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ASJA
The Writers Emergency Assistance Fund helps established freelance writers who, because of illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work. If you are in need due to recent natural disasters that have occurred in the Houston area, in Florida or in other states, please check out the WEAF application requirements. ASJA Members seriously affected by Hurricanes Harvey or Irma will have their applications fast-tracked.
For those who would like to assist writers in need at this time, we encourage you to make a tax-deductible contribution to WEAF. (WEAF is managed by ASJA's Charitable Trust.)
A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a WEAF grant. However, applicants must establish a record of past professional freelance nonfiction writing over a sustained period of years, which means qualifications generally similar to those of ASJA members. WEAF does not award grants to beginning freelancers seeking funding for writing projects, nor does it fund works-in-progress of any kind.
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ASJA
Yikes! Just the thought is frightening. Ghostwriting might initially appear to be nearly risk-free: it’s your client’s name, not yours, on the cover. It’s your client’s ideas, not yours, that comprise the book. But issues of copyright, risk, privacy of those mentioned in the book, and your own liability can come back to haunt. That’s why ASJA is delighted to welcome Lawyers for the Creative Arts as a highlighted presenter Nov. 17 at Spotlight on Ghostwriting, ASJA’s new one-day workshop for both experienced professional ghostwriters who want to expand their practices, and for the aspiring author/clients who need to know how to best collaborate with ghostwriters to produce the books they envision. An LCA lawyer will be available as well for a writers-only Q&A, where you can ask difficult questions such as, how do you handle a factual discrepancy in a first-person account? What indemnification shields do you need? And other chilling topics. Sign up today for Spotlight on Ghostwriting.
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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.
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ASJA
For those of you pitching on September 13 between 2:00-3:00 pm Eastern, don’t forget to call in 10-15 minutes early, using the SAME PHONE NUMBER you used when you registered. Members who aren’t pitching can still register to listen in as ASJAers pitch editor Jameson Fink. The event will also be recorded and posted to the VPS page at a later date. For more information, visit the VPS page.
ASJA
If you're like many freelancers, you know what you’re worth but might be too insecure, uncomfortable, or shy to ask for better money, rights, or deadlines. Speaking up for what you want takes practice and courage – along with an understanding of how to negotiate. Drawing from a panel on negotiating she moderated at the 2017 ASJA annual conference plus new material, ASJA member Michelle Rafter will share tips that freelancers can use to get the contracts and pay they deserve. Discover strategies guaranteed to make a positive difference in your writing business.
That's what we'll talk about in this month's "Shop Talk" event.
Join us:
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
1 pm. Eastern (calculate for your time zone)
Register here.
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By Sandra Gurvis
One of my very best “friends” whom I have known all my life — possibly my best friend, depending upon the day or mood — recently encountered a content marketing fail in which the client refused to pay her, I mean the “friend,” after she completed the work requested. They said terrible things about her and her writing, insulting both her and by extension, her cats, who were none too pleased. My “friend” was very upset. She berated herself for not insisting on getting at least one-third up front, as she normally does. However, instead of calling herself a desperate loser (a not uncommon feeling when this happens, I’ve been told), she called ASJA’s content marketing guru and Board of Directors secretary, Jennifer Goforth Gregory. Along with the sweet comfort of common sense, Jennifer also dispensed some pearls of wisdom.
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ASJA
The National Writers Union/UAW Local 1981 filed a lawsuit against Ebony Media Operations and its parent company, Clear View Group, LLC., for unpaid wages on behalf of dozens of freelance writers collectively owed more than $70,000The case was filed in Cook County, IL.
The lawsuit names 39 unpaid writers, editors and other creatives Ebony failed to compensate for contributions to its print or web publications. NWU President Larry Goldbetter says this action was the necessary next step in the fight to organize freelancers when publishers seek to exploit creative labor.
“Oftentimes, freelancers are at the mercy of the publications they write for,” Goldbetter said. “They often lack union protections other workers have and many are afraid of being blackballed for speaking up about nonpayment.
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The WRITER
Writing a successful About Me page for your author website can make or break you, especially when potential agents, editors and publishers are looking you up. Figuring out how to start an About Me page can often be a daunting process, however. It’s easy to compile a list of publications and other noteworthy achievements, but if you can take the next step and create a story about your writing life — one that reflects your work and unique philosophies — you might be halfway there to creating a presence that is friendly and relatable enough to connect with readers.
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The Content Standard by Skyword
Here is what I did in the past hour and 36 minutes: scrolled Facebook, checked my business email, watched 90-Day Fiance (hey, don’t judge!), deleted spam comments on my website, ate an organic frozen fruit pop, researched this article, picked at my cuticles and added notes into a few other assignments I’m working on. To neurotypical humans, those actions might seem like choices, but when you’re managing adult ADHD, choice often isn’t involved in your impulsive, inattentive behaviors.
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Columbia Journalism-Review
CJR Editor Kyle Pope and our resident management guru Jill Geisler talk about moral dilemmas around when to report and when to help that arise with events like Hurricane Harvey, respecting the line between analysis and opinion, and how to accommodate employees with children in school and still be fair to those without kids.
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Business 2 Community
There’s a survey that’s been circulating around Facebook that states most freelance writers only earn $10,000 a year. They say it’s because there isn’t enough work, but I’m willing to bet it’s because they can’t close freelance clients.
Additionally, the same survey states that the top tier earners are only earning around $40,000. Most of my colleagues and I earn far more than that as writers and bloggers. Upon further investigation, I realized it’s because we have recognizable brands.
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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.
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