ASJA’s 2026 Membership Drive Kicks Off With Lower Dues, Free E-Book, and More

When I started my independent writing career, I absorbed everything I could about owning a creative business. Blog posts, ebooks, podcasts—you name it, my eyes and ears were glued to it. And when I joined the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), I discovered even more knowledge to feed my freelancing appetite. 

If you’re hungry to grow your entrepreneurial writing business, now’s the perfect time to join ASJA, the leading professional organization for independent journalists, content writers, and nonfiction authors.

Our annual fall membership drive kicks off today, and to meet the challenges of the current publishing landscape, ASJA has adjusted dues and membership requirements.

As an added bonus, through the end of October, we’re offering some valuable incentives – free membership for the rest of 2025, and a free e-book about how to expand your business – because we want to help more writers benefit from ASJA membership. 

It truly is easier than it’s ever been for self-employed writers to grow their business by digging into ASJA’s wealth of resources, from exploring new writing territories to navigating industry shifts. 

Need more convincing? Read details about the benefits ASJA offers below. Then, save the date to attend an ASJA virtual open house on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern time, where you can talk to current members and get answers to questions about the organization’s resources, programming, and benefits.

Changes to ASJA Dues and Membership Requirements

It’s a new chapter for ASJA. To adapt to the evolving publishing landscape, the ASJA board recently adjusted both the organization’s dues and membership eligibility requirements. If dues or clips have kept you from joining before, now is a good time to revisit an investment in ASJA.

Dues. ASJA annual dues are now $179 for professional members and $159 for associate members. During the month of October, we’re waiving the regular $25 application fee for new applicants. ASJA membership runs for the calendar year, but if you apply now and are accepted, you’ll get membership benefits for the rest of 2025, plus all of 2026. See an FAQ about the application process here.

Requirements. ASJA membership requirements also recently changed. Writers are now eligible to become a member at the professional level with four national level clips or client projects, or with one or more books published by a traditional or hybrid publisher. Writers with three or more clips from regional publications or regional clients may join at the associate level. Learn more about the membership eligibility changes in this ASJA Confidential blog post, and read the full membership eligibility requirements here.

Free E-Book on Running a Freelance Writing Business

As an incentive for joining, we’ve compiled our best advice for starting or expanding an independent writing business into an e-book that new members will receive once they’ve applied and been accepted into the organization. The e-book covers:

• Establishing yourself as a self-employed writer, including creating a business plan, marketing, finding clients, pitching, and creating an online presence.
• Choosing or expanding your writing focus, whether it’s journalism, content marketing writing, ghostwriting, or nonfiction books.
• Essential elements of running a freelance business, including calculating your hourly rate, negotiations, contracts, AI and productivity tools, business expenses, and more
• Using ASJA benefits and resources

ASJA Benefits Include Freelance Writing Resources, Client Networking, and Community

The ebook is just one of many entrepreneurial resources you can access when you join our community. ASJA offers a plethora of other benefits to support writers who choose to work for themselves, including training, information, conferences, support for DEAI, and community.

The ASJA Confidential Blog is a great way to stay up to date on timely topics and industry trends. A recent post highlighted the ASJA Paycheck Database, which allows members to see which clients are assigning work and how much they’re paying. Another post offered tips for cultivating new and existing writing clients, including a roundup of previous articles with marketing advice.

The ASJA Weekly newsletter features a quirky introduction from editor Holly Leber Simmons plus recent blog post links, information on ASJA and non-ASJA events, and industry news. There’s also a weekly reminder about ASJA’s Virtual Coffee Chats, which are held each Tuesday. The chat link is posted in the private ASJA Facebook group on the morning of the gathering.

ASJA webinars explore diverse topics and showcase experts in their fields. A recent presentation on self-publishing examined strategies for taking the non-traditional route to completing a book. Another webinar, Artificial Intelligence, Writers and the Law, focused on AI’s impact on copyright and the status of cases filed against major AI companies. 

ASJA also hosts an annual conference, alternating each year between virtual and in-person events. The next conference, “The Freelancers’ Blueprint—Navigating a Shifting Landscape,” will be held virtually April 20-24, 2026. The organization is currently seeking proposals for sessions to inspire, motivate, and empower attendees. See recaps of the 2025 conference that took place Feb. 24-26 at the Fashion Institute of Technology here, here, and here.

The conference will also feature Client Connections, ASJA’s signature networking event, where members land one-on-one meetings with top magazines, newspapers, book agents, publishers, and marketing agencies.

When you join ASJA, you not only get to share our wealth of writing business knowledge, but you can also impart your experience and expertise to other members. The ASJA community also offers several connection opportunities, including the aforementioned Virtual Coffee Chats and Facebook page, where members may participate in virtual discussions, as well as regional chapters that host in-person and online meetups.

Attend the Oct. 8 Virtual Open House

If you’re curious to learn more about ASJA, stop by our virtual open house on Wednesday, Oct. 8 12-1 p.m. ET. The open house is your opportunity to ask questions about the application process and ASJA benefits, hear from current members, and learn more about our tight-knit community of independent non-fiction writers.

Ready to make an investment in your freelance writing career? Apply to ASJA today, and join hundreds of other writers who prioritize professional development, client networking, and a strong community.

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Mitzi S. Morris is an independent journalist, content producer, and copywriter who lives in Kentucky but writes a lot about Indiana. She spent nearly 20 years in television news before starting her freelance career. You can view Mitzi’s work on her website and LinkedIn.