Keep up with the latest from ASJA members. Explore member news to see our members’ newest projects and published pieces.
Members: Submit your news for publication, in ASJA Weekly, and in the ASJA Magazine. You must be logged in.
Randi Minetor’s story on the rescue of a limpkin, a Floridian bird, that found its way to Lewiston, NY days before a historic snowstorm pummeled the area, was published in the September issue of Birding magazine. The story chronicles the discovery of the wayward bird, the careful method employed to capture it, and the many people involved in caring for it and transporting it to a wildlife refuge in South Carolina on Thanksgiving Day 2022.
Nancy Christie’s award-winning novel, Reinventing Rita (BookBaby) was released June 2023. The first in her Midlife Moxie novel series, it explores the challenges faced by 50-year-old Rita Reynolds as she navigates the midlife stage and wonders if it’s too late to start over and reinvent herself. With the help of her friends, including her boss and (surprisingly) her ex-husband’s second wife, she’s about to find out.
Dr. Susan Mangiero’s article, “The Doctoral Difference Sets Executives Apart,” appears in the September 5, 2023 issue of AACSB’s higher education Insights publication. Her exploration of individuals who pursued the DBA or business PhD degree includes an interview with ASJA member, Dr. Marcia Layton Turner.
Melanie Radzicki McManus’ book, 100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells Before You Die, was released by Reedy Press on Sept. 5, 2023. The book details the Dells’ best dining, entertainment, shopping, historic sites and more, based on McManus’ nearly 30 years of covering this popular Midwestern vacation destination.
Stacey Freed is a fellow in the 2023 Robert N. Butler and Jack Rosenthal Age Boom Academy at Columbia School of Journalism. The program educates “journalists about the multifaceted social, economic, and health issues associated with population aging.”
Kenneth Miller’s book, Mapping the Darkness: The Visionary Scientists Who Unlocked the Mysteries of Sleep, will be published on October 3, 2023, by Hachette Book Group. It’s a history of sleep science, told through the lives of four pioneers who helped shape the field. Through spectacular experiments, technological innovation, and the single-minded commitment of three generations of researchers, the book charts the evolution of sleep science from fringe discipline into mainstream obsession.
ASJA immediate past president, Laura Laing, received a Rubys Artist Grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation. The funds will help her complete a memoir, an experimental, coming-of-age, coming-out story woven with explorations in abstract mathematics and set in the Appalachian Mountains and Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Clayton Trutor’s book, Loserville: How Professional Sports Remade Atlanta–and How Atlanta Remade Professional Sports, was released in 2022 by the University of Nebraska Press and received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly.
In a new weekly Substack, called the Rebel Author Newsletter, Lynne Golodner offers tips and insights about making writing your life, getting published, finding community and not feeling so alone with the words on the page. For paid subscribers, she offers monthly book giveaways and bimonthly writing coaching calls. She also interviews authors for this publication and for the Make Meaning Podcast. Read it at lynnegolodnerauthor.substack.com and find the podcast on all platforms.
Renee Brincks wrote a Santa Barbara travel feature for the summer issue of Buick’s B magazine.
Jerry McTigue has launched a Substack column The View Less Taken, a fresh, often satirical perspective that provokes critical thought on topical issues, like his recent essay “U.S. Supreme Court Creates Gift Registry.”
Teresa Zumwald won three 2023 Cicero Speechwriting Awards from Vital Speeches of the Day. Two speeches for Dena LaMar, chief DE&I officer, Advance Auto Parts, won in the Leadership & Management and Social Justice categories, respectively. A building dedication speech for John McKenzie, president, Winsupply Inc., won an honorable mention. Zumwald’s speeches have won 18 Cicero awards since 2014. She will be honored at the World Conference of the Professional Speechwriters Association in October.
