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ASJA Tip Sheet 2005-05-11
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
ASJA Tip Sheet
May 11, 2005
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
Looking for an expert or a great story idea? Let the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) monthly Tip Sheet help. Each month you will receive a complimentary e-mailed Tip Sheet that offers trends and other story ideas from nationally-recognized book authors and experts who are members of ASJA.
HOW TO USE THE TIP SHEET . . .
Using the Tip Sheet is simple. Just take a look at the tips from the authors on this month's sheet. If you'd like to build a story around the ideas in the sheet, or think that one of the experts is right for a story you have in the works, contact the expert using the information provided. If you have any questions on the Tip Sheet, please contact Andrea Collier at tipsheet@asja-pr.org, 517-487-1683.
DON'T SEE THE EXPERT YOU NEED IN THIS MONTH'S TIP SHEET?
ASJA has a host of experts available as resources. If what you are looking for is not in the Tip Sheet, check out our member directory at http://www.asja-pr.org/memdb/search.php.
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RELATIONSHIPS
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LEAD: DIVORCE FOR NICE PEOPLE
What: Does divorce really have to ruin your life? Is there a better - kinder, gentler, and smarter - alternative? Avoid the usual legal and financial pitfalls. Russell Wild, MBA, financial planner, and Susan Ellis Wild, JD, litigation attorney, authors of The Unofficial Guide to Getting a Divorce, are the only authors in America with the true credentials and expertise to provide 10 constructive steps toward a better future. Married for 22 years, divorced for several years, and the parents of two well-adjusted, school-age children, Russell and Susan have a unique perspective. Contact: Russell Wild, Rwild3@cs.com, 610-530-0078; Susan Wild, Swild@gmle.com, 610-871-1320.
LEAD: CELEBRATING AN IMPERFECT RELATIONSHIP.
What: Sandra E Lamb, author of Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion, details the secrets of writing those special messages that heal, reconnect, and express your love. Never forgiven Mom, or Dad, for forgetting to pick you up from the playground? Still hold a grudge that your sister got to go and you didn't? Were your last words - or hers, or his - unforgivable? Here's how to apologize, forgive, and/or write that message to repair your relationship and express your love. Contact: Sandra Lamb, LambBast@aol.com, 303-750-6860, www.sandralamb.com.
LEAD: AND THEY SAY MEN DON'T READ SELF-HELP BOOKS!
What: How to Please a Woman In & Out of Bed has been revised for a new edition. Filled with more hot tips for pleasing woman, relationship expert Daylle Deanna Schwartz provides insight into what women want and helps men to understand themselves more, too! How do you answer "Do I look fat?" without drama? How can you please her and still please yourself? What's the key to being her sexual god? These and many more answers are given in a loving, friendly and respectful manner that allows men to keep their women and their sanity. Contact: Daylle Deanna Schwartz, daylle@daylle.com, 212-688-3504, www.daylle.com.
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FITNESS/HEALTH/MEDICAL
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LEAD: SPRING INTO FITNESS - SO YOU CAN FIT INTO SPRING
What: Too busy for exercise? It doesn't take as much time as you think. Medical studies prove that just 15 minutes of daily physical activity can make a difference, say fitness expert Rick Bradley and medical writer Sarah Wernick, co-authors of Quick Fit: The Complete 15-Minute No-Sweat Workout, now available in paperback. The ingenious Quick Fit workout packs aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching into a mere quarter hour. And you don't have to change clothes or shower afterward. Contact: Rick Bradley, ricksquickfit@aol.com, 301-251-0538, www.ricksquickfit.com.
LEAD: PSYCHIATRIC SURGERY: TODAY AND YESTERDAY
What: The FDA recently gave preliminary approval to a surgically-implanted electronic device intended to treat depression by stimulating the nervous system and the brain. Jack El-Hai, author of The Lobotomist: A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness, offers a historic perspective on today's use of surgery to end the suffering of psychiatric disorders. His book is a biography of Walter Freeman, the physician who performed more than 3,400 lobotomies worldwide. Contact: Jack El-Hai, jack@lobotomist.com, 612-870-3488.
