American Society of Journalists and Authors

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The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) was founded in 1948 as the Society of Magazine Writers, and is an organization of independent nonfiction writers in the United States. The membership consists of over 1,400 freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and other forms of nonfiction writing.^[1]

History

The organization was established in 1948 as the Society of Magazine Writers.^[1] In 2009 ASJA objected to the Google Book Search Settlement Agreement for authors.^[2] In March 2009, ASJA changed their policy regarding self-published authors.^[3] Fern Reiss (author of the Publishing Game book series) was the first self-published author inducted into the ASJA.^[4]

Objectives

ASJA helps professional freelance writers advance their writing careers. Members share candid data on writing rates, publishing contracts, editors, agents and more. Non-members benefit from our Contracts Watch newsletter, annual writers conference and writing resources. Editors and others can search our membership to hire experienced authors and journalists. ASJA is a member of the Council of National Journalism Organizations [1] and of the Authors Coalition of America [2]. All members are automatically enrolled into the Authors Registry [3]

The Society offers a number of services to the public, including:

• Answering questions from and assisting other journalists and publishing professionals through the ExpertClick [4] program.

• A mentoring program for beginning journalists.

• Contract Watch is a free electronic newsletter that informs independent nonfiction writers about the latest terms and negotiations in the world of newspapers and magazines. [5]

• The Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF) offers financial grants to writers in need. [6]

• Society publications include Tools of the Writer's Trade and the ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing [7]

• A database of willing members available to write on almost any nonfiction topic in almost any nonfiction venue or genre. [8]

• An associated Freelance Writer Search that permits editors and publishers to advertise jobs to the entire ASJA membership. [9]

• And a number of position papers on topics from contract tips to work-for-hire and indemnification clauses. [10]

Code of ethics

ASJA used to include a code of ethics in its membership directory and on its website, but it no longer does that, "probably because most publishers refuse to agree to many of its provisions".^[5]

See also

Journalism portal

• Conscience-in-Media Award
• Richard L. Neuberger Award

References

External links

• "ASJA: American Society of Journalists and Authors". http://www.asja.org/.  Web site, public section.
• "ASJA Member Benefits:". http://www.asja.org/benefits. . ASJA offers a large variety of member benefits.
• "ASJA Freelance Writer Search (FWS):". http://www.freelancewritersearch.com/.  Need a writer? FWS can locate one for you.
• "ASJA Writers Emergency Assistance Fund: (WEAF)". http://www.asja.org/weaf/.  WEAF has aided many a cash-strapped writer over the years, and you do not need to be a member.
• "ASJA Annual Writing Awards:". http://www.asja.org/awards/awards.php.  Awards for a wide variety of writing are given at the Annual Conference in April of each year. Here's a list of winners for all years.
• "ASJA Free resources for all writers:". http://www.asja.org/pubtips/pubtips.php.  Contract tips, e-wrongs about e-rights, much more.
• "ASJA Store:". http://www.asja.org/store/store.php/.  The store sells books, tee-shirts, and more.
• "ASJA Member Directory:". http://www.asja.org/memdb/search.php.  Web site, public section.
• "ShawGuides Info on ASJA Conference:". http://writing.shawguides.com/ASJA. 

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