Margie Patlak’s nature photo book, Wild and Wondrous: Nature’s Artistry on the Coast of Maine, was released on July 1, 2023 by Down East Books/Rowman and Littlefield. It is a visual companion to her ASJA award-winning memoir More Than Meets the Eye. “This is not just a book, but a stunning work of art that transports the reader to the magical shores of Maine,” wrote one reviewer, and another wrote “Wander Maine’s coast with Margie Patlak to share her open-hearted delight in all nature bestows here.”
Dr. Susan Mangiero, MFA wrote a guest blog about fraud and fiction for author George D. Cramer’s mystery writing blog. A Certified Fraud Examiner and investigative economist, Susan worked on multiple investment fraud cases as a testifying expert. In her essay, she addresses the fraud personality, fraudsters’ exploitation of misplaced trust, and the harm experienced by fraud victims.
Brittany VanDerBill recently had a travel article published with Subaru Drive, “A Travel Odyssey To See the Field of Dreams.” The article includes an overview of upcoming developments in Dyersville, Iowa, interviews with key people to provide additional context and insight, and an inside look at things to do and see in the town.
Jennifer Billock had a new article published with Travel + Leisure, “This Might Be the Most Affordable Way to See Europe This Summer.”
Jaclyn Greenberg recently published four articles in Parents magazine all related to disability awareness.
Jennifer L.W. Fink’s second book, Building Boys: Raising Great Guys In a World That Misunderstands Males, was released on April 4, 2023, by Rowman & Littlefield. The book shows parents how to raise confident, secure boys in an era of evolving gender norms. Meghan Leahy, Washington Post‘s parenting columnist, said Building Boys should be “mandatory reading,” and The Boys Initiative said it’s “destined to become the go-to instruction manual for raising decent and emotionally intelligent boys.”
JoBeth McDaniel’s reported essay for OpenMind, a digital science magazine, explores how misinformation can hijack your emotions, with expert advice on how to respond. “Weaponized Empathy” debuted in April, and focuses on current misinformation/disinformation tactics, including “tarwashing,” the deliberate attempts to paint greener options (electric vehicles, plant-based meat) as environmentally unsound or “dirty.” The assignment grew from a brief Client Connection meeting during ASJA’s 2022 annual convention.
Iyna Bort Caruso just completed an audio tour script for the Knoxville Museum of Art. The tour is in production and will be available in multiple languages late fall. Caruso has previously worked with the Jackie Robinson Museum, Ford Foundation Gallery and Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, among other cultural institutions.
Kim Kavin testified on Capitol Hill about the need to protect the choice of self-employment for freelance writers and all kinds of other independent contractors. The hearing was part of an effort to stop policies like California’s AB5 (which ASJA battled in court) from spreading nationwide through federal legislation and White House regulatory efforts. Kim and ASJA Advocacy Chair Debbie Abrams Kaplan met privately with numerous lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate about the issue as well.
Sandi Schwartz was honored with a Gold Nautilus Book Award for her parenting book, Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer. This award recognizes and celebrates “Better Books for a Better World.”
Estelle Erasmus’ book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published from New World Library, out in June received a “Buy this Book” review from Publisher’s Weekly and is an Amazon bestseller in pre-orders.
Lynne Golodner has launched Scotia Road Books, the hybrid press for women over 40 with strong voices that need to be heard. She will serve as publisher. Submissions are open at https://scotiaroadbooks.com/submissions/. Scotia Road Books publishes contemporary fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, narrative memoir, and essay collections.
Susan Shapiro will be writing American Shield with highly decorated former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, a Dominican immigrant and U.S. army veteran who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, sustaining injuries that ended his law enforcement career. About drawing strength from family and achieving the American Dream despite daunting obstacles, with a preface by Congressman Jamie Raskin, the book will be published by Counterpoint in November 2023.
Robin L. Flanigan’s book, 100 Things To Do In Rochester Before You Die, is being released on April 14, 2023, by Reedy Press. With insider tips and suggested itineraries by subject and season, this book is a local’s lowdown on the obvious and obscure gems found in Rochester—the cultural capital of Western New York—no matter the weather.