LEAD: THE FIRST DAILY HOROSCOPE BASED ON WOMEN'S HORMONES!
What: Move over, astrology! Hormonology, a daily horoscope based on the hormonal ups and downs in your menstrual cycle, is the newest, most accurate way to predict every aspect of your day, including mood, money, libido, relationship, career, and more. Developed by women's health journalist Gabrielle Lichterman and based on real science, her new book 28 Days: What Your Cycle Reveals about Your Love Life, Moods, and Potential shows you just how easy it is to read your cycle like a daily horoscope! Contact: Gabrielle Lichterman, Gabrielle@28Days-thebook.com, 212-987-4460
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LIFESTYLE
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LEAD: AMERICANS ARE MOVING TO THE COUNTRY
What: Retiring baby boomers and adventuresome Gen-Xers are leading a new back-to-the-land movement. These urban/suburban escapees see their move as an antidote to the stress of modern life, and they are developing a farming approach that mixes pleasure with a profit motive. Hobby Farm, the latest by Carol Ekarius, author of other country living titles, comes out this month. With its full-color format and broad overview of country living, it is an essential guide for anyone yearning for the simple life. Contact: Carol Ekarius, carol@carolekarius.com, 719-837-2737, www.carolekarius.com.
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FOOD AND TRAVEL
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LEAD: FOOD & WINE TIPS FOR COLORADO TRAVELERS
What: Colorado has skyrocketed from culinary backwater to foodie mecca. The state now boasts stellar chefs (including one of Food & Wine magazine's top-10 inductees for 2005), fabulous food festivals, vineyards and wineries, cheeseries, farmers' markets and more. Set against the splendid Rocky Mountain backdrop are taste treats that turn a trip into an epicurean adventure. Claire Walter, author of Culinary Colorado: A Food Lover's Guide, shares the inside scoop. Contact: Claire Walter, cmwalter@claire-walter.com, 303-442-7709, www.claire-walter.com.
LEAD: GREAT VACATION IDEAS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
What: Life is a journey. Here to help your readers escape the bumps and enjoy the ride through Northern California is travel writer Carole Terwilliger Meyers, author of the 8th edition of Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California. Kenny Kramer, the real Kramer, says, "Carole's guide is to Northern California as my tour is to NYC. Almost. Not that there's anything wrong with that!" Carole has been a featured guest on CNN News and the Today Show and has been quoted in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Contact: Carole Terwilliger Meyers, traveluv@aol.com, 510-527-5849, www.caroletmeyers.com.
LEAD: ROCK & ROLL
What: Even as Bruce Springsteen debuts his latest album, "Devils & Dust," the legendary rock club that put the musician and Asbury Park, N.J., on the international map is slated for demolition. Find out why The Stone Pony and other iconic addresses of America's musical heritage on the Jersey Shore have made the endangered site list. What's already been lost? Why did musicians come here in the first place? And, is music history still being made in Asbury Park today? Helen Pike, author of Asbury Park's Glory Days: The Story of an American Resort, has the answers. Contact: Helen Pike, helenpike@comcast.net, 908-489-1830.
LEAD: 15TH ANNUAL MISS EXOTIC WORLD PAGEANT
What: June 3-5 performers from around the world will celebrate burlesque at the Exotic World Pageant. Each year, this event draws classic and neo-burlesque performers to Exotic World, a burlesque museum outside of L.A. Performers share sequin-covered stories of the past and perform for the title of Miss Exotic World. Kelly DiNardo, author of a forthcoming biography on burlesque sensation Lili St. Cyr, can talk about the history of burlesque, the revival and how the two intersect. DiNardo will be attending the reunion and is available for on-location interviews or can connect reporters with performers. Contact: Kelly DiNardo, Kelly@kellydinardo.com, 202-547-0437.
