How to Pitch Stories About Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month
An ASJA member who’s Muslim and has a master’s in comparative religions shares ideas for covering various aspects of the Islamic holy month.
News
Featured
Read
From 5 Minutes to 3 Days: How to Make the Most of Your ASJA Membership
Reap the benefits of belonging to the largest group of professional independent writers, regardless of how much time you have – here’s how.
I Turned the ASJA Virtual Conference Into a Writing Retreat with Friends – Here’s How You Can Too
A freelance writer shares how she transformed attending the virtual conference into an educational yet fun writers’ retreat with a friend.
NABJ Hosts Town Hall on Freedom of the Press
ASJA Vice President Participates in Gathering Assembled to Protest Journalist Arrests The recent arrests of…
Sign Up for Feb. 17 “Beyond the Page” Special Event on Diversifying Your Income
Successful writers and editors will explain how to monetize your existing skills by offering coaching, classes, retreats, and more.
Meet the Member: Adrienne Samuels-Gibbs on Using Her Journalism and Entertainment Industry Experience to Cover Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, and More
The Chicago writer’s approach to storytelling is defined by her deep entertainment industry knowledge and wide-ranging editorial vision.
Submit Your 2026 ASJA Awards Entries Now
The 2026 ASJA Awards for works by independent writers are now open for submissions and…
26 Ways to Get Your Money’s Worth from ASJA in 2026
How well do you know ASJA? Did you know that in the past year, your…
Need a New Year’s Writing Reset? Meditate.
Regular practice can bring your mind to a place of authenticity, which allows the quality of your writing to increase exponentially.
ASJA 2025 Year in Review: Change, Community, and Outstanding Committees
ASJA President Darcy Lewis breaks down the highlights of the past year, including an in-person conference, new management company, and more.
GEO Webinar Recap: What Writers Need to Know (Before It’s Too Late)
Key Takeaways* Generative engine optimization (GEO) helps content appear in AI search results.* Publishers are…
How to Build a Writing Business Working With Retainer Clients
I started freelancing almost two decades ago after leaving a job in corporate marketing. I…
Featured
Browse by topic
So You Want to be a Foreign Correspondent
While serving an extended stint as president of the São Paulo Foreign Correspondents Club back…
Don’t Make These Mistakes that First-Time Self-Published Authors Make
I get a lot of authors coming to me for self-publishing advice and these are…
I Turned a Book Into a Health Technology Business
Single, with teenage daughters, I had to make a decision. Receive 10 percent royalties on…
Take a Break!
The main reason some of us became freelancers – which I’ve been full-time, again, since…
Freelance Writing Meets Online Education: How to Get Involved
The incredible growth of online education represents the largest financial opportunity for freelance writers in…
Pitfalls of Negotiating Your Own Book Contract
After hearing multiple friends talk about the benefits of having a literary agent when negotiating…
How the most successful writers (and others) schedule their days
I’ve spent the past several years writing about time management. I’ve studied the schedules of…
Getting Started in Science Writing
Science. It’s a word that strikes fear in some people’s hearts—and delight in others’. I’m…
Giving the Purity Test to Nonprofit News
“Non-profit news” has a special ring to it, an Ivory Soap patina of “99 and…
Another's Voice
When it comes to ghostwriting, one of the most challenging aspects of writing the manuscript…
The Help: How I Work with a Virtual Assistant
I started using a virtual assistant for one reason: sleep. After the last session of…
3 Reasons Why Making an App Could Boost Your Writing Career
About three years ago, my tech-savvy buddy Kurt Collins and I asked ourselves a question:…
Financial Writing Niche: Potentially Lucrative
When I started freelancing 14 years ago, I fell into a niche – financial writing…
Put These 'Take-Home' Lessons to Work
There’s something about “take-home message” that rubs me the wrong way. With a few exceptions,…
What Writers Need to Know about Information Products
We writers hear almost daily about magazine markets drying up, publisher advances plummeting, and online…
How to Use Social Media to Support Your Writing Career
Far too many freelancers say things like, “I don’t have time for Facebook; I don’t…
Sell Books with Your New Public Speaking Skills
The new brain research says we should all do something new and challenging to grow…
Let’s Write Some History
I’m a history geek. Favorite historical figure: Teddy Roosevelt. Favorite historical event: the Defenestration of…
Frommer's Refuses to Call It Quits
I was still reeling from the news that Google was closing down Google Reader, and…
Getting to Know You: Four Ways that Biographers Approach Their Subjects
Yes, I’m a biographer. I’ve proudly claimed that title ever since my first book—an independent…
My Own Slow Writing Movement
About eight years ago (!), sitting in my literary agent’s kitchen sipping on a glass…
Writing the War: A Military Spouse's Perspective
When I decided to wade into freelance writing a couple of years ago, I wasn’t…
Being a Writer Doesn’t Mean I’m No Longer a Nurse
I was 17 when I entered college and the world of nursing. I wasn’t sure…
Should I Look for a Traditional Publisher Or Self Publish?
I have been contemplating writing a second non-fiction book, a follow-up to Mastering the Mommy…
A Circuitous Road to Memoir
When I started writing Replacement Child, I had a vague idea that I wanted to…
Writers Do Need Math (Don't Panic)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever said anything like this: “I am no good at…
Tips for Getting Work in a Down Economy
Economy getting your business down? It is mine. I don’t know about you but work…
My Crowdfunding Teachable Moment
I tend to jump into situations feet first – which can be a good and…
Turning your Hobby into Work; Work into your Hobby
It started out as a normal assignment. As much as anything can be “normal” for…
Legal Danger for Bloggers: Two Misconceptions, Three Resources, One Suggestion
No blogger wants to get in trouble with the law, become liable for financial damages,…