Call for Proposals

Know something that other writers would be curious to learn?

ASJA is seeking your ideas for sessions to inspire, motivate, and empower professional, independent non-fiction writers attending our 2024 and 2025 conferences. Both events feature sessions in three writing-related tracks: books, content marketing writing, and journalism. The 2024 conference will be virtual. The 2025 conference will take place in New York City. 

What We Look for in a Conference Session Proposal

The 2024 virtual conference will emphasize insights from experts everywhere, interactive presentations and advanced training, and making connections with editors and others who assign work to freelancers. The 2025 in-person conference will emphasize advanced sessions for experienced writers and networking with fellow writers, editors, agents, and other potential clients – all infused with the energy and vibrancy of New York City.

Both conferences feature a limited number of sessions. The conference committee will review all proposals and develop programming that meets the needs of ASJA members and other professional freelance writers. To increase the likelihood the proposal for the session you want to run is accepted, keep the following in mind when filling out the form:

• Offer real value. Whether a session covers aspects of pitching, writing, time management, running a freelance business, or timely freelance issues or trends, attendees should leave with information or ideas they can act on immediately.
• Appeal to a diverse group. Proposals should take into consideration the breadth of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEA&I) for freelance writers, the subjects they cover, sources they talk to, and teams they collaborate with. We are likewise interested in proposals for sessions with editors or others who assign freelance work; speakers who are not ASJA members, and ASJA members who haven’t presented at an ASJA conference recently.
• Be specific. Explain what a session will cover, how the material will be presented (interactive workshop, small-group discussions, etc.), and how writers would benefit. Include names of all potential presenters, including yourself, and their area of expertise.
• Make it interactive, and fun! Especially for the virtual conference, we are looking for expert-led sessions that make full use of online platforms’ interactive capabilities v. presenting information in a standard panel format.
• Don’t forget Snack Chats and networking lunches. We also want your proposals for the “snack chats” we will host during the virtual conference and networking lunches that take place during the in-person event. For these informal events, you would lead a conversation on a freelance topic but not need to prepare a presentation.
• Indicate which conference your session proposal is for. Choose the virtual conference (September 24-26, 2024), the in-person conference (February 24-26, 2025), or indicate if either works. Agendas for both conferences will be different yet complementary and coordinated to some extent. 

What ASJA Offers Speakers

Speakers who are not ASJA members can attend the conference on the day(s) of their presentations for free; non-member speakers also can apply for membership at a special discount. ASJA member speakers receive a discount on conference registration. ASJA keeps registration fees low by tightly controlling conference expenses. As a result, the organization cannot offer speakers monetary compensation at this time.

Speakers may request to appear at a specific day or time. The conference planning committee takes requests into consideration but has the final say on the event schedule. 

If your session proposal is accepted, the conference planning committee will send instructions about next steps, including how to register for the conference (with relevant discounts), submit materials, and prepare for the event. 

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