Wendy Lyons Sunshine writes about our close connection with animals for PsychologyToday.com. Recently she explored “What kind of dog parent are you?“
Yvonne Liu’s essay “For my Chinese American parents, ballroom dancing brought fun, comfort and a sense of belonging” published in Salon. She was also selected to participate in the Tin House Winter 2023 workshop for the memoir section.
Among 600 million blogs, Terry Whalin’s blog The Writing Life was one of the 27 Top Blog Content Writers Sharing Their Talents. His blog was also listed as one of the top 100 Best Writing Blogs to Follow in 2023.
Stephanie Bouchard’s article, “With Physical Restrictions, Sex May Change But It Doesn’t Have to End,” for Caregiving magazine made the publication’s top 10 most-read articles for 2022. Stephanie made a connection with the magazine’s editor through Virtual Client Connections. Read the article here: chicagocaregiving.com/sex-with-physical-restrictions/
Barbara Ensrud’s book, J.B. Rhine: Letters 1923-1939: ESP and the Foundations of Parapsychology won the Parapsychological Association 2022 Book of the Year. “One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the personal and intimate nature of the letters… Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of parapsychology and the groundbreaking work of J.B. Rhine, and highly recommended for scientists, historians, and the general public alike,” read the announcement.
Jenn McKee recently published two personal essays: “I Suck at Running but Keep Going Anyway” — about how a slow runner has flipped the script to keep herself motivated in middle age — appeared on Shonda Rhimes’ site Shondaland; and “Teens and Social Media: How Our Daughter Used One Simple App to Bring Us Together” appeared in Your Teen magazine, and unpacked how a reclusive teen’s invitation to her parents to join BeReal has provided an unexpected point of emotional connection.
Rodney J. (RJ) Moore was named the Multi-Hyphenate of the Year in the 2022 Rosie Awards by We Are Rosie. The 2022 Rosie Awards are an annual award opportunity for freelancers, who often get left out of these conversations. We Are Rosie believes in celebrating the human side of work and those of us who’ve unlocked our passion, mission and work-life harmony through independent work.
Milt Toby’s “Forging Its Own Path” was named the Best Magazine Article at the 2022 EQUUS Film and Arts Fest on December 4. The article compared penalty provisions for the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Thoroughbred racing with procedures used in human athletics for prohibited medications. The winning article appeared in the August issue of BloodHorse magazine and was adapted from Milt’s upcoming book, “Unnatural Ability: The History of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Thoroughbred Racing.”
After I had my client connections interview with Tia Ghose she sent me an assignment. I wrote the article and it was published a week later. Overall it was a really great experience. Read the Article: Sub-hearing sounds can make people dance more — and they aren’t even aware it’s happening
Estelle Erasmus and Sherry Paprocki launched the soundbite-filled Freelance Writing Direct Podcast, covering tips, tricks, craft and strategies a writer needs to know to move forward in their creativity & career. They share how the sauce is made, lots of fun interviews and advice from authors and writers; break down pitches and essays, plus provide insight from their combined 45+ years of experience as editors, writers, authors and speakers. Find it on iTunes and Spotify.
Christine Arata’s essay, “Here’s to the Patriarchy: Why the Catholic Church Gives Me the Freedom that the Summer of Love Never Did” was published on Crisis Magazine’s site on November 21, 2002.
Ann Hoffner has been named a Contributing Editor by “Ocean Navigator” magazine. “There is no party or press event to mark the occasion — or even a raise, unfortunately,” says editor Tim Queeney. Just a hearty thanks for all the work she’s contributed over the years.
Paul Nicolaus wrote an article for Fodor’s Travel about an edible exploration and why the experience emerged as a surprising highlight of a Florida family adventure. The assignment came after viewing an ASJA travel writing webinar and meeting with one of the publication’s editors during a Virtual Client Connections event.
Sandi Schwartz’s book, “Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer,” was honored with a GOLD award by the Nonfiction Book Awards, via the Nonfiction Authors Association. The book focuses on the science-backed mental health benefits of connecting with nature through topics including awe and gratitude, mindfulness, creative arts, outdoor play, travel and adventure, volunteering, food, and animals.
