This message was sent to ##Email##
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
| |
ASJA offers so many opportunities for members to connect with potential clients and with each other, which hopefully lands us all more work. We'll feature member success stories each week. Share your success stories with us! Contact marijke@medhealthwriter.com.
Member Name: Suzanne Boles, London, Ontario Canada
Success Story: Assignment from Costco Canada
How I landed the gig: I got a Skype interview through ASJA Virtual Client Connections (VCC). I put together a list of stories to pitch and did it in the quick meeting. They were particularly interested in one. I did a follow-up via email and got the assignment. They liked the idea so much they decided to make it a longer piece — two-page spread.
|
Suzanne Boles |
|
READ MORE
With the annual conference a little less over a month away, on May 5-6, there is a lot to be excited about. USA Today even included the ASJA conference in their roundup of must-attend conferences for freelancers.
If you haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for? Don't miss out on the excitement, the fun, the networking and the connections. Come join us — and greet old friends and make new ones, because we all need to Pivot. Publish and Prosper in these trying times. The early bird rate expires this Friday, March 31! Register now.
 |
|
MasterWriter gives you Word Families , a unique reference dictionary that will open up a new world of possibilities for descriptive words, Phrases, Synonyms, Rhymes, Pop-Culture, a searchable Bible, the Definition and more. We recently added Figures of Speech, a new set of dictionaries which gives you instant access to Metaphors, Similes, Onomatopoeia, Idioms, Oxymorons, Allusions, Alliterations and Intensifiers.
|
|
By Sandra Beckwith
Audiobooks are the fastest growing category in publishing. Listen in as Julia Whelan, the narrator of Gone Girl and others, discusses what you can expect from the audiobook production process, whether your publisher is handling it or you're going the do-it-yourself route.
That’s what we’ll talk about in this month’s “Shop Talk” event.
Join us!
|
Julia Whelan |
|
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Time: 1 p.m.
Click here to register.
About our guest expert:
Julia Whelan has appeared in many films and television series, including ABC’s “Once and Again.” After receiving a degree in English and creative writing at Middlebury College and Oxford University, Julia began narrating audiobooks. She has since recorded hundreds of novels and been awarded multiple Earphones, SOVAs, and Audie Awards, and been named one of Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voices and Audible's Narrator of the Year. Learn more at www.jmwhelan.com and through Julia’s handle across all social media, @justjuliawhelan.
READ MORE
Steve Schulman Photography
Portrait and Street Photographer Steve Schulman, who will be photographing our awards ceremony on May 5, will also be shooting headshots at this year’s Conference. Steve is known for his engaging, relaxed style, quickly making writers feel comfortable and look their finest. Headshots can be used for book jackets, articles, social media, and all other professional needs.
Steve Schulman’s special package includes: a brief consultation with an expertly crafted 20 minute shoot — with original images ready to download onto your computer. All this for ONLY $175! That’s over 70% off his private studio rate.
Advance scheduling strongly suggested! When you are ready to schedule a shoot, please reach out to steveschulmanphotography@gmail.com. Sessions available on a first-come, first-served basis so don’t miss this opportunity. Make your appointment now! Accepts cash, personal checks, and credit cards (with 3 percent service charge).
READ MORE
Small Business Trends
When you’re a freelancer everything about work comes down on your shoulders. You do the creating, the bookkeeping, the press, the marketing and the cleaning up. It’s a heavy load to bear and it can lead to freelance fatigue. Freelance fatigue is exactly what it sounds like: exhaustion from the need to wear so many hats at once. The pressure to find clients, produce for them, track finances and promote your work can wear you down.
READ MORE
The Content Standard by Skyword
You probably had that one friend in college. Someone you didn’t like all that much, but kept around because they always seemed to know about the best parties. For those looking for freelance writing jobs, social media can feel akin to that friend — in other words, a necessary evil. It is no longer enough to be able to dissect complicated concepts into digestible and relatable copy or find witty and original ways to subversively spotlight a client’s product without ever mentioning its given name — you also have to be able to help share that content with the world.
READ MORE
The Huffington Post
According to a recent study by Upwork and the Freelancers Union, the most common places for freelancers to pick up work are friends and family, professional contacts and online job platforms, like Upwork, Freelancer.com, Guru and even Craigslist. This breakdown spells trouble for some.
READ MORE
USA Today
Carolyn Porter didn’t wait until she reached her front door. As soon as she saw the envelope from the Minnesota Department of Revenue on her way back from the mailbox, she tore it open to news she would be the subject of a sales and use tax audit. The freelance graphic designer, who lives in Minnesota, was terrified. But she’d been following one of the first pieces of advice she’d received when opening her business: Keep meticulous records in case of an audit.
