Conference Books Track Offers Sessions on Pitching, Productivity, Publishing, and More

Susan Mangiero

The Books track of the 2023 ASJA Virtual Conference June 13-15 features speakers and panels with something for everyone interested in writing fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and other genres, according to Lynne Golodner, the Detroit-based author, writing coach, publisher and ASJA member chairing the track.

Lynne Golodner chairs this year’s books track.

“Speakers literally from around the world will share their experiences and wisdom,” Golodner says. “Every writer dreams of seeing their name in big letters on the cover of a book, and this conference provides three days to guide that dream into becoming a reality!” 


Speakers and panels will cover such subjects as:

  • How to pitch a book project
  • How to write a complete manuscript without losing steam
  • Writing cross-genre
  • Writing books as a late-in-life second (or third) career
  • Trends in self- and hybrid publishing
  • Turning real-life experiences into compelling manuscripts
  • Ensuring ghostwriting collaborations are successful

Books track speakers include:

  • Desiree Cooper, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and award-winning flash fiction writer
  • Dan Gerstein, CEO, Gotham Ghostwriters, a New York city ghostwriting agency partnering with ASJA on all ghostwriting sessions at this year’s conference
  • Chelcee Johns, Senior Editor acquiring literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction titles at Ballantine, an imprint of Random House
  • Becky Robinson, founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a full-service marketing agency specializing in digital and integrated marketing services and public relations for book authors
  • Jennifer S. Wilkov, best-selling author, award-winning freelance writer and Hollywood business consultant, who helps first-time writers and seasoned authors become bestsellers

Registration is open to ASJA members and nonmembers. Early bird registration runs through May 1; find out how to take advantage of discounted rates here.

The three jam-packed days of the virtual conference offer opportunities to hear from prominent speakers and peers during 36 sessions in the Books, Journalism, and Content Marketing Writing tracks, nine informal snack chats, and two virtual happy hours. With the exception of snack chats, all sessions will be recorded and available to attendees on demand, and for sale to non-attendees later in the summer.

Find the full schedule here.