ASJA 2024 Conference Preview: Your Guide to Changing Times

They say the only constant is change. Truer words could not be spoken about the writing business. 

Writing is beset with change. It stems from cost cutting, AI, new preferences for getting news and entertainment, and the need to be more inclusive and equitable. The changes affect writers of all kinds, whether you write nonfiction books, memoir, or content for corporate clients, or work as a freelance journalist.

In its 75 years, ASJA has witnessed one evolution after another in the writing business. Through it all, we’ve provided education and resources to help writers surf the waves of change. We’ll do the same with the ASJA 2024 conference, which is designed to help writers build resilient, thriving careers in turbulent times. Read on for a sneak peek of sessions that do just that!

The 2024 conference takes place Sept. 24-26. ASJA’s signature client networking event, Client Connections 2024 – A Virtual Event!, takes place Sept. 26-27. Both events will be held online and are open to members and nonmembers. Extra Early Bird registration runs through July 19; find out more and register here.

ASJA 2024 Conference Sessions for Changing Times

The three-day ASJA 2024 conference features sessions with editors, authors, and experts who’ll discuss timely topics in three major freelance genres. Here’s that sneak peek:

Books

• Building the Dreaded Author Platform: What to Do Before Sending Out Your Proposal, on deciding how to effectively promote yourself ahead of writing a book.
• Genre Fluidity: How Switching Genres Might Turn a Yes into a No, moderated by Amy Klein, who turned her memoir into a Random House reported health book.
• Landing the Impossible Book Deal, a discussion of small presses, independent and academic publishers moderated by author and long-time ASJA member Sherry Amatenstein with Raj Tawney and other authors.

Journalism

• The Emerging Role of Advocacy Journalism, with award-winning journalist Deborah Jian Lee, senior editor at the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and other speakers.
• Breaking into AARP Publishing Empire, with AARP Executive Editor George Mannes, and other speakers.

Content Marketing Writing

• Going It Alone: Sole Proprietorship, LLC, or S-Corp, Which Structure is Right for You?, an evaluation of writing business structures that address changing employee classification regulations, with Rus Garofalo, of Brass Taxes, and other speakers.
• Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Content Strategist?, a discussion for content writers who want to expand their services to include planning, publishing, and managing content, with brand strategy leaders Alexandra Frost, Amelia Edelman, and Treasa Edmond.

Cross-Genre Sessions and Abigail Thomas-Estelle Erasmus Fireside Chat

The ASJA 2024 conference will feature several sessions for writers of all types. One covers the ethics of using AI as a tool in your writing business, featuring well-known freelance writing coach Ed Gandia, and editor and ethical AI advocate Amy Frushour Kelly. 

Another session is a fact-checking how-to led by Wudan Yan, award-winning journalist and founder and executive producer of The Writers’ Co-op, a business podcast and learning academy for freelance creatives.

The conference will close with a fireside chat between prolific author and memoirist Abigail Thomas, and ASJA member Estelle Erasmus, author of “Writing That Gets Noticed,” and host of the Freelance Writing Direct podcast. 

Previously announced keynote speakers include Krishan Trotman, author and founder of Hachette Book Group’s Legacy Lit imprint; Peter Shankman, serial entrepreneur, founder of the new Source of Sources service, and long-time freelance supporter; and David W. Brown, Temple University assistant dean and communications professor, award-winning speaker, author, student advisor, and columnist. 

Read more about the keynote speakers here.

Client Connections 2024

As of mid-July, close to two dozen clients have signed up to attend Client Connections 2024, ASJA’s signature event that offers professional members one-on-one meetings with top magazines, news outlets, books agents, and marketing agencies.

To participate in Client Connections 2024, you must be an ASJA professional member in good standing and must register for the 2024 conference with the Client Connections package or for Client Connections on its own. The deadline for registering for Client Connections is Aug. 30, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Find more detailed information about Client Connections 2024 and register here.

Conference Registration and More

ASJA 2024 conference registration includes access to all keynotes, sessions, ASJA networking celebration and business meeting, informal networking, and access to all recorded events after the fact. Register here. Members must be logged in to register; non-members without a username and password will need to create one to register.

Nonmembers who want to save on this year’s conference and become eligible to participate in Client Connections 2024 can apply to become a professional member and, if accepted, save up to $110 on conference registration, compared to nonmember rates. Apply to become a member here.

Subscribe to the ASJA Weekly newsletter and read the ASJA Confidential blog to keep up with conference news and updates about other ASJA events and benefits.