ABSW Briefings 2008-09: update

The ABSW timetable of forthcoming briefings, sponsored by The Geological Society, currently looks like this.

For venue times and directions, see bottom of post.

Picture - Authors Gabrielle Walker and Richard Hollingham (right) and literary agent Peter Tallack discuss "How to write a popular science book" at the ABSW's previous Briefing in March.

April 23 Copyrights & Responsibilities - POSTPONED! Our apologies - the speaker has been called away. This course will now take place on AUGUST 19.

£10 (ABSW), £25 (Join on night for £15 discount.)

Copyright issues for beginners - issues surrounding rights grab, intellectual property and essential copyright law for journalists. Especially valuable for freelances.

If you smith words for a living – whether as a freelance or staffer, or as a writer or commissioner – you need to know about intellectual property. This briefing will explain how copyright is the stock-in-trade of the writer, and the opportunities for earning it represents. It will deal with the balance between self-interest and duty that arises from the law of copyright and the associated issues of moral rights, attribution, the increasing problem of rights grab, and the special implications of copying in the digital age. If time and demand permit, it will also stray into simple law for journalists, and dream a bit about ways of improving the contract terms to which freelances have to submit.

May 15 Angling & Wrangling

£10 (ABSW), £25 (join on night for £15 discount) £5.00 Students

A high proportion of the words that appear in print or broadcast media have been generated by freelances. Self employed writers maintain offices, generate copy, send the invoice, collect the fee, police the use of their material and, often, carry the can. In every respect they are running micro-businesses. Their clients are mainly large corporations who are dependent on them for material to publish. To survive in this asymmetry, each side needs to understand the problems faced by the other. This briefing will look at issues of pitching and negotiating, how to couch a proposal, what editors look for, how to negotiate the detail, secure terms and follow through to payment.

The speaker, Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison regards himself as a fraudulent member of the ABSW. Sure, he does write, and has done it for a living, with roles ranging from staff producer/director in BBC television to lonely freelance churning out news and features for radio, magazines and newspapers. And he does have a bit of science, with a Physics BSc and a chunk of career developing new ways of teaching the stuff. But the skeleton in his cupboard is the long periods he has spent in management, both in large corporations and in developing small, high-tech businesses – even a stint working inside that most fearsome of business organisations, a management consultancy.

Attending

For both these talks, non-members will be offered the opportunity to join ABSW on the night. Those who arrive with their forms fully filled out will receive their £15.00 refund in the form of a reduced membership fee.Attendance at both events is limited to 25. Spaces will therefore be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note we are now offering student discount at £5.00 for "Angling & Wrangling", on May 15.

To reserve a place email ted.nield@geolsoc.org.uk now. You will be told if you have secured a space, and asked to send a cheque in advance to confirm it. Places unconfirmed within one week will be offered to others.Cheques made payable to ABSW should be sent to: Dr Ted Nield, c/o the Geological Society of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, LONDON W1J 0BG. Or you can use your PayPal account. Please make payments to absw"at"absw.or.uk. Please indicate in the box which course you are paying for.

June 05 (Note: Change of Date! Was June 18)

This evening will be a student special, where aspiring science communicators and journalists will be able to hob-knob with established professionals. More details soon.

July 16 Learned Society Magazines

Mark Peplow (Chemistry World) and Ted Nield (Geoscientist) on the world of learned society magazines - a great springboard for a writing career. Emily Baldwin (Astronomy Now) completes the line-up, as a "worked example".

Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount.)

August 19 Copy rights and responsibilities (postponed from April 23)

£10 (ABSW), £25 (Join on night for £15 discount.) No student discount.

Copyright issues for beginners - issues surrounding rights grab, intellectual property and essential copyright law for journalists. Especially valuable for freelances. If you smith words for a living – whether as a freelance or staffer, or as a writer or commissioner – you need to know about intellectual property. This briefing will explain how copyright is the stock-in-trade of the writer, and the opportunities for earning it represents. It will deal with the balance between self-interest and duty that arises from the law of copyright and the associated issues of moral rights, attribution, the increasing problem of rights grab, and the special implications of copying in the digital age. If time and demand permit, it will also stray into simple law for journalists, and dream a bit about ways of improving the contract terms to which freelances have to submit.

The speaker, Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison regards himself as a fraudulent member of the ABSW. Sure, he does write, and has done it for a living, with roles ranging from staff producer/director in BBC television to lonely freelance churning out news and features for radio, magazines and newspapers. And he does have a bit of science, with a Physics BSc and a chunk of career developing new ways of teaching the stuff. But the skeleton in his cupboard is the long periods he has spent in management, both in large corporations and in developing small, high-tech businesses – even a stint working inside that most fearsome of business organisations, a management consultancy.


