Learn from the best and most successful professional freelance writers in the country
In an ever-competitive world, freelance writers succeed by staying current with industry trends, learning new techniques and tools, and connecting with other writers, editors, and clients. ASJA is here to help. As one of the largest professional freelance writer organizations in the country, ASJA assists members grow their bottom line by providing timely and relevant knowledge on the craft, marketing, and business of writing, as well as access to experts, editors, and peers. Nowhere is this more evident than at ASJA’s annual conference, which this year takes place June 13-15. The 2023 conference is virtual but still chockablock with information meant to educate and inspire.
At the three-day virtual event, be prepared to hear from exceptional keynote speakers. Choose from expert-led sessions in three distinct content tracks: books, content marketing writing, and journalism. Drop by informal snack chats to hear from experts and mingle with fellow attendees. Learn how to work smarter. Make new connections. Celebrate accomplishments with peers. You’re sure to come away with new insights, confidence, and ideas for taking your career to the next level. Once again this year, scholarships were made available to freelance writers and students from historically underrepresented populations; recipients will be announced on May 26 (contact Kristine Hansen with any scholarship questions).
For detailed information, visit the Client Connections page.
Early Registration – Through May 15, 2023
$275 – Full Registration
$200 – Single Track Registration
$125 – Single Day Registration
Regular Registration – After May 15, 2023
$325 – Full Registration
$245- Single Track Registration
$175 – Single Day Registration
Client Connections (members only)
$65: Bundled with full conference registration
$75: Bundled with single track registration
$85: Client Connections only
Early Registration – Through May 15, 2023
$325 – Full Registration
$245 – Single Track Registration
$175 – Single Day Registration
Regular Registration – After May 15, 2023
$375 – Full Registration
$285- Single Track Registration
$225 – Single Day Registration
Scholarship applications are closed. Recipients will be announced on May 26. Questions? Contact Kristine Hansen.
From high-level craft discussions to practical tips and techniques you can use immediately, this year’s journalism track uncovers new markets, provides pitch opportunities, and delivers techniques to improve your writing and reporting skills and ways to build your business in this dramatically changing field.
From blog posts to white papers, our content marketing track will get you primed for more clients and more assignments. Whether you’re an experienced content writer or just branching out into this lucrative field, you’ll get up-to-the minute insights, featuring some of the most accomplished and knowledgeable freelance writers and clients in the country.
Writing and publishing a book has never been easier, but it can still be a confusing path. Sessions in this track offer insights relevant to both first-time and veteran authors on craft, planning, marketing, and the business of books, so you can deliver your best work and build an audience eager to read what you write.
Each day begins with a keynote address that will inspire and motivate. All 3 keynotes are part of the full registration or track registration fee; attendees who sign up for a single-day can attend that day’s keynote.
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Three subject tracks – journalism, books, and content writing – offer something for everyone, including sessions on the craft, business, and marketing sides of being a freelance writer or author. Speakers include professional writers, editors, agents, and publishers. See individual tracks for session details. Attend all sessions with a full conference registration, or register for an individual subject track or a single day.
Visit each track page for details!
These host-led conversations are designed to be informal, informative, and fun! Topics include podcasting 101, starting a literary salon, getting into ghostwriting, secrets from ASJA award winners, how to “unretire,” and more. Each day of the conference will feature three snack chats open to all that day’s attendees. Snack chats are included in the price for full, track, and single-day registration.
This year, plan on staying a bit late on Tuesday and Wednesday! Have a drink of your choice (that you’ll provide) and get bonus info, including the latest on ChatGPT and a run down on ASJA’s accomplishments and where we’re going as an organization.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Writers are the front line of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If we want to live in a more equitable and inclusive world, it’s on us to lead the charge. Janet Stovall has spent her career helping people do just that. Stovall’s experience as a self-described diversity pragmatist, speaker, author, consultant, and freelance writer makes her especially aware of the challenges that writers face communicating about social justice and DEI&A, and the changes we can make by doing it the right way. In her keynote, Janet discusses implicit bias, and what writers can do to uncover, question, and redirect the biases that can prevent us from writing objectively, compellingly, and impactfully. She shares inspiring yet practical advice for becoming more thoughtful about how you communicate based on her experience and her new book, The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t. Lisa Rabasca Roepe, ASJA Vice President and head of the organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility task force, will introduce Janet and pose attendees’ questions to her after her presentation.
