It’s hard to predict exactly what 2025 might have in store for freelancers and other self-employed nonfiction writers. But one thing’s for sure: the writing business will continue to evolve.
Two media industry experts will delve into how the industry is changing and how it could affect writers in keynote talks at ASJA: Always in Fashion, NYC2025, Feb. 24-26, which takes place at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. The keynoters are:
- Stephanie Chang, Vice President of Content and Global Editor at The Trust, the custom content studio for Dow Jones properties, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and MarketWatch. Chang shifted to working as a content strategy director, editor, and VP of content a dozen years ago after a career as an editor of consumer and business publications, including working as executive editor of PC Magazine.
- Emil Wilbekin, journalist, FIT assistant professor, and founder of Native Son. Years working in magazine journalism – including stints as editor in chief at Vibe and editor at large at Essence – helped Wilbekin hone his skills managing editorial strategy, content, calendars, and teams.
Along with announcing keynote speakers, ASJA is unveiling the full conference schedule. Get the details here.
ASJA 2025 Includes Journalism, Books, and Content “Slams”
Pitch “slams” – where writers have a minute or two to pitch a story or themselves to a panel of industry professionals – are always a conference highlight. The 2025 conference features three – a journalism pitch slam with editors at top freelance outlets; a book pitch slam with literary agents; and a content marketing letter of introductions slam with editors or editorial directors at major content studios or agencies.
The event features sessions on the three genres that most ASJA members work in, including:
Journalism. Sessions include reporting on true crime with bestselling author T.J. English; creating a podcast; covering historical figures; best practices for working with public relations pros; and how writing books can make you a better journalist.
Nonfiction books. Books sessions include landing a book deal; lessons learned from writing a debut book; creating a top-notch Amazon book page; secrets of scouring the internet for book research; and an “Ask the Experts” session where writers can pose questions to top publishing industry experts, including a book marketing specialist, literary lawyer, research librarian, and book doctor.
Content marketing writing. Sessions include how to use your experience and skills to create passive income; breaking into the beauty and fashion industry; writing case studies, writing for alumni magazines; and copywriting.
FIT Professors and a Pulitzer Prize Winner
The conference also features sessions that should appeal to independent writers regardless of their specialty. One focuses on the craft of writing, led by acclaimed features writer Lane DeGregory, who won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for her haunting article, “Girl in the Window.” A journalist who works for the Tampa Bay Times, DeGregory has won dozens of other national journalism awards and taught at universities and conferences across the country.
Another session is “Telling Stories in Pictures,” a discussion of documentary and multimedia journalism led by FIT professors Larry Tung and Elena Romero.
Conference planners will release more information about plenary sessions and keynotes in the first week in January.
The three-day conference takes place Monday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern time; Tuesday, Feb. 25, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET; and Wednesday, Feb. 26, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET.
The conference includes Client Connections 2025, offering ASJA professional members attending the conference the opportunity to meet one on one with top newspapers, magazines, content marketing managers, agents, and publishers. After following up, members often find themselves with new client contacts and assignments. Client Connections takes place Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1-4 p.m.
Early bird conference registration runs through Jan. 3 and is $459 for members and $559 for nonmembers. Early bird registration for the conference and the Client Connections 2025 networking event on Feb. 25, available only to ASJA professional members, is $559 through Jan. 3. Register here.
ASJA has secured a discounted hotel room block a two-minute walk from FIT at the Hilton New York Fashion District, 152 W. 26th St. Prices are $159 for one queen bed, $169 for one king bed or $189 for two double beds. Discounts are available Feb. 23-27. Attendees will receive a booking site link with their registration confirmation.
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ASJA, Book Publishing, Content Marketing, Craft & Writing Skills, Journalism, Pitching, Writing Skills