ASJA Awards Sessions You Won’t Want to Miss at the 2026 Conference
Winners of 2026 ASJA Awards for articles and content will be announced at the conference on Wednesday, April 22 at 5:15 p.m. ET.
Among the many reasons to register for 2026 ASJA virtual conference, “Freelancers’ Blueprint: Navigating a Shifting Landscape,” April 20-24 are the opportunities to attend three sessions featuring winners of ASJA Awards for articles and books.
Here’s what to know:
Announcement of 2026 Awards for Journalism and Content Writing
We saved the best for last. At the very last session of the conference, Wednesday, April 22, from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Eastern time, 2026 Awards Co-Chairs Richard Eisenberg and Dara Chadwick will unveil the winners and honorable mentions of the 2026 ASJA Awards for articles and content writing. What an exciting conclusion to the conference!
The awards honor the best work of independent writers chosen by roughly 70 judges in categories ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Wellness, Fitness & Sports, as well as Articles That Make a Difference articles (The Arlenes), the June Roth Memorial Award for Outstanding Medical Article and the Donald Robinson Memorial Award for Investigative Journalism.
We’re hoping the honorees will be at the session to hear when their names are revealed. If you entered your work in an ASJA Award article or content writing category and are attending the conference, you’ll definitely want to attend. And if you haven’t signed up yet, here’s yet another reason to register today!
How ASJA Book Award Winners Create Masterpieces
On Tuesday, April 21, from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. ET, hear from three impressive authors who won or received an honorable mention in the 2025 ASJA Book Awards. These writers will share the origin stories of their award-winning projects and provide advice to attendees who hope to follow in their footsteps. Richard Eisenberg will moderate the session.
The authors are:
- Stephanie Gorton, whose book “The Icon and the Idealist,” a study of two essential characters in sex education, birth control and sexuality, won in the Biography/History category.
- Wendy Lyons Sunshine, an ASJA member whose book, “Tender Paws,” a science-based guide for dog parents looking to foster strong relationships with their pets, won in the Service/Self Help category .
- Michele Weldon, author of “The Time We Have: Essays on Pandemic Living,” who received an honorable mention in the Memoir/Autobiography category.
Hear From 2025 ASJA Article and Content Award Recipients
At this session, on Wednesday, April 22, from 1:45 to 2:35 p.m. ET, independent writers Sammy Sussman, Nicole Carr, and ASJA member Katie Cottingham will talk about their pieces that either won a 2025 ASJA Award for articles or received an honorable mention. They will also share advice for writing excellent articles. Richard Eisenberg will moderate the session.
- Sussman’s New York magazine article, “A Hidden Sexual Assault Scandal at the New York Philharmonic,” won the Donald Robinson Memorial Award for Investigative Journalism.
- Carr’s essay in The Emancipator, “The Black Press Democratized America,” won the Opinion/Op-Ed award.
- Cottingham’s article for the AOCS’ Inform publication, “Raman spectroscopy for edible oil analysis,” about why some grocery-store oils may not be what you think they are, received an honorable mention in the B2B Content category.
The 2026 ASJA conference April 20-22 brings together writers, editors, and agents for three days of helpful sessions on freelance journalism, content writing, and nonfiction books. Client Connections 2026 April 23-24 is an opportunity to pitch editors, agents, and content agencies directly.
Find the full conference schedule and register here. To stay up to speed with ASJA news and events, subscribe to the ASJA Weekly newsletter, read the ASJA Confidential blog, or follow ASJA on Facebook or LinkedIn.
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Richard Eisenberg is an ASJA board member, Co-Chair of the ASJA Awards and Client Connections programs, and an “unretired” independent writer and podcaster.