September 17 Podcasts – new medium or just cheap radio?

Adam Rutherford (Nature Podcast) and Jeremy Webb (Editor New Scientist) speak for and against the utility of podcasts to science magazines.

Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount.)

October 21 See my blog

Natasha Loder (The Economist) and Charles Arthur (Guardian) discuss the interaction between mainstream journalism and a reporter's personal Blog.

Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount.)

November 18 TBA

December 15 (Xmas special, attendance unlimited) – PAWS before the punchline

Communicating science using drama and comedy. Timandra Harkness and Helen Pilcher will round off this evening, jointly presented with the PAWS Drama Fund.

Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount)

January 20 (2009) TBA

February 18 TBA

March 17 TBA

Please put these dates in your diary now and keep checking the website and the ABSW Blog for updates.

Charges

Briefings all attract a nominal charge. There will be special rates for ABSW members and a Student Rate. Non-members will pay a higher fee, or be invited to join on the spot to benefit immediately from the discounted rate. Rates will vary according to event - please check in each case.

PayPal at last!

New! You can now pay ABSW via your PayPal account, to absw [at] absw.org.uk.

Please write in the comment box that you are paying for a briefing and please say which.

Venue

The Geological Society of London, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG.

Directions

Times

Unless otherwise stated, all talks follow the same pattern.

• Coffee and Tea at 1800-1830
• Briefing 1830-1930
• Adjourn to pub 1930.

In the (temporary) absence of our Awards...

You will by now have heard the sad news that following the departure of Syngenta, no new sponsor was forthcoming to support the ABSW Awards 2007 this year. (Yes, I know it's confusing. The 2007 Awards would have been awarded in 2008. It's always been like that....)

But in the meantime, anyone with a burning desire to enter a science writing competition could take part in the Brain Science Writing Prize organised bythe European Dana Alliance for the Brain, the British NeuroscienceAssociation...

http://www.youramazingbrain.org/writingprize.htm

EMBO awards for science communicators

"The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) invites entries for the Seventh Award for Communication in the Life Sciences." You have until 1 May to enter this year's competition. Check out the details over on AlphaGalileo.Org.

Sorry, but this one is for working scientists. "The EMBO Award for Communication in the Life Sciences is presented annually to a life scientist in Europe for outstanding contributions to the public communication of science. The award highlights the exceptional efforts made by many scientists to combine science communication with a full-time research career."

Keep this one away from the news editor

New Orleans is a wonderful city, but you may not be able to get there if the newsdesk gets to read this: Reinventing the Press Conference: Chat Room Sessions from ACS National Meeting in New Orleans. They have now come up with yet another reason for editors keeping everyone at home.

The bottom line is that the Office of Communications at the American Chemical Society "is offering the news media the opportunity to join press briefings whether covering the meeting onsite or from a remote location".

ABSW Science Writing Awards 2007 Cancelled

It is with great regret that the ABSW must announce that, having failed to secure sufficient sponsorship for the 41st (2007) Science Writers' Awards, the Awards have had to be cancelled this year. They were, until last year, sponsored by Syngenta.

However, hopes remain high that the Awards Scheme will be successfully re-launched in 2009, when the World Conference of Science Journalism comes to London. The Awards for 2008, which will be presented in 2009, will also apply to materials created in 2007 - so that writers who remain particularly proud of a piece of work that they did last year will still be able to submit it for consideration.

Ted Nield, Chair of the ABSW and of the Judging Panel for the Awards, said: "Running these awards costs a large amount of money. Our last hope of obtaining sufficient sponsorship was snuffed out yesterday morning, and in view of the level of interest in the subject we are losing no time in telling people the sad news. We apologise if members have felt frustrated at the apparent lack of communication until now, but negotiations have been sensitive.

"These Awards, which we have been running uninterrupted since 1967, are the "Oscars" of science writing, and have served as a model for similar schemes all over the world. However, despite gargantuan efforts by Claire Jowett, Barbie Drillsma and the ABSW Committee to find new patrons for them, we have hit a brick wall. As the ABSW does not have the reserves to run the scheme without a sponsor, we have no choice but to cancel, despite several pledges of smaller amounts of funding, for which we are very grateful. We thank our supporters for their understanding."

"However, with the advent of the World Conference of Science Journalism in London next year, we have received strong indications that there is significant interest in sponsoring the Awards in 2009. In fact, a number have already indicated that they would be interested. So watch out for news of a re-vitalised, re-launched Awards scheme towards the end of 2008.

"And if you have just written the best piece of your career and are gutted that there won't be an awards scheme in which to enter it – fear not. The Awards presented in 2009 will extend their reach to two years (2007 and 2008) instead of the usual one."

