How to Use Questions to Drive Your Memoir’s Narrative
According to memoirist and radio journalist Kat Chow, driving questions propel a narrative even if they aren’t stated explicitly.
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When It Comes to AI Transcription Tools, Writers Have Choices
AI transcription tools can eliminate hours of crushingly dull mental labor–if chosen and used with care.
Help Your Book Break Through to Reach Agents, Libraries, and Curators
Authors are committed to telling their stories, but when it comes to getting others on board—including key stakeholders like agents and booksellers—the formula for breaking through can feel elusive.
How Journalists and Writers Are Making AI Work – But Not Write – for Them
Multiple conference speakers shared how AI can be useful to those who love to write.
What Authors Can Do about Book Publishing Scams
“New authors just don’t have that level of sophistication to keep up with the scams that now are out there.”
ASJA 2026 Conference Day 2 Recap: Finding Your Next Opportunity
Freelancers need to overcome an identity problem, shifting from thinking of themselves as being “just a writer” to a communications expert.
2026 ASJA Conference Day 1 Recap: Satisfying That Community Craving
It’s a mean, cold industry, and ASJA writers are lucky to have found each other, President Darcy Lewis said to end day one of the event.
5 Last-Minute Things to Help You Prep for the 2026 ASJA Conference – And 2 You Can Do If You’re Not Attending
Last-minutes tips to help you get ready for the ASJA conference April 20-24, 2026, which takes place on the Airmeet online event platform.
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.
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…
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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…
WTH Are Moral Rights and Why Are They Becoming So Important?
Every so often the question pops up on ASJA’s Forum: “I got a contract that…
Self Publishing: It Takes An Army
Over the years, I’ve written/co-authored and/or ghosted 16 books, all published in the traditional way—with…
A Holistic Approach to Conference Preparation: Shopping Is Involved
Dear fellow ASJA Members: While solid information about getting ready for Pivot Publish Prosper: ASJA’s…
NYC 2017: Keynoter Lane Shefter Bishop: Whispering A Few Well-Chosen Words For A Film/TV Deal
This is the last of a series of Q&As with the four featured keynoters for…
Membership Has Its Privileges: Shop Talk
Looking for a way to expand your career without removing your butt from the chair?…
When Tragedy Happens: Speak or Be Silent?
Editor’s note: Several weeks ago, ASJA Confidential posed the question: What would you do in…
Tax Time! Examining Your Bottom Line
Most people look forward to doing their taxes with the enthusiasm normally reserved for the…
NYC 2017: Keynoter Jenny Blake, Changemeister Extraordinaire
This is the third of a series of Q&As on the featured keynoters for “Pivot….
ASJA’s Value Proposition: We Excel at Original Reporting
There’s a phrase that pops out from many of the help wanted ads I see…
FROM BOUNCERS TO TWEETERS: VOLUNTEERING AT THE CONFERENCE
Dear Fellow ASJA Members: Along with marching on its stomach, any successful army or endeavor…
Spotlight On: Beverly Gray: The Comeback Kid
Editor’s note: Ever asked yourself, “Why go to a conference when my writing is at…
Membership Has Its Privileges: Act Now! Limited Time Offer! Member’s Day at the Conference
Caffeinate your career with “Pivot Publish Prosper,” ASJA’s annual New York conference on Saturday, May…
Orange Journalism Part Two: Navigating the “Post Truth” Minefield
Fact-finding these days can be likened to excavating your cat’s litter box: Just when you…
Orange Journalism: Discerning the Facts During the Post-Truth Apocalypse
A recent closed ASJA Forum discussion initiated by member Mark Obbie unleashed a torrent of…
NYC 2017: Member's Day Keynoter Vanessa Hua, Poster Child For Literary Success
This is the second of a series of Q&As on the featured keynoters for “Pivot….
WWYD? (What Would You Do?)
Dear Fellow ASJA Members: Welcome to the new, improved ASJA Confidential! ASJA Confidential has been…
You Asked. We’re Delivering.
It’s always challenging to find the perfect balance between under- and over-communicating, especially in the…
The Future Is Now
Content Marketing World has convinced me that big data will change the way content is…