Media Advisory -- Interviews Available at ASJA Writers Conference
Media Advisory–ASJA Conference Keynotes, Presenters Available for Interviews
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
April 10, 2017
Contact us now to secure an appointment with one of our speakers, authors or journalists. Media passes also available.
For more information contact Sophia Bennett, (541) 505-6130, sophiamcbennett@gmail.com
WHAT: On May 5 and 6, attendees at the 46th Annual American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Conference in New York City will have the chance to hear from inspirational speakers, authors, workshop presenters and peers in the world of professional journalism. From May 4 to 6, ASJA conference speakers and leaders are available to speak to media organizations on a variety of topics.
WHERE: The ASJA Conference will take place at the Roosevelt Hotel, 45 East 45th Street in New York. Meet presenters at the conference hotel or arrange for them to travel to your venue. Journalists interested in reporting from the conference can apply for media credentials by emailing Sophia Bennett, public relations coordinator, at sophiamcbennett@gmail.com.
WHO: The following people are available for interviews at the listed times:
May 4 and 5 (morning only on the 5th): Lane Shefter Bishop. Lane is the CEO of Vast Entertainment, producer/director of multiple award-winning films and television series, and author of the book Sell Your Story in a Single Sentence: Advice from the Front Lines of Hollywood (W.W. Norton & Company). Interview topics:
**Her book and film career
**Why she chooses to focus specifically on book-to-screen adaptations, and why 45 percent of Best Picture nominees now come from books
**The evolving roles of producer and director
**What Hollywood can teach business leaders
May 4, 5 and 6: Sherry Paprocki and Estelle Erasmus. Sherry is the ASJA president and owns R.S. Rock Media, a custom content creation firm. She is a co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Branding Yourself and author of Content Marketing: 50 Ways to Tell Your Story and a dozen other books. Estelle is the ASJA conference chair and a writing coach and freelance journalist. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon and Newsweek and other national publications. Interview topics:
** The concerns of freelance writers today and how ASJA can help
** The economic opportunities for freelance writers
** The importance of a membership organization like ASJA for writers
May 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Vanessa Hua. Vanessa is a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, and author of the short story collection Deceit and Other Possibilities (Ballantine) and the forthcoming books A River of Stars and The Sea Palaces. Interview topics:
**Her short story collection (called “A searing debut” by O, The Oprah Magazine) or books
**Diversity in publishing
**Why stories about immigrants and people of color are more important than ever (in both fiction and nonfiction)
**The writing life and her writing process
May 5 in the afternoon, May 6 in the morning: Andrea King Collier. Andrea is a multimedia journalist and author who specializes in essays, health and wellness, and health policy. She will talk about how she developed her political writing specialty, what it cost her and what she gained. Interview topics:
**The cost and benefits of her transition from a health writer to political commentator
**The role of multimedia in modern journalism
**Diversity in publishing
**Latest trends in food writing (Ms. Collier serves as creative director for the Symposium for Professional Food Writers)
May 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Jenny Blake. Jenny is the author of PIVOT: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One (Portfolio/Penguin Random House). Prior to becoming a professional writer and business consultant, she spent two years at a technology start-up and five years at Google on the training and career development teams. Interview topics:
**Her book, podcast Pivot Podcast, and blog Life After College
**How to execute a successful career transition by doubling down on what’s already working (and leaving behind what isn’t)
**Self-care and moving beyond burnout
May 4, 5 and 6: Conference presenters, including Phil Sexton (former publisher of Writer’s Digest and publishing consultant) and Mary-Kate Mackey (author of Write Better Right Now: The Reluctant Writer’s Guide to Confident Communication and Self-Assured Style). See the full list of presenters and workshops for more details.
ABOUT THE EVENT: ASJA’s 46th Annual Conference, Pivot. Publish. Prosper, will help professional freelance journalists and authors grow their careers, writing and pitching skills, and professional networks. The event is open to members only on Friday, May 5 and the general public on Saturday, May 6. All activities will take place at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The conference fee is $299 per day or $549 for both days for members; $399 for non-members; and $125 for students. Register and get more information about ASJA (including details about becoming a member) at http://www.asja.org.