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PERSONAL FINANCE/BUSINESS/EMPLOYMENT
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LEAD: REFUND CLAIMS: HOW TO GET BACK TAX DOLLARS YOU PAID YEARS BEFORE
What: Did you recheck your 1040 form and discover an overlooked deduction or some other slip up that could change your tax liability? There is an easy way to correct a mistake without any complicated red tape. Learn how from Julian Block, syndicated columnist, former IRS investigator, and nationally recognized attorney, who has been singled out by the New York Times as a "leading tax professional" and by the Wall Street Journal as "an accomplished writer on taxes." Contact: Julian Block, julianblock@yahoo.com, 914-834-3227.
LEAD: NEW BOOK SHOWS HOW HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PAYS OFF
What: The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 15 this year, but many employers still hesitate to hire people with special needs. The reason? Fear. They're afraid a disabled employee will cost them money, slow production or hinder other workers. Nothing, in fact, could be farther from the truth. Able!: How One Company's Disabled Workforce Became the Key to Extraordinary Success, by award-winning author Nancy Henderson Wurst, shows how a small rug manufacturer grew into a global, multi-million-dollar company not in spite of, but because of, its disabled workers. Contact: Nancy Henderson Wurst, nancybh@comcast.net, 423-499-5738, www.nancyhendersonwurst.com.
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WRITING AND JOURNALISM
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LEAD: MARK TWAIN HEADS LIST OF MOST ADMIRED WRITERS
What: A membership poll of The American Society of Journalists and Authors revealed that Mark Twain is the writer that professional writers most admire. Following close behind Twain, in second place, was William Shakespeare. Four authors - Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, and Philip Roth - were all a dead tie for third place. John Steinbeck came in fourth. E.B. White was fifth. The poll was taken in March 2005. Of 165 respondents, 13 voted for Twain; 12 for Shakespeare; 6 each for Austen, Hemingway, Dickens and Roth; 5 for Steinbeck, and 3 for E.B. White. No other author received more than 2 votes. Contact: Lisa Collier Cool, ASJA president, asjaprez@asja-pr.org.
LEAD: SIX-FIGURE FREELANCING: FOR REAL?
What: Forget the discouraging statistics you may have heard about freelance writing - a recent survey reveals that 30% make more than $50,000 a year, and a six-figure living is possible for those who know the keys to success. Sure, basic writing skills are essential, but freelancers who thrive embrace a business mindset; work as efficiently as possible; and develop relationships with editors, clients, and other professionals. Learn more from Kelly James-Enger, a former attorney, magazine journalist and author of six books including Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money. Contact: Kelly James-Enger, Kelly@becomebodywise.com, 630-795-1288, www.becomebodywise.com .
LEAD: NEED A SPOKESPERSON ON PUBLISHING OR JOURNALISM TRENDS?
What: ASJA can help with expert comments on such issues as magazine launches and closings, print or electronic books, writing contracts, journalism ethics, First Amendment cases, censorship issues, and a wide range of other media-related topics. Contact: (Ms.) Brett Harvey, executive director, ASJA, execdir@asja-pr.org.
LEAD: ASJA HONORS OUTSTANDING JOURNALISM
What: The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) presented awards to 12 members for outstanding books and magazine articles published in 2004 during the organization's annual Writers Conference in April 2005. Two of these writers were the first to win ASJA's new Arlene Award for "writing that makes a difference." The award was given in memory of the late Arlene Eisenberg, the bestselling author of What to Expect When You're Expecting and a long-time ASJA member. The organization presented its Career Achievement Award to Alvin and Heidi Toffler of Los Angeles, California. Full award details can be found at http://www.asja.org/media/nr050415.php.
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS
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Founded in 1948, the American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation's leading organization of independent nonfiction writers. Our membership consists of more than 1,100 outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing, each of whom has met ASJA's exacting standards of professional achievement.
American Society of Journalists and Authors, 1501 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY 10036. Contact: Executive Director (Ms.) Brett Harvey, execdir@asja-pr.org.
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