As the season begins to warm up and bloom, birds have plenty of company in migrating to more promising grounds. For the past 47 years, ASJA’s spring writer’s conference has also encouraged writers to flock to the epicenter of publishing, New York City. “Authors, journalists and content writers will tell you that our profession is constantly morphing to suit the needs of readers,” says tri-chair and member Nancy Dunham. “The best way for writers of all specialties to stay ahead of those changes is to attend the New York conference.” Along with Nancy, members Carolyn Crist and Dorri Olds are chairing the conference, held on May 18 and 19 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. With what Nancy calls “the savviest, smartest and most plugged-in writers and editors as our presenters,” the 2018 theme—Navigate. Motivate. Captivate.—is right on the money for those seeking more green stuff. And we’re not talking about pastures.
This year, members and associate members can cash in even more by taking advantage of huge extra-early and early bird discounts. And if you aren’t a member or associate member already, joining sooner rather than later will exponentially make up for the investment. Member and associate members reap the benefits of Friday, Member’s Day, with (nearly) dawn-to-dark breakouts, networking lunches, mentoring sessions, a cocktail hour and awards ceremony. Full members can grab for the brass ring at Client Connections, brief one-on-ones with top editors, agents, and print and content publishers.
“There will be a plethora of networking opportunities, and besides the special members lounge, we will offer a subject area roundtable session so you can find your tribe,” points out Nancy. “Our welcome committee will lead an interactive, ‘getting to know you’ activity for new members as well.”
On both Friday and Saturday, “attendees can choose from a total of 46 instructive sessions, panels and discussions taught on concurrent tracks aimed at beginner, intermediate, and veteran writers,” she goes on. Tracks include Books and Beyond, Work Life Pivot, Pro Tips, Tool Kit, Pitching and ASJANext. Session topics range from the art of the essay to how to find a book agent to breaking into in-demand specialties including true crime and travel writing and much more. The conference also offers you a rare chance to hear and interact with preeminent professionals including keynote speakers Dan Jones, long-time editor of The New York Times‘ iconic Modern Love column; nationally known journalist and author, Katherine Reynolds-Lewis; and memoirist and educator Aimee Ross. But wait, there’s more! “In order to maximize your time we have continued the early-riser sessions that were instituted in 2017,” Nancy says.
This year, the conference has migrated to a new venue, the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. Located in the epicenter of midtown Manhattan, close to Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Times Square to mention but a only a few landmarks (it’s the Big Apple, folks!), the Sheraton offers spacious and modern accommodations and meeting facilities, along with an ASJA discount of $255 per night. (Early bird alert! You’ll need to book before April 25!) Even flying can be made cheeper, er, cheaper, thanks to an arrangement with Delta Airlines, which provides up to a 10 percent discount on some fares. Click here for hotel/flight details.
And now the part you may have been waiting for, the discounts. Rather than paying the regular registration of $299 per day or $549 for both, extra-early birds who sign up before Thursday, Feb. 15 pay only $249 per day or can get the combo for $399! Early birds registering between Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, April 7, pay only $269 per day or $499 for both. Click here to register.
Our NYC conference is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow freelancers, explore other writing genres and opportunities, make lifelong contacts (and contracts), and cultivate your writing dreams. “As past attendees will tell you, this is one conference that truly pays for itself many times over, in many ways,” observes Nancy. “Now that early-bird pricing is in effect, there’s just no reason not to attend.”
For more information on Navigate. Motivate. Captivate., ASJA’s annual New York conference on May 18-19, click here.