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The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) does not endorse any company, product, or service sold by any corporation, institution or member supporting our organization. Corporate partnerships, advertisers and sponsors are not an endorsement of a product or service and may not be represented as such, in any way. The use of the ASJA name and/or logo, or representation of such, without the written consent of ASJA, is strictly prohibited.
MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE NEWS
“This old world is a new world and a bold world.” A friend has been posting that she’s been listening to Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” on repeat the last few days and it feels apt. A song of hope is a good thing. And we’ve got a handful of events coming up that should give us all more reason to feel hopeful, or invigorated. Despite the challenges presented, the ASJA leaders have stepped up to make sure we all have opportunities for community and learning, and they are to be applauded. Make sure we know if we should applaud you too, via Member News or Member Success Stories, or other means. I hope this year is kind to you. Warmest wishes, Holly Leber Simmons, ASJA Weekly editor
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Virtual Client Connections Sign Ups Begin Today
ASJA
At VCC you can meet editors and agents by phone or Zoom. Pitch story ideas one-on-one or talk about what a particular editor is looking for. Sign-ups run Jan. 26-28 at 2 p.m. EST each day. The VCC event will be held Feb. 16-18 and Feb. 23-25. Visit Client Connections, http://asja.org/Benefits/Client-Connections, for a list of participating editors. Got questions? Contact
stacey.freed@gmail.com or LisaRoepe@gmail.com.
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Announcing the 2021 Tele-Connections Recruiting Contest
ASJA
Invite editors and literary agents to meet with ASJA writers (via short speed-dating-like appointments created on a lottery system) on May 24-25 at this year's virtual Tele-Connections event. Counter the year's craziness and help yourself and others network with people hiring writers. The person who gets the most editors/agents to sign up wins free conference registration or a guaranteed virtual spot with the person of your choice. Email Recruiting Contest chair Cheryl Alkon at calkon@gmail.com for your suggestions on who you can invite.
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Last Chance for Early Bird Discounts to ASJA Virtual 2021
ASJA
Planning to attend the ASJA Virtual Conference from April 13 to 29? You can get the best price if you register during the early bird period, which wraps up soon. Until January 31, register for the whole event (including sessions, Snack Chats and more) for the low rate of $215 members/$315 non-members. Individual tracks (books, journalism, or content marketing) are just $95 members/$140 non-members per track. Prices go up beginning Feb. 1, so don't wait. Sign up for this can't-miss event now at
https://na.eventscloud.com/website/20696/.
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Keynote Speaker for Virtual Journalism Track Announced
ASJA
ASJA is pleased to announce that Katherine E. Standefer will be the keynote speaker for the Journalism Track on the ASJA Virtual Conference, happening April 13 to 29. Standefer is the author of Lightning Flowers: My Journey to Uncover the Cost of Saving a Life, which was an Editor's Pick in The New York Times Book Review and shortlisted for the 2018 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Prize from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. She earned her MFA in Creative Nonfiction at the University of Arizona and now teaches for Ashland University's Low-Residency MFA. Curious what other speakers you can hear at the conference? Check out the agenda and register at https://na.eventscloud.com/website/20696/.
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Last Week to Enter the ASJA Writing Awards
ASJA
This year’s ASJA Writing Awards are open for entries! You have until Feb. 1 to send us your best work, so sort through your stories, essays, blog posts, books and – new this year -- content published in 2020. This year we’ve added four new categories, including Social Change, which recognizes articles or essays addressing current social change or injustice in today’s turbulent climate, as well as three just for content writers. Pick out the ones that make you most proud, consult the list of writing award categories for the best fit, and fill out the entry form. We’ve opened almost all of the awards to nonmember freelancers, added three content categories, and streamlined the process. The awards rules are here. When you’re ready to enter, click here. For any questions, contact Janine Latus, Awards Committee Chair, at jslatus@gmail.com. May the best stories win!
