The Art of Co-Working Online
For writers, virtual co-working sessions add newness to sameness. And boy howdy, can they be good places to get stuff done.
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New at the 2026 ASJA Conference: The Coaching Corner
Writers can meet with experienced coaches April 23-24 from 12 to 1 p.m. ET for tips on writing, pitching, and running a freelance business.
What Freelancers Need to Know about the Latest Independent Contractor Rule
Different administration, different indie contractor rule. We explain what’s new and what you can do to make your opinion about it heard.
Laid Off Journalist? Why Freelancing Might Be For You, And What You Need to Succeed
Four former staffers turned self-employed writers share tips getting started, finding work, setting rates, defining success, and more.
2026 ASJA Conference Keynote: Tina Roth Eisenberg of CreativeMornings on How to Find Community
Photo Credit: Catalina Kulczar. As any active ASJA volunteer knows, communicating with other members on…
How to Pitch Stories About Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month
An ASJA member who’s Muslim and has a master’s in comparative religions shares ideas for covering various aspects of the Islamic holy month.
From 5 Minutes to 3 Days: How to Make the Most of Your ASJA Membership
Reap the benefits of belonging to the largest group of professional independent writers, regardless of how much time you have – here’s how.
I Turned the ASJA Virtual Conference Into a Writing Retreat with Friends – Here’s How You Can Too
A freelance writer shares how she transformed attending the virtual conference into an educational yet fun writers’ retreat with a friend.
NABJ Hosts Town Hall on Freedom of the Press
ASJA Vice President Participates in Gathering Assembled to Protest Journalist Arrests The recent arrests of…
Sign Up for Feb. 17 “Beyond the Page” Special Event on Diversifying Your Income
Successful writers and editors will explain how to monetize your existing skills by offering coaching, classes, retreats, and more.
Meet the Member: Adrienne Samuels-Gibbs on Using Her Journalism and Entertainment Industry Experience to Cover Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, and More
The Chicago writer’s approach to storytelling is defined by her deep entertainment industry knowledge and wide-ranging editorial vision.
Submit Your 2026 ASJA Awards Entries Now
The 2026 ASJA Awards for works by independent writers are now open for submissions and…
26 Ways to Get Your Money’s Worth from ASJA in 2026
How well do you know ASJA? Did you know that in the past year, your…
Need a New Year’s Writing Reset? Meditate.
Regular practice can bring your mind to a place of authenticity, which allows the quality of your writing to increase exponentially.
ASJA 2025 Year in Review: Change, Community, and Outstanding Committees
ASJA President Darcy Lewis breaks down the highlights of the past year, including an in-person conference, new management company, and more.
GEO Webinar Recap: What Writers Need to Know (Before It’s Too Late)
Key Takeaways* Generative engine optimization (GEO) helps content appear in AI search results.* Publishers are…
How to Build a Writing Business Working With Retainer Clients
I started freelancing almost two decades ago after leaving a job in corporate marketing. I…
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Membership Has Its Privileges: The ASJA Board of Directors
New to ASJA? Want to join or renew? Click here to find out more about…
Chicago Conference in Review: Here’s the Scoop
Due to other commitments, I was unable to get to November’s conference in Chicago, so…
Five Local Tips for Enjoying the Best of Austin in February
Editor’s note: If you’re planning on flying to Austin for Write in the Heart of Texas…
Writer Beware! Or How to Avoid Being “Catfished”
You may have heard the term “catfish” or watched the TV show of the same…
Welcome, Jessica Farthing: ASJA’s First Associate Member!
Editor’s note: Jessica Farthing was the first to become an associate member, but you can,…
Membership Has Its Privileges: Write for ASJA Magazine, Get Exposure and Make Contacts
Dear Fellow ASJA Members: I am always on the lookout for material for ASJA Confidential;…
Adding Diversity: Reading and Writing in Black, White and More
When I was a kid, I absolutely loved to read. It was such a treat…
Tara Richter: An Unconventional Approach to Publishing
ASJA’S two-day Chicago conference is almost here! “Spotlight on Ghostwriting” on Friday, Nov. 17 is for…
Train Your Brain to Recognize Inadvertent Plagarism
Few people care to tackle it head-on, and no one wants to admit it, but…
Secrets of Their Success – Jenna Glatzer: Uncovering the Ghost Behind the Book
ASJA’s Chicago Conference November 17 (“Spotlight on Ghostwriting”) and 18 (“Boosting Your Content IQ”). Sign…
All ASJA Members Get Plenty of Benefits
Prospective members: Why join ASJA? If you’re serious about freelance writing, it’s more of a…
Membership Has Its Privileges: Putting the Kibosh on Banned Books
Editor’s note: Banned Books Week is Sept. 24-30 and one of the great advantages of…
How to Find Your Writer Tribe
We talk a lot in ASJA about networking. Some of us have seen life-long friendships…
Asking For “A Friend:” Content Marketing Post-Mortem
One of my very best “friends” whom I have known all my life—possibly my best…
The Flexible Freelancer: Interview with Chicago Conference Presenter Monica Eng
A native-born Chicagoan who started out in the newspaper business and is now a reporter…
Freelance or Full-time? Let's Duke it Out! (Part Two)
Editor’s note: Which is better—freelance or full-time employment? ASJA Confidential interviewed members Cheryl Alkon—who went…
First World Problem #176: The Freelance Juggling Act (Part One)
Editor’s note: Want to get the full inside scoop about what’s going on in the…
Busting Ghost-Writing Myths: a From-The-Hip Conversation with Leah Nicholson of the Jenkins Group
Editor’s note: On Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18, ASJA will be hosting a…
Membership Has Its Privileges. Austin Conference: 5 Reasons to Get Involved
Editor’s note: As Susan Johnston Taylor, co-chair of ASJA’s Austin regional conference in February, points…
Why We Do What We Do
Editor’s note: Sometimes somebody says something so well and in such a compelling manner that…
Spotlight On: Member Julie Patrick-Barnhill: Getting The Most From Your Cheese And Crackers
Periodically ASJA Confidential spotlights a member who approaches their work in a fun, unusual and/or…
Membership Has Its Privileges: Seven Ways the Members-Only ASJA Forum Is Better Than Facebook, Twitter and Tinder
This post offers information about an ASJA member-only service. Interested in becoming an ASJA member?…
Chicago Conference: Arming Yourself for a Changing World
How many times has a client asked you if you could take on a project…
A Little Something on the Side: Hustles vs. Jobs vs. “Micros”
While publications and even blogs are paying less these days, resulting in even more emphasis…
The Best of Both Words (Not a Typo): Getting Away from It All to Write
The author of Un/Masked, Memoirs of a Guerrilla Girl on Tour, ASJA member Donna Kaz…
When Good Clients Curdle, Or How to (Mostly) Avoid Stepping in Doo-Doo
Dear Fellow ASJA Members: My daughter Amy lives in downtown Chicago and all the adventure…
Fresh Off The Grid! New Member Profile: Jan Bridgeforth Smith
Editor’s note: We are always on the lookout for fresh meat, er, new and veteran…
The Rodney Dangerfied of Research: Why Wikipedia Matters — Two ASJA Members Weigh In
Editor’s note: Wikipedia is like the kid nobody acknowledges at school but who everyone always…
$1 a Word? Accept No Less!
When Mridu Khullar Relph started freelancing from India some 15 years ago, she felt she…
2017 Conference Round-Up (In More Ways than One)
“Git along, little dogies” and “Moo,” were some of the thoughts flitting through my mind…