Activities of EFA's Central Massachusetts chapter will be posted here. For additional information, contact Eileen Kramer, chapter coordinator, at chap_mass AT the-efa DOT org. You must be an EFA member to join an EFA chapter. Chapter events, however, are open to all members, guests of members, and freelancers interested in joining EFA.
Directions to the Randall Library: Take Rte. 117 west to intersection with Rte. 62 at only traffic light at center of town. From Rte. 495: take Rte. 117 east at exit 27.
Next Meeting
Networking
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (7:00 to 9:00 p.m.)
The Central Massachusetts chapter is hosting a joint meeting with the New England Chapter of the American Society for Indexing (NEASI)Information about both organizations will be presented, followed by a facilitated discussion about networking to build a successful business.
Come join us for an evening of networking with fellow freelancers working in the areas of editing, indexing, writing, proofreading, and other publishing-related professions. Share your networking ideas, tips, strategies, resources, experiences, and yes, even your networking fears!
This meeting is open to members and nonmembers, freelancers, and those who might be interested in starting a freelance business. For more information, send email to chap_mass AT the-efa DOT org.
Previous Meetings
IT Needs of the Small Business
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Guest speaker Tim Resker, sales and business development director of The Computer Guys [www.thecomputerguys.com] discussed emerging trends in technology with an emphasis on the publishing world.
Increasing Your Client List
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Networking
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Writing Books to Build Credibility, Visibility, or Your Business
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Local Writers Read Selections from Their Work
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Networking
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Freelance Indexing
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Heather Hedden, president of the New England Chapter of the American Society of Indexers, will talk about the field of freelance book indexing. Topics included options for training in indexing, software available for indexing, the market for and marketing of freelance indexing services, and resources on indexing. The emphasis was on indexes at the back of nonfiction books, but periodical and web indexing were also mentioned. Through her business Hedden Information Management (www.hedden-information.com), Heather offers freelance services in indexing books, creating web site A-Z indexes, and developing corporate taxonomies. She also teaches an online workshop in Creating Web Site Indexes through the continuing education program of Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Heather previously worked as a periodical database indexer at the Gale Group and has also done some freelance writing of reference book essays and periodical articles.New England Writers Guild
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
For over twelve years, Glenda Baker has been the publisher and editor-in-chief of NEWN, a quarterly publication for writers devoted to helping new writers get published and to teaching through content and example. She is owner of The Write Way through which she conducts workshops, edits, and tutors. She has taught basic composition and fiction writing for over ten years through the Assabet After Dark program in Marlborough. Glenda is a member of the International Women's Writing Guild and teaches at the Guild's annual conference. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime. A graduate of the Famous Writers School, Clark University, and the 2001 Maui Writer's Retreat, Glenda was the first place winner in the 1995 Writer's World Fiction Contest, has placed in the top 100 personal essays and in the top 100 short stories in Writer's Digest Competitions. She was second place winner in the 2003 Worcester Magazine Short Story Contest and has been a judge for that contest.
General Meeting
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Ed McManus has written books, humor, commentary, and a comedy newsletter called The Jokesmith. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Metrowest Daily, The Boston Globe, and The New York Times. His new book, The Nana in the Chair and the Tales She Told, is about the author's Irish grandmother and her stories of magic lamps, leprechauns, and banshees.
Networking
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Marketing and Promotion
Thursday, November 3, 2005
Freelancer Barbara Donohue shared tips about marketing and promoting a freelance word-working business, learned at the 2005 Editorial Freelancers Association conference in October. She entertained our questions and ideas to contribute to the discussion. Barbara writes for companies that need technical or other complex material turned into understandable English. She also covers food, business, and a variety of other topics for newspapers and trade magazines.
Financial planning for real people
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Kathy Dollard is a Certified Financial Planner(TM) practitioner and founder of Nashoba Financial Planning in Boxborough, MA. She has been helping “real people” prepare for financial independence since 1999. As a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor, NFP provides comprehensive, independent, Fee-Only financial planning and investment advice. Kathy is a graduate of Boston University’s Program for Financial Planners. She also holds an MBA from Boston College and a BA in Economics from St. Lawrence University. "Financial Planning for Real People" – Real People must someday achieve financial independence. Real People are not investment portfolios; they need more than investment advice. Real People need comprehensive, holistic advice that takes into account their life cycle position, the fact that their house is often their largest asset, and that taxes are often their largest expense. Learn more about this unique approach to personal financial planning.
Piloting Your Career: Being at the controls instead of winging it
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Larry Linden has over 20 years' experience as a career consultant. His presentation focused on career transition, résumé writing, answering tough interview questions, networking, job search strategies, and self-marketing for success.
Editing Yourself: Building a New Career as a Freelance Editor
Thursday, May 5, 2005
Guest speaker Catherine Owens worked for 15 years in increasingly senior positions as a software project manager and business consultant. When her division was closed in 2002, she found herself staring at a depressed job market like a deer in the headlights. By going where the work was she developed a career as a full time independent contractor, and doubts that she will ever return to her former life. Catherine currently contracts as a technical editor for one client, and in her spare time does other freelance writing and editing work. She spoke about the joys and pitfalls of evolving from a full-time employee to a full-time freelancer, and provide tips on finding, getting, and keeping work as an editor and writer.
Writing Resumes
Thursday, April 1, 2005
Carol Nason, professional résumé writer, gave us tips on writing an effective résumé and, time permitting, will look at résumés if people choose to bring them. We will have ample time for Q&A as well as networking.
General Meeting
Thursday, February 5, 2005
Nan Fritz is founder and chairperson of nSight, Inc.—formerly Editorial Services of New England (ESNE). She spearheaded the formation of nSight's new Publishing Services division, and now spends her time overseeing its strategic direction and business operation. She began her career in communications at the US Department of State after earning BA and MA degrees in International Relations with a specialty in journalism. After her government work, Nan held staff positions at the University of Southern California, UCLA Press, and Davis Design before moving to the East Coast. She founded ESNE in 1982 after market research indicated a need for a firm committed to top quality in publications, especially writing and editing. She is an active presenter and participant in professional organizations, including the Society for Technical Communication, where she is an Associate Fellow and was recently president of the Boston Chapter, and Bookbuilders, where she is co-chair of the Endowment Fund.
General Meeting
Thursday, December 4, 2004
We shared job leads, exchanged business cards, practiced one-minute elevator pitches, and met other freelancers.
Working in Technical Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities in the Marketplace
Thursday, October 2, 2004
Tim Rosa is the founder and president of Tim Rosa Associates, Newton, MA (www.trassoc.com). Tim has over 20 years of experience in technical publishing. He learned the business by developing documentation and training solutions in the computer hardware, computer software, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. Since founding Tim Rosa Associates in 1991, his company has developed premium, award-winning content that demonstrates a clear commitment to excellence. Tim Rosa Associates works effectively with both start-ups and the Fortune 500 worldwide. The company uses a field-tested approach to content development, based on hundreds of successfully completed projects, that guides each phase of the development process. Tim holds a Bachelor's degree in History, summa cum laude, from Trinity College (CT), and a certificate from the Publishing Procedures Course at Radcliffe College (Harvard).
General Meeting
Thursday, August 7, 2004
Speaker Mary Anker is Vice President of Anker Publishing, an independent publisher of professional books, periodicals, and other information media. Established in 1990, Anker Publishing Company, Inc. is incorporated in Massachusetts and is located in the town of Bolton, a western suburb of Boston.
Create Your Own Marketing Brochure
Thursday, June 3, 2004
Working together, we developed marketing brochures to promote our freelance businesses.
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