Just published: “Hidden Maryland: In Search of America in Miniature.” It’s a collection of Gene Meyer’s 50 award-winning features, columns and profiles written for Maryland Life magazine from 2005 to 2013, with updates and images. Tour the USA — in Maryland! This oddly-configured state — the ninth smallest — has it all. Meyer has spent decades exploring its hidden nooks and crannies, meeting people and finding places not on any traditional tour map. Find it all here.
L. M. Archer interviews Gotham Ghostwriters members about their new books for her monthly series ‘GG Craft Interviews.” Author interviews include New Yorker cartoonist Bob Eckstein about his humor book The Complete Book of Cat Names (That Your Cat Won’t Answer to, Anyway), Raina Lipsitz about her timely The Rise of a New Left, Kate Rounds about her debut novel, Catboat Road, and writer David Tabatsky about the Holocaust-inspired The Boy Behind the Door, and novel Filthy Rich Lawyers.
John Egan’s book, The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing: Success Secrets for Beginners, was released November 9, 2022, by HawkStar Press. The book provides the essentials for creating high-quality content that grows a business, including content marketing campaigns to emulate and content marketing campaigns to avoid.
Kaitlyn Wells’ debut picture book, A Family Looks Like Love (Penguin Random House), published May 2022. It explores her painful childhood experiences growing up Black biracial in Texas, but from the perspective of her dog, Sutton, who inspired the story. The heartening story reminds all that love is what makes a family. It’s been awarded the Outstanding Book Award 2022 by the National Association of Black Journalists, and received a recommended rating by the Children’s Book Council.
Jaclyn Greenberg wrote an article for Wired about how she and her tween daughter bonded over the language-learning app, Duolingo. She also wrote a few round-ups for Reviewed about accessible backpacks, clothing and Halloween costumes, as well as a piece for TD Bank about money-saving Halloween tips.
An article Lisa Rabasca Roepe wrote for The New York Times, “Millennials Want to Retire at 50. How to Afford it is Another Matter,” appeared at the top of the homepage the morning of Sept. 24 and was a LinkedIn Trending topic. She was also interviewed about the article on SiriusXM’s The Perri Peltz Show.
Judy L. Mandel’s second book, White Flag, explores the ramifications of transgenerational trauma as well as the complexities of substance use disorder (SUD). Her investigational memoir seeks answers to questions about why a loved one has SUD, why they couldn’t stop, and what can be done. A personal story with wide ranging meaning for anyone touched by this epidemic.
Parul Kapur Hinzen’s debut novel, Inside the Mirror, about twin sister artists in 1950s Bombay has won the 2022 AWP Prize for the Novel, judged by Brandon Hobson, and will be published next year by the University of Nebraska Press. The novel was inspired by her arts reporting as a young journalist with the city magazine Bombay.
Christine Heinrichs has been writing about the Piedras Blancas, California, northern elephant seal colony since 2011, when she won a Ten Spurs award for her account of the federal investigation of the shooting of three seals as they slept on the beach. The local newspaper editor invited her to write the monthly column in 2014. During the summer of 2022, transient orcas were recorded in the area, focusing attention on what researchers call the seals’ “lightscape of fear.”˚
Vince Guerrieri‘s third book, Weird Moments in Cleveland Sports: Bottlegate, Bedbugs, and Burying the Pennant is due out from Gray Publishing on Nov. 1, 2022. The book is an offbeat collection of stories on some of Cleveland sports’ most infamous moments.
Emily Paulsen won a 2022 Gold International MarCom award for writing for a white paper on Telehealth and Health Care Access: Fulfilling the Promise (client: URAC). This is a follow-up to the Platinum award for writing she won in 2021.
Kelly Boyer Sagert is the sole credited writer for Trail Magic: The Grandma Gatewood Story, which has been nominated for a best documentary award at the Erie International Film Festival. The film previously received an Emmy Award nomination, as well as others.
