This year it’s all about “change,’’ isn’t it?  We’re transforming print sections, creating niche products and, every day, figuring out what to do next on the Web. AASFE can help.

We offer the smarts and support of more than 200 feature editors and a forum for debating and spreading ideas.  And we’ve made our membership criteria more flexible, too.

Editors who work with feature material but are not part of a newspaper group or syndicate can now join AASFE. Also, a new associate membership is open to those with a special interest in features journalism and to former features editors now engaged in an occupation other than journalism. So take a few minutes to sign up and then pass the word to someone you know who also loves features.

To join online, print an application to mail or to read the new membership guidelines, go to  the Join AASFE tab on www.aasfe.org.

AASFE has resources that will help you manage change and become a stronger editor. Our writing and section contests celebrate the best work in lifestyle and arts-and-entertainment coverage. Our annual conference offers three days of non-stop programming and networking, and our fellowship program is aimed at broadening diversity in the feature-editing world.

Your AASFE membership also brings you:

• Full access to aasfe.org, where you will find a complete list of all members, archives of tips and award-winning writing, a free job-posting page, and more.

• A monthly newsletter by e-mail to help you plan stories and sections. It will remind you of important dates, suggest stories and strategies and highlight interesting multi-media coverage. To be even more timely, we’re also sending a quick weekly tip this year.

• Access to the AASFE listserv, where you can quickly find editors to help with projects or issues you are grappling with. It’s a great tool for seeking and sharing tips.

In keeping with their records for innovation, AASFE and the Association of Food Journalists will offer a day of special programming during our annual conference in Houston Oct. 15-18. AFJ and AASFE members will share workshops on interactive projects and navigating change and, if all works out, sessions on how to conduct a wine tasting and consumer product testing in general. Our luncheon speaker will be legendary editor Judith Jones, who discovered cooking luminaries Julia Child and Marcella Hazan, among others, and who is responsible for bringing the Anne Frank diaries to the United States.

By the way, our conference is hosted by The Houston Chronicle, a Top Ten Feature Section winner for three years running.

Every day, AASFE offers help and hope for feature folks, in print and on line. Your support is critical, because an active membership is the engine—as well as the heart and soul—of this organization. Sign up for your AASFE membership today!This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Mary Lou Nolan

Assistant Managing Editor, Features

The Kansas City Star

AASFE President

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it