In dual roles as Global Head of DEI at research and cognitive science firm, NeuroLeadership Institute, and founder of DEI consultancy, Pragmatic Diversity, Janet Stovall specializes in shaping and implementing realistic DEI visions and strategies that drive change and build culture. Stovall’s three TED talks about getting serious about inclusion have collected more than 2.5 million views. Ragan Communications named her one of the Top Women in Communications and a Diversity Champion.
Wednesday, June 14th
During a time of tectonic shifts, from evolving platforms to AI, how do you build and maintain a writing career? Business coach, writer, entrepreneur, and former ASJA board member Damon Brown breaks down the three keys you need to unlock your best writing future while still being true to yourself.
Former ASJA board member Damon Brown (he/him/his) helps side hustlers, solopreneurs, and other non-traditional creatives bloom. A best-selling author, 4-time TED speaker, and a long-time freelance writer for Playboy, New York Post, and others, Damon co-founded the popular platonic connection app Cuddlr and led it to acquisition within a year, all while acting as the primary caretaker of his then-infant first son. He now guides others through his consulting and coaching business, free weekly newsletter, and popular #BringYourWorth YouTube show, which airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. His latest book, Career Remix: Get the Gig You Want with the Skills You’ve Got is available wherever books are sold. Take his free creative resource quiz at www.buildfromnowquiz.com.
Thursday, June 15th
Books can take unexpected and at times challenging twists on the way to publication. The twists Ly Tran encountered writing her critically acclaimed first book, “House of Sticks: A Memoir” are as captivating as the story she tells in it of her experience emigrating from Vietnam to America with her family in the 1990s. Tran joins ASJA virtual conference chair Michelle Rafter in a conversation about her publication journey, the obstacles she encountered, the market for memoirs from writers in underrepresented communities, and more.
Ly Tran (she/her/hers) is the award-winning author of House of Sticks, a memoir detailing her family’s immigration to the US through a government program that helped resettle Vietnamese POWs. Ly shares what it was like to be a Vietnamese immigrant living in New York City, from child sweatshop labor to working in Brooklyn nail salons to dropping out of college. Ly has received fellowships from MacDowell, Art Omi, Yaddo, and Millay Arts. House of Sticks is her first book and has been named one of Vogue and NPR’s Best Books of the Year. Follow her on Instagram here.
We close out the first day of the virtual conference with the annual ASJA business and membership meeting and a report from ASJA President Emily Paulsen. Grab a beverage and listen to updates on ASJA’s diversity and inclusion efforts, membership engagement, chapter activities, and more. During the meeting, Emily will announce and introduce the recipients of scholarships to attend this year’s virtual conference. Stay to the end to ask questions and share ideas about ASJA initiatives and upcoming events. Post your favorite cocktail or mocktail recipes in the chat, and we’ll take a vote to choose the favorite in each category!
ASJA President Emily Paulsen (she/her/hers) is a writer and editor based in the Washington DC area. Emily focuses on health and health care topics for online and print publications, health care organizations, government agencies, and non-profit associations. She is the co-author of three books and a former magazine editor.
What are AI writing tools and what the heck do they mean for me as a writer? Join keynoter Damon Brown and content marketing writing expert Jennifer Goforth Gregory for a virtual happy hour discussion of AI creative tools and services – including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bing, and who knows what other generative AI tools might be coming down the pike. Find out how some writers are already using the technology to make money, generate ideas, and improve their work, and the issues to be aware of. Bring your questions and a cold (or hot) drink!
Former ASJA board member Damon Brown (he/him/his) helps side hustlers, solopreneurs, and other non-traditional creatives bloom. A best-selling author, 4-time TED speaker, and a long-time freelance writer for Playboy, New York Post, and others, Damon co-founded the popular platonic connection app Cuddlr and led it to acquisition within a year, all while acting as the primary caretaker of his then-infant first son. He now guides others through his consulting and coaching business, free weekly newsletter, and popular #BringYourWorth YouTube show, which airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. His latest book, Career Remix: Get the Gig You Want with the Skills You’ve Got is available wherever books are sold. Take his free creative resource quiz at www.buildfromnowquiz.com.
Jennifer Goforth Gregory (she/her/hers) has been freelancing for over 15 years and writing about artificial intelligence for a decade. She wrote the best selling book The Freelance Content Marketing Writer and teaches writers how to use AI writing tools to help improve productivity. Her clients include Microsoft, IBM, AT&T, Google, Meta, Verizon and IEEE.
