Apply

ASJA 2024 Conference bg

Looking for other professional freelance writers?

You’re in the right place.

Join us for the first time.
Come back to ASJA
Continue your membership.

 

If you’re a professional freelance writer (or need a little push to land national clients or a book contract), come on in!

Ready to join or move from associate membership to professional membership? Scroll down to get started.

Applications are required for anyone who has never been a member of ASJA and for current associate members who are ready for professional membership.

Please gather all supporting documents (urls and/or pdfs) before you begin your application. You cannot save your application to finish it later.

ASJA only accepts applications electronically and only through this website. Applications cannot be emailed or snail mailed. Supporting documentation must be submitted as links and/or pdfs.

If you have questions, find answers in our Membership Application FAQ.

Still not sure? Review our member benefits and hear how our members have benefited from their ASJA membership.

Professional dues are $179 per calendar year and associate dues are $159 per calendar year. Professional and associate members may renew as retired members for $99 per calendar year and receive reduced benefits.

New Associate and Professional Members

Application required

Because ASJA is a professional freelance writers organization, application is required.* The process is the same for professional and associate membership. The application includes examples of published clips and media from recognized publications, websites and brands, as well as books. You must provide your payment information when you submit your application, which will only be charged if your application is approved for membership. Professional members pay $179 per calendar year, while associate members pay $159 per calendar year. We will also collect a $25 application fee.

*** Note that if you were previously an ASJA member, you do not need to reapply. See Renewing and Rejoining Members below. ***

Apply

Associate Members Applying for Professional Membership

Application required

If you’re currently an associate member with at least four clips from national publications or clients, why not apply for professional membership now? Associate members can apply for professional membership at any time during the year. If the associate member applies for professional membership during the autumn renewal period, they will pay only the next year’s professional dues of $179 (no application fees necessary!). If ASJA’s membership approval team decides that an associate member applying for professional membership is still not ready, the membership will be renewed at the associate level ($159).

Apply

Are you an ASJA member? Were you once a member? Welcome and welcome back!

Former and current ASJA members who are rejoining or renewing do not need to go through the application process. If you are a current or past ASJA member, do not reapply. Use the Rejoin/Renew button below instead.

Have you hung up your writing pen or computer keyboard? You can renew or rejoin as a retired member. See below for details.

Renewing or Rejoining Members

No application required

If you’re a current member, you simply need to renew your membership. Been a member in the past? You can also skip the application process. Professional dues are $179 per calendar year and associate dues are $159 per calendar year.

To rejoin, please contact asjaoffice@asja.org. Once it is verified you have been a member previously, an ASJA staff member will reactivate your membership and provide an invoice for dues, along with instructions on how to access your new ASJA account and make payment.

Renewing as a Retired Member

No application required

What if you’re already a member, but you are no longer working as a freelance writer? Consider retired membership at $99 per calendar year. Because they’re no longer seeking new writing opportunities, retired members are not eligible to participate in client networking events, but they also pay substantially reduced dues. And we won’t ask your age. If you come back to writing and want client networking benefits again, just renew as a professional member for the following year.

If you are no longer working as a freelance writer and would like to switch to retired membership, please send your request to asjaoffice@asja.org.

Member Success Stories

How have ASJA members used their membership to succeed and grow as freelance writers? Most members report that making connections with other writers — through programs like Client Connections (virtual and live), Virtual Pitch Slams and conferences — is the greatest benefit of ASJA membership.

These Success Stories demonstrate the power of ASJA membership.

Member Success Stories