employment
• People for whom nonfiction writing is a second or third act

The 10,000 word e-book covers how to:

• Create a business plan, market yourself, find clients, pitch, and create an online presence
• Choose a writing focus in journalism, content marketing writing, nonfiction books, ghostwriting, or writing-adjacent services
• Set up your business, including calculating your hourly rate and project fees, negotiating contracts, using AI and productivity tools, doing financial planning, tracking business expenses, and more
• Get the most out of the dozens of benefits and perks ASJA offers to help members thrive

The e-book is available through as a free download only to ASJA members at all levels.

Michelle Rafter is a Portland, OR, business ghostwriter, long-time ASJA member, and current ASJA publications chair. She served on the planning committees for the 2024 and 2025 conferences, chaired the 2023 conference, and has spoken at numerous ASJA conferences and webinars. She’s ASJA’s representative on the organizing committee for the annual Andy Awards for excellence in collaborating writing. As a business reporter, she won multiple awards for her coverage of enterprise technology, transportation, management, workplace issues, job hunting, and careers for major daily newspapers, wire services, and B2B publications.