ENDS

Barbie’s appointment

The ABSW's Administrator, Barbie Drillsma, was unanimously elected vice president of the European Union of Science Journalists' Associations (EUSJA) by delegates at the General Assembly held in Berlin at the weekend.

Other boards members are:- President: Hajo Neubert, Germany; Treasurer: Vesa Niinikangas, Finland; Secretary: Viola Egikova, Russia

Barbie says she will use her position to increase number of study trips for science journalists. Since she joined the Board this has been one of her main priorities. She also plans to raise the profile of the profession and hopefully get bags of money and much awareness of the world conference.

A full list of future study trips will appear on the website after Easter, so please check. However, applications are invited NOW for a place for a visit to Helsinki. This is to celebrate the Millennium Technology Prize, 2008 Award and the Millennium Technology Week. The Finnish state and Industry award prizes to the value of one million Euros for life-enhancing technological innovations.

The trip is planned for Sunday June 8th and will run through the 12th; but part-time attendance is permitted. And the good news is that all costs will be met – air fare, accommodation, transport and meals. An official invitation will appear by listserv and on the web after Easter, but please check your diaries as places will be quickly snapped up.

Contact Barbie on absw [at] absw.org.uk.

Upcoming ABSW Briefings

ABSW Briefing Sponsors 2008/09:

• Two top-notch training sessions from Mike Harrison
• Essential information for the professional writer
• Book now to avoid disappointment!

23 April 2008. Copy Rights and Responsibilities

£10 (ABSW), £25 (join on night for £15 discount) Note- Sorry, no student discount

If you smith words for a living – whether as a freelance or staffer, or as a writer or commissioner – you need to know about intellectual property. This briefing will explain how copyright is the stock-in-trade of the writer, and the opportunities for earning it represents. It will deal with the balance between self-interest and duty that arises from the law of copyright and the associated issues of moral rights, attribution, the increasing problem of rights grab, and the special implications of copying in the digital age. If time and demand permit, it will also stray into simple law for journalists, and dream a bit about ways of improving the contract terms to which freelances have to submit.


15 May 2008. Angling and Wrangling

£10 (ABSW), £25 (join on night for £15 discount) Note - Sorry, no student discount

A high proportion of the words that appear in print or broadcast media have been generated by freelances. Self employed writers maintain offices, generate copy, send the invoice, collect the fee, police the use of their material and, often, carry the can. In every respect they are running micro-businesses. Their clients are mainly large corporations who are dependent on them for material to publish. To survive in this asymmetry, each side needs to understand the problems faced by the other. This briefing will look at issues of pitching and negotiating, how to couch a proposal, what editors look for, how to negotiate the detail, secure terms and follow through to payment.


The speaker, Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison regards himself as a fraudulent member of the ABSW. Sure, he does write, and has done it for a living, with roles ranging from staff producer/director in BBC television to lonely freelance churning out news and features for radio, magazines and newspapers. And he does have a bit of science, with a Physics BSc and a chunk of career developing new ways of teaching the stuff. But the skeleton in his cupboard is the long periods he has spent in management, both in large corporations and in developing small, high-tech businesses – even a stint working inside that most fearsome of business organisations, a management consultancy.

Special Admission Price for each event:£10.00 ABSW members;£25.00 Non-members

(Sorry, there will be no special student rate for these briefings and no series discount.)

Non-members will be offered the opportunity to join ABSW on the night. Those who arrive with their forms (available for download from http://www.absw.org.uk/ fully filled out will receive their £15.00 refund in the form of a reduced membership fee.

Attendance at both events is limited to 25. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a place email ted.nield@geolsoc.org.uk now. You will be told if you have secured a space, and asked to confirm it by either:

• sending a cheque in advance, or


• making an immediate PayPal payment to absw [at] absw.org.uk using your PayPal account.

Places unconfirmed within one week will be offered to others.Cheques made payable to ABSW should be sent to: Dr Ted Nield c/o the Geological Society of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, LONDON W1J 0BG. There will be no refunds for places unoccupied on the night, and no cancellations will be possible after 1 week before the event.

Times: Tea and Coffee at 1800. Session 18.30 - 19.30

Venue: The Geological Society of London, Burlington House Piccadilly, where all future events in this series will also take place. The Geological Society is making its premises available free of charge.

• How to get to the Society
• venue
  
  

Singapore seeks "science writers in residence"

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research, or A*STAR, "Singapore's lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore" has released details of the Singapore Visiting Science Writer-In-Residence Programme.

There will be two residencies each year, lasting up to four weeks. A*STAR will pick up the cost of the round trip and living expenses in Singapore. The application deadline for the first year of the programme is 15 May 2008.