READ MORE
By Sandra Gurvis
This is the third of a series of Q&As on the featured keynoters for "Pivot. Publish. Prosper." ASJA's 46th annual writers' conference. On Saturday, May 6, Jenny Blake will be speaking on her book PIVOT: The Only Move that Matters Is Your Next One (Portfolio/Penguin Random House, 2016). It covers “anyone searching for an answer to the question, ‘What's next?’” she says, which is basically most freelance writers. “If change is the only constant, let's get better at it.”
|
Jenny Blake |
|
Jenny’s first book, Life After College, was published by Running Press in 2011. That same year, after spending two years at a technology startup followed by five more at Google, Jenny moved to New York City to branch out on her own. Today as an author, career and business strategist/coach and international speaker, she helps people organize their minds, move beyond burnout and build sustainable, dynamic careers. She has spoken and consulted at Google, Yale, Parsons, MIT, UCLA, TEDxCMU, Best Buy and many others. Generous with ideas and advice, Jenny provides templates and tips to help you organize your book writing and promotion. Even more information can be found on her #PivotList newsletter and Pivot Podcast. ASJA Confidential caught up with Jenny during a brief respite from her busy book touring and speaking schedule.
READ MORE
By Jennifer Goforth Gregory
As an added bonus to ASJA members, we are having a mini-VCC the week of April 4 with Lilly (O'Donnell) Dancyger, Deputy Editor of Narratively, and Jennifer Carofano, Managing Editor of Nailpro, and Tracy Moran of OZY. Check out the Virtual Client Connections webpage for detailed information about the publications and what each editor is looking for. Be sure to check the pay rates before you sign up because the rates for these editors may not be a fit for all writers.
We know that VCC is a very important event to members that has resulted in many assignments over the past 18 months. However, it is very time consuming for both staff and volunteers and expensive to use the lottery matching software. In an effort to continue to offer VCC multiple times a year, the VCC committee is holding an April Mini-VCC to test out a first-come, first-served registration process. ASJA has successfully used first-come, first-served to fill cancellations during VCC as well as for SIGs and Virtual Pitch Slam. Based on how registration goes, we will then make a decision regarding registration for our next full VCC, which will be the week of June 5. Note that Client Connections at the New York Conference will still be a lottery and no changes are planned for this process.
The first-come, first-served registration for the April mini-VCC will open today at 2 p.m. Eastern and the link for the registration will be posted on the VCC website. You will be able to only register for one editor at this time and as soon as an editor’s appointments are filled, it will be removed from the registration form so you can sign up for your second choice editor instead. If there are any open spots with the other editor, you can sign up for additional appointments starting tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern. Note that you cannot sign up for a specific time due to the increased volunteer effort this would require. However, if you are assigned to a time that you are unable to meet, we will do our best to find another member to switch with you.
If you are not available to register today at 2 p.m. Eastern, ask a friend or family member to sign up for you. Since the registration is through Google Forms, you do not need your ASJA password to register, just your name, email, phone number, Skype ID and bio. To save time during the registration process, we are recommending you write your bio ahead of time. If you have any questions or concerns, please email JenniferGregory@nc.rr.com.
READ MORE
In an effort to enhance the overall content of The ASJA Weekly, we’d like to include peer-written articles in future editions. As a member of ASJA, your knowledge of the industry lends itself to unprecedented expertise. And we’re hoping you’ll share this expertise with your peers through well-written commentary. Because of the digital format, there’s no word limit, and our group of talented editors can help with final edits. If you’re interested in participating, please contact Ronnie Richard to discuss logistics.
By Mark Obbie
The newest, busiest topics in our members-only online forums
NEW MARKETS OPENING AT CABLE NETWORKS
Attention, new-client shoppers: A&E Networks appears to be gearing up online content areas tied to its Lifetime and History channels. One member suggests a way to cash in. (Join the discussion)
ANNUAL CONFERENCE PLANS
In the run-up to the ASJA Annual Conference, use the forums (starting with the conference’s own forum) to get a head start on your networking. Members are arranging room shares and social gatherings while sharing tips on making the most of the conference.
| 
Mark Obbie, Forum Chair
|
|
“CENSORSHIP BY PIO”
Besides grousing about overly controlling public information officers, what can writers do to work with or around media contacts while denying them control of our stories? (Join the conversation)
GETTING STUDENT FEEDBACK
In a no-frills online course where you don’t offer students direct feedback, how can a teacher get honest input on how students felt about the course? Tips on crafting a survey that gets responses. (Join the conversation)
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS: The latest posts seek writers to cover a Boston conference, a B2B writer for a regular gig, and many more. When you see freelance work opportunities, please share them in this forum — it’s a group effort.
Log in daily to see the latest discussions and check out tips on making the most of the forums. Remember, you must log in to the forums in addition to logging in to the members-only side of the ASJA website.
| |
Freelance Writer Search Listings |
|
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
|
|
Don't be left behind. Click here to see what else you missed.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
|
