Membership Application FAQs
Professional and associate memberships require application. Here are some of the most common questions about that application process.
Associate membership is offered to mid-level freelance writers, who would like to become professional members. Writers currently working on staff at a media company can join ASJA at this membership level.
Professional membership is for writers with established freelance writing careers that include at least one published book and/or national clips. Professional ASJA members can access Client Connections, Virtual Pitch Slam or Virtual Client Connections. Note: newly independent former staff writers and editors from established media companies are eligible for professional membership with no waiting period.
Membership dues are $235 per calendar year for both Associate and Professional Members. We will also collect a one-time application fee of $25 and an initiation fee of $50 when you complete your application.
If you are not sure for which membership level you qualify, apply for professional membership. If you meet associate membership requirements but not those for professional membership, you will be awarded an associate membership. In that case, we encourage you to reapply for professional membership with no additional application fee, as soon as you have the needed clips.
Please gather all supporting documents (urls and/or pdfs) before you begin your application. You cannot save your application to finish it later.
To apply for associate membership, you must have:
Articles may be from either national or regional publications. Unpaid articles and clips written while on staff will also be considered for associate membership. Articles or posts on a personal blog cannot be submitted for membership consideration.
The following types of writing do not qualify you for ASJA associate membership:
Please gather all supporting documents (urls and/or pdfs) before you begin your application. You cannot save your application to finish it later.
To apply for professional membership, submit either:
Regional publications do not qualify for professional membership. If you submit short articles (fewer than 700 words or so), submit more articles. Submissions should be from at least two markets. Note: Staff-written clips from a job at an established media company can be considered for the qualifying credentials of applicants for professional membership who are establishing a full-time freelance career.
The applicant’s own self-published books will not be considered unless you can demonstrate the notable quality of the book via extraordinary sales or reviews.
Custom, non-bylined content may be considered qualifying under these conditions:
The following types of writing do not qualify you for ASJA professional membership:
Current members who have retired from publishing can pay half-dues membership to receive benefits such as access to ASJA’s member-only discussion groups. This new category replaces the current half-dues membership offered to members who are ages 65 and older with 25 years of ASJA membership. Rather than set specific requirements, this category allows members to elect to receive reduced rates but remain an active ASJA member. Retired members will receive conference discounts, but cannot participate in Client Networking events, like Client Connections, and cannot receive member pricing for the Annual Awards program.
Professional and associate memberships require application. Here are some of the most common questions about that application process.
Applications are required in two instances: professional and associate membership. Associate members wishing to move up to professional membership can reapply without paying an application fee.
With ASJA, you have access to resources to take your writing career to the next level. You also have access to smart colleagues, events and professional development tools.