"We hope that this programme will allow journalists to gain new perspectives through a first-hand experience of science in Singapore at Biopolis and Fusionopolis. Singapore offers a unique, integrated environment that facilitates the sharing of diverse scientific expertise across biomedical science and physical sciences and engineering to push the boundaries of science and technology and create new knowledge for the benefit of society," said A*STAR Chairman Lim Chuan Poh.

ABSW Briefings 2008/09

Ted Nield (Chair, ABSW) has advance notice of a new series of monthly briefings that will offer careers relevant advice to students and established science writers alike.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the ABSW's 2008-09 briefing series, sponsored by The Geological Society of London. The briefing, entitled How to write a popular science book. This event is fully booked.

All events will take place at The Geological Society of London, Burlington House Piccadilly, where all future events will also take place. The Geological Society is making its premises available free of charge.

• How to get to the Society
• See the venue
  

ABSW Briefings 2008-09


Meanwhile the future programme of ABSW briefings is in the advanced stages of planning, with a full series of monthly dates already arranged for 2008/09 (see below).

Briefings Timetable 2008-09

March 13: How to write a popular science book Free

April 23 Copyrights & Responsibilities £10 (ABSW), £25 (join on night for £15 discount)

May 15 Angling & Wrangling £10 (ABSW), £25 (join on night for £15 discount)

June 18 TBA

July 16 Learned Society Magazines (student special) Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount)

August 19 TBA

September 17 Podcasts – new medium or just cheap radio? Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount)

October 21 TBA

November 18 TBA

December 15 (Xmas special, attendance unlimited) – PAWS before the punchline. Communicating science using drama and comedy.Students £2; ABSW full/associate £5. £10 non members. (Join on night for £5 discount)

January 20 (2009) TBA

February 18 TBA

March 17 TBA

Please put these dates in your diary now and keep checking the website and the ABSW Blog for updates.

Charges

Although the March 13 is free, future briefings all attract a nominal charge. There will be special rates for ABSW members and a Student Rate. Non-members will pay a higher fee, or be invited to join on the spot to benefit immediately from the discounted rate. Rates will vary according to event - please check in each case.

Programme

The full programme has not yet been finalised but the April and May events will both be presented by ABSW star trainer, former Committee member, and Committee correspondent on Copyright Alliance issues, Mike Harrison.

Forthcoming talks

The first two sessions will be focused training sessions for professional writers.

April 23: Copy rights and responsibilities

Copyright issues for beginners - issues surrounding rights grab, intellectual property and essential copyright law for journalists. Especially valuable for freelances.

May 15: Angling and wrangling

How to couch a proposal; what editors look for, how to negotiate a deal, secure favourable terms and follow through to payment.

Reserving your place

Special Admission Price for each event:

£10.00 ABSW members;
£25.00 Non-members
Please note there will be no special student rate for these briefings and no series discount.

Non-members will be offered the opportunity to join ABSW on the night. Those who arrive with their forms fully filled out will receive their £15.00 refund in the form of a reduced membership fee.

Attendance at both events is limited to 25. Spaces will therefore be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

To reserve a place email ted.nield@geolsoc.org.uk now. You will be told if you have secured a space, and asked to send a cheque in advance to confirm it. Places unconfirmed within one week will be offered to others.

Cheques made payable to ABSW should be sent to: Dr Ted Nield c/o the Geological Society of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, LONDON W1J 0BG

PayPal at last!

New! You can now pay ABSW via your PayPal account, to absw [at] absw.org.uk.

Forward programme

Other briefings, dates not yet decided, will include:

Don't look at the camera – from journalism to training

Making the transition from journalism to media training. Can a business in media training help finance a writing career?

Foreign Correspondent

What's it like to be a foreign correspondent for Science or Nature or New Scientist? What are the particular challenges of facing a different landscape? How long does it take to fit in? Are some countries worse than others?

See my blog

How blogging and the mainstream media intersect. What does blogging do for a newspaper writer? What about beginners? How does it help them?

A bit on the side

What's it like today writing for the media as a scientist academic? Who gets to make the transition from pundit paid peanuts to jealously guarded star writer? What about people who get academic jobs as a result of their star pulling power on TV as presenters?

One chicken a week

Top tips and big caveats on going freelance. How can you regain control on your life without losing control of your finances?

New media

What impact in general new outlets such as blogs/podcasts/vodcasts and contact sites like Face Book etc having on more traditional forms of journalism?



Ted Nield
ABSW Chair

New York is the world

If the USA can run a "world series" in some strange sporting event that ignores the rest of the planet, we shouldn't be surprised when the "First Annual World Science Festival" turns out to have an even smaller geographical spread. As the title of the press release puts it, World Science Festival Makes New York City a Grand Stage with Science the Main Act.

It all happens, it seems, in New York. But we will have to wait until April before we get full details of what is happening in NYC between 28 May and 1 June.