Candy B. Harrington recently released her latest national park access guide, Barrier-Free Travel; California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers. Be it a three-day one-park getaway, or a five-week adventure to all seven accessible national parks, this handy resource includes the detailed information and authoritative resources needed to help slow walkers and wheelchair-users plan the perfect California national park road trip.
ASJA Past President Milt Toby swept the “Magazine Article” category at the recent 2021 EQUUS Film & Arts Fest. The winning article, “The Path Behind and Ahead,” appeared in the July 2021 issue of Blood-Horse magazine. The runner-up, “Viva Cañonero,” was published in the May 2021 issue of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred.
Paul Vachon’s book, Becoming the Motor City: A Timeline of Detroit’s Auto Industry, was released on September 15, 2021, by Reedy Press. The book is a hardcover coffee-style volume that traces the development of Detroit’s signature industry. It’s about cars but it’s also about personalities, temperaments, corporate corruption, and other interesting stuff.
Jack El-Hai has launched a new venture as a creative writing coach for physicians. He helps doctors use writing to combat stress, burnout, and disconnection from patients and colleagues.
Bob Nesoff has sold the movie rights to his novel, Spyder Hole. He has also signed with Arcadia Publishers/History Press to produce two books: A History Lover’s Guide to Bergen County, and the true crime story Mysterious Mike Malone.
Liane Starr edited a book, Stream This Next, which was released by Rizzoli Books. “I am happy to be anyone’s source for upcoming articles about TV shows to stream during the long pandemic we’re in,” she says.
Lawrence Tabak’s book Foxconned: Imaginary Jobs, Bulldozed Homes, and the Sacking of Local Government is an exposé on economic development fiascos, featuring Asian tech giant Foxconn in Wisconsin. It was released from The University of Chicago Press in November 2021. A starred review in Publishers Weekly follows the book’s 2020 short list recognition for the J. Anthony Lukas Columbia School of Journalism Work in Progress Award.
Sandra Ebejer interviewed guitar legend Tom Morello about his new album, his upbringing, and his favorite songs of rebellion and liberation for AARP The Magazine. She also interviewed Senator Elizabeth Warren about her inspiring new children’s book, Pinkie Promises, for Shondaland.
Margie Goldsmith was awarded the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation’s highest journalism award, Bronze Journalist of the Year. This makes 96 creative writing awards that she has won since she started freelancing 20 years ago. Goldsmith writes for many magazines, has written three books, and is presently work on her fourth.
Joanna Haugen was recently named a winner of a Newsweek’s Future of Travel Awards in the storytelling category. Haugen is the founder of Rooted, a solutions platform at the intersection of sustainable tourism, storytelling, and social impact. She frequently writes about and speaks on these topics.
Liz Alterman’s memoir, Sad Sacked, was released by Audible Originals. When Liz and her husband lost their jobs within six weeks of each other, Liz wondered how they’d get by. Writing about it (and laughing about the nightmare that is the modern-day employment landscape) helped her survive.
L.M. Archer published a story on Pix.wine about Dauntless Wine Company, a veteran-owned winery in Oregon helping veterans transition from the battlefield to the vineyard.
Randi Minetor had the pleasure of writing about the high-tech side of Usher’s current residency in Las Vegas for Projection, Lights & Staging News (PLSN) in November 2021.
After writing two articles about the growing childcare crisis—one for Fast Company and one for Insider — Lisa Rabasca Roepe was invited to moderate a discussion at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Talent Forward conference in October 2021, about why childcare is a workforce issue.
Stephanie Overman was honored for her outstanding contributions to the media profession and her unwavering commitment to excellence by her alma mater, Ball State University (BSU). BSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Communication presented Overman with its 2021 Hall of Fame Award in ceremonies held on September 30, 2021.
Jennifer Billock’s new book Historic Chicago Bakeries was released. It ranked as the #1 new book in two categories and was #13 overall in travel books on Amazon the week it was released.
