Author: Darlene West

ASJA Pacific Northwest wrapped up the year with a virtual get-together and seasonal celebration on December 21st. Nine members joined the meeting, from Idaho, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Plans and goals for 2023 dominated the round-table discussion, with several writers working on new book ideas or proposals. Members offered advice and compared notes on…

When it comes to business expenses, document everything and keep good records. That was the advice of Debbie Brown, an Enrolled Agent and Licensed Tax Consultant who joined ASJA Pacific Northwest’s regular Zoom meeting in November to talk taxes.  Good records are important not only to be prepared for an IRS audit, she said, but…

Nine writers from ASJA’s Pacific Northwest chapter joined the October virtual meeting to share news on published work, market opportunities and projects in the planning. The chapter intends to continue hosting occasional guest speakers with expertise in various aspects of the writing business. Tax issues are on the agenda for November, while public speaking and…

Plans for transitioning content to the chapter’s new website and priority topics for upcoming guest speakers were on the agenda at the September meeting of ASJA Pacific Northwest. Sandra Beckwith, a book marketing expect, was unable to attend the meeting, but the chapter hopes to re-schedule her talk. Those interested in specific aspects of book…

Plans to enhance the chapter website were on the agenda at the latest Zoom meeting of ASJA Pacific Northwest, held August 17. Bruce Miller, a Seattle writer and regular contributor of technology-themed articles to the chapter newsletter, proposed moving ASJA PNW’s existing website from the WordPress.com site to a self-hosted WordPress site and volunteered to take the…

The July virtual meeting of ASJA’s Pacific Northwest chapter brought together writers living in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and visiting from Missouri. The monthly get-togethers are an opportunity for local members to share news and solicit ideas and advice on writing related work, marketing, and technology. Topics on the table this month: Feasibility of posting…

With ASJA’s new website now up and running for eight months, Darcy Lewis, website chair, and Laura Laing, ASJA president, met with the Pacific Northwest chapter in June to update members on website features, troubleshoot problems navigating the site, and talk about some of the challenges faced by the creative and technical teams behind the launch. ASJA…

Guest speakers scheduled for summer and fall meetings were on the agenda at the May 18th get-together of ASJA Pacific Northwest. Darcy Lewis, who was instrumental in designing and launching the new ASJA national website will join the chapter meeting on June 15, together with ASJA President Laura Laing, to update members on the new site…

The April meeting of ASJA Pacific Northwest brought together 11 writers from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. In member news this month: Carolyn Miller, ASJA Pacific Northwest president, plans to attend the Writer’s Advance PNW writing workshop at Mount Angel Abbey, a weekend retreat, in November. Sharon Elaine Thompson, in Salem, Oregon, is embarking on a…

ASJA PNW plans to invite an expert on book publicity to speak to the group this summer, while tax issues for writers and small business owners will be on the speaker agenda for fall. Also discussed at the virtual meeting, held March 16, were issues with the new ASJA website, including lack of content posted…