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Virtual Education Session 1: Secrets of Book Publishing with Susan Shapiro: A Case Study
ASJA
Are you a seasoned writer looking to publish your first book this year? Or perhaps you're an established author looking to fine-tune and improve on your future book launches? Then you're in the right place! Join us for our virtual session with the renowned Susan Shapiro where we'll discuss the launch of her new book "The Forgiveness Tour: How to Find the Perfect Apology" and how she went about the publishing process. From conceptualizing the idea and finding an agent all the way to marketing and book promotion post-publication. Don't miss out on an opportunity to take your writing career to the next level! Join Susan Feb 2nd at 4:30 p.m. ET https://asja.org/For-Writers/Webinars
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Virtual Education Session 2: How to Do a Tedx
ASJA
Has giving a TEDx talk always been on your bucket list? Do you wonder how other speakers get to deliver one, two or even more TEDx talks throughout their careers? And you think you have what it takes to do the same? Then you can't miss our next event. We're bringing together an eclectic mix of experienced TEDx speakers as well as a TEDx events organizer to share the ins and outs of how to give a TEDx talk. From advice on how to land a TEDx talk to practical tips on how to structure and organize your talk. Sign up today to reserve your spot. The webinar will take place on Feb 24th at 4 p.m. ET https://asja.org/For-Writers/Webinars
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Member News
ASJA
Melanie Padgett Powers, owner of MelEdits, recently began working with two new association magazine clients. A freelance writer and editor, Powers is now the contributing editor/writer and copy editor for SumNews, the magazine of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. She is also the new managing editor for Dateline Federation magazine, the magazine of the Hemophilia Federation of America. Powers was an editor and writer in the hemophilia community about 10 years ago and is thrilled to be working with the bleeding disorders community again. She is also celebrating the two-year anniversary of her podcast, Deliberate Freelancer, which helps others freelancers build successful freelance businesses.
Joey Held shares that Crisp Bounce Pass, a digital newsletter on the lighter side of basketball, has released its 50th issue. Weaving basketball with pop culture, previous issues have explored NBA player cameos on Parks and Rec and Portlandia, proper ways to celebrate a game-winning shot, and strategies for catching a T-shirt at sporting events.
Sandra Beckwith's Build Book Buzz book marketing website was named to The Write Life's "100 Best Websites for Writers" for the third time. It's the eighth time her site has been recognized for excellence. See the full list at https://thewritelife.com/best-websites-for-writers-2021/.
Do you have professional news you’d like to share with the group? A new job, a story you’ve published (in article, blog post, book, cave painting, etc. form), a new project you’ve launched, an interview with someone fascinating, a speaking gig? Send your news (50 words or less) and a link if applicable to Holly Lebe (that’s .co like Coco Chanel).
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Need Health Insurance?
ASJA
Through our new partnership with LIG, ASJA members now have access to an array of health insurance options. An LIG advisor will work with you to find affordable, ACA-compliant coverage from major insurance carriers across the USA. To schedule an appointment with a licensed advisor, please call the LIG team at 877-963-7034 or visit www.ligmembers.com/asja.
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Looking Back At How the Media Covered the Inauguration of Joe Biden
Poynter
“Democracy has prevailed.”
With those words, Joseph R. Biden Jr. began his term as the 46th president of the United States.
He said, “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge.”
The speech — and really, the entire day — included many themes, including attacking a global pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans.
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Tip: 4 Tips to Start Your Career During the Pandemic
Journalism.co.uk
The coronavirus pandemic has made it a difficult time for journalists to take their first steps into the industry.
Freelance writer, Devin Windelspecht, compiled best advice from industry leaders for budding journalists on the job hunt during the pandemic, in this article for IJNet.
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Incite vs. Insight (Grammar Rules)
Writer's Digest
Robert Lee Brewer writes, "Whether or not you've hit your limit, I never tire of untangling homophones. For instance, incite and insight sound like the same word, but one is used to rile up the masses, while the other is used to glean knowledge (though I suppose that knowledge could be used to rile up the masses too, but I digress)."
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What Journalism Can Learn from Mutual Aid
Columbia Journalism Review
Darryl Holliday writes, "This spring, as the coronavirus ravaged the United States, mutual aid groups proliferated. In Chicago, where I live, I watched businesses close and people suddenly lose their jobs. I saw “essential workers,” mostly Black and brown folks from the city’s South and West Sides, taking the bus to fulfill their duties at the peak of the pandemic."
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How McKinsey and Company's 'Radically Better Organization' Framework Applies to Freelancers
Business 2 Community
More people are moving into freelancing than ever before. For some, it’s an imperative due to a lost job. For others, it’s a resiliency plan, taking on freelance work in addition to full-time jobs. Even big businesses are getting into bed with freelancers, hiring them more and more. There is some thought leadership on the subject of freelancing, but by and large it’s still an industry of individuals.
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5 Tips for Staying Organized All Year Long
The Writer
Carve out a time each week for organizational admin work.
Which task on your plate is the quickest to spiral out of control? Bookkeeping? Email? Reclaiming your workspace after a long day of research? Schedule a regular maintenance session to keep up with the accumulation.
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