Got an idea for an article you’d like to write for ASJA Confidential?
We’re making it easier than ever for ASJA members of all levels to pitch and write articles for ASJA Confidential, one of ASJA’s main venues for sharing organization news, updates on writing and media industry trends, and tips for working as an independent writer.
ASJA depends on members to produce the bulk of the content we publish. In 2025, 30 ASJA members contributed at least one article to the ASJA Confidential news channel, covering everything from First Amendment issues to popular apps for running your writing business. Some wrote multiple pieces. Close to 15 members have written articles for the news channel so far in 2026.
Members can submit ASJA Confidential story pitches to the main ASJA office email, asjaoffice@asja.org, and ASJA staff will forward them to the ASJA Confidential publications team to review.
ASJA Contributor Guidelines and Article Template
Once a story pitch is accepted, the publications committee will send members two things: contributor guidelines and an article template.
- Contributor Guidelines. The guidelines are a checklist of elements to include when submitting an article, including title, byline, your preferred headshot and bio, article copy, links, social media blurb, and more. Using the guidelines ensures you’re providing everything the ASJA publications team needs to publish the article.
- ASJA News Article Template. Use the template to file an article, which makes it easy to assemble all the required elements and saves the publications team time when editing and publishing the article.
Once a member has submitted an article, it will be copyedited and returned to them to review and approve before publication.
ASJA Confidential articles are typically published within 24 to 48 hours of being edited and approved, except during the annual conference, holidays, and or when the publications team is on vacation.
What Kinds of Articles Does ASJA Confidential Run?
ASJA Confidential articles run anywhere from 500 to more than 1,000 words depending on the topic and contributor. Here’s a breakdown of common article types. Use this as a guide when considering the types of story ideas to pitch:
- Tips, advice, and insights on writing and running a nonfiction writing business. Articles about the art and craft of writing or working as an independent nonfiction writer are one of the biggest opportunities for members who’d like to write for ASJA Confidential. Recent example of these types of article include ASJA board member and DEAI co-chair Charmaine Seitz’s article on pitching stories about Ramadan; member Cat DiStasio’s piece on earning more per hour without raising your rates; and another piece from DiStasio on looking your best on video calls for interviews and client meetings.
- First-person or reported essays on writing, freelancing, or writing industry topics. ASJA Confidential runs occasional first-person or reported essays about writing or working as an independent writer. Examples include an essay past ASJA President Laura Laing wrote about the ASJA-related things she is grateful for; a post from retired member Suzanne Boles on paying it forward; and a post from former member Susan Gordon on how her life-long curiosity led to her 2016 book.
- ASJA conference promotions and recaps. Articles promoting the annual conference, sessions, speakers, and related topics are typically written by conference planning committee members. They can be based on Q&As with speakers, descriptions of conference sessions, or other information. Conference recaps are daily news articles that highlight key learnings or insights and are typically written by publications committee members. Other recaps are feature stories on specific session topics that run after the fact. ASJA member Leslie Lang recently wrote a piece about turning attending the 2026 virtual conference into a personal writer’s retreat. To pitch story ideas on the annual conference, email asjaoffice@asja.org and put “Annual conference coverage story idea” in the email subject line.
- ASJA committee news. Volunteers on ASJA membership engagement, awards, WEAF, DEAI, Client Networking, virtual education, and other standing committees regularly contribute articles about events or activities their committees have in the works. To pitch article ideas for committee-related news, please contact the relevant committee chairs or co-chairs.
- ASJA member profiles. Our regular Meet the Member profiles introduce people to members they may not know or have only bumped into at a coffee chat or in-person conference. Recent profiles include Q&As with 2026 conference co-chair Jennifer Billock, who is the world’s only professional cheese fortune teller; Adrienne Samuels-Gibbs, on reporting on Sean “Diddy” Combs; and Suzanne Loebl, who’s been an ASJA member for 50 years and a writer even longer.
- Benefits of being an ASJA member. Members are encouraged to pitch stories about how they have benefited from belonging to ASJA. For example, ASJA board member Merlisa Corbett wrote about how volunteering to help manage ASJA social media taught her a new skill that she parlayed into client work. Past ASJA President Emily Paulsen shared that serving in the position gave her name recognition that led to assignments, referrals, and recommendations and some of her top earning years.
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Michelle Rafter is a Portland, Oregon, writer, editor, and business ghostwriter. She is an ASJA board member and ASJA’s publications committee chair.