Activities of EFA's Boston chapter will be posted here. For additional information, contact Kristie Reilly and Jason Adam Warshof, chapter coordinators, at chap_boston AT the-efa.org. You must be an EFA member to join an EFA chapter. Chapter events are open to all members, guests of members, and freelancers interested in joining EFA.
Next Meeting
TBA
TBA
Previous Meetings
"Still Giving Thanks"
Monday, November 26, 2012
"Still Giving Thanks" is to be the theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Monday, November 26, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
"Fruits of Self's Labors"
Thursday, August 30, 2012
"Fruits of Self's Labors" is to be the theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Thursday, August 30, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
What Is Hot
Monday, July 30, 2012
"What is hot" is to be the way cool theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Monday, July 30, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may
be able to join us.
Time & Place for Face Time
Monday, June 25, 2012
This get-together is slated for Monday, June 25, at the usual time and
address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if (despite the rather short notice) you think that you may be able to join us.
Blossom, Lovely Metaphor!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
"Blossom, Lovely Metaphor!" is to be the theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Tuesday, May 22, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Steps in the Spring
Thursday, April 19, 2012
"Steps in the Spring" is to be the theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Thursday, April 19, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
Gloriously Laborious
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
"Gloriously Laborious" is to be the theme of the next meeting of the
Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This
get-together is slated for Tuesday, August 30, at the usual time and
address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave.,
Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be
able to join us.
Chuck Brandstater
Transcending Boundaries
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"Transcending Boundaries" is to be the theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Tuesday, July 26, at the usual time and address(at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
Chuck Brandstater
It's About Time
Monday, June 27, 2011
"It's About Time" is to be the timely theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Monday, June 27, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
Chuck Brandstater
Cheerfully Constructing a Client Cornucopia
Monday, December 20, 2010
"Cheerfully Constructing a Client Cornucopia" is to be the lightly seasoned theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This get-together is slated for Monday, December 20, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
Spurred by Synaptic Serendipity
Monday, November 22, 2010
What are some key things that you have learned recently outside school, with how much or indeed how little planning? This and other perhaps randomly identified questions are "slated" to be addressed at this event, scheduled for Monday, November 22, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
"Made May Flower?"
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
"Made May Flower?" shall be the theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This event will be taking place on Tuesday, May 25, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
October Feast
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
"October Feast" is to be the cheery theme of the next meeting of the Boston-area chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association. This event will be taking place on Tuesday, October 13, at the usual time and address (at 6:15 in the evening, at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.), in the basement Community Room.
Mark your calendars, and please let me know if you think that you may be able to join us.
Breathing Exercise
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Potential topics of discussion at that speedily approaching get-together will include strategies for dealing with waits (1) between projects, (2) before a first committed-to project for a client, (3) for feedback on a current project, (4) for staged delivery of materials on a current project, or (5) for compensation. (Takes deep breath.)
Defining a Largely Online Presence
Monday, June 9, 2008
What have you been doing or considering doing to enhance your online presence? Blogs or Web pages? Entries in the member directories for the professional associations you belong to? Or in subscriber directories for discussion groups you're subscribed to that have them? What about entries in LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, or services comparable to these? This was the theme of the June meeting of the Boston-area chapter.
Shoring Up Previously Much-Used Skills
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Have you found that skills acquired in or soon after high school and not much used since are — or until recently were — just a little refreshing short of coming in very handy again? Spring having sprung, such will be the theme of the next meeting. We'll meet in the basement Community Room of the Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA. Mark your calendars, and please write Boston chapter coordinator Chuck Brandstater if you plan on attending.
Novelty Near November
Monday, November 5, 2007
Discussion of marketing and work approaches was the focus of the Boston chapter's November meeting.
Soloist in Orchestra or Band?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
What sizes and types of clients was the subject of the Boston chapter's June meeting.
What April Showers Are Bearing Fruit?
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The theme of this meeting was marketing. It was held jointly with the New England Chapter of the American Society of Indexers.
Spring to Spring
Monday, March 19, 2007
How to shift gears to mark the new season was the topic of discussion at this Boston chapter meeting.
Indexing with Heather Hedden
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Especially for us folks back east, the peripatetic Heather Hedden, president of the New England Chapter of the American Society of Indexers (NEASI), graciously agreed to repeat her recent talk on freelance indexing at the Massachusetts chapter.
"It was a ducky, storied night"
Monday, October 30, 2006
The meeting was held on Monday the 30th (and what better way to mark the imminence of All Ain'ts Eve?) at the usual time and address, in the basement Community Room.
How Global the Village?
Monday, September 25, 2006
How Global the Village? How distinctive are the payment mechanisms and prior client-acquisition mechanisms you use (perhaps corresponding in a tongue not your own, for example) in the case of international clients, and how do they work for you?"
Labor to live or vice versa: the perennial balancing act
Monday, August 28, 2006
'Twas a week before Labor Day, and all that was said ... ' but I'm getting somewhat ahead of myself here. Our next meeting, to be in a somewhat different space. Specifically, we were in the 4th-floor conference room. (Mightn't "well-fed" be a nice way to conclude that first verse?)
What Price Independence
Monday, July 31, 2006
Somewhat following and somewhat in the spirit of Independence Day, a meeting wherein we discussed "What Price Independence". (What is most of value about freelancing, at what cost, and do factors such as globalization work advantageously or otherwise: These are potential agenda items, in a manner of speaking.)
To Take or Not Take Tests: Is That a Question?
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Naming That Price
Thursday, April 20, 2006
"Naming That Price" was the theme. The idea was to share thoughts on deciding what to propose to charge, what proposed payment levels to consider, and where to compromise.
Picking and Choosing (or Occasionally Compensating)
Thursday, March 23, 2006
We shared thoughts on how to assess whether a potential project is apt to be dreamy, just adequate, a learning experience at best, or disastrous, and on how to make the best of such less-than-desired situations as may arise.
The "Unslow" Season
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Tricky 'Treat' Issue: Garnering the Right Amount of Billable Work
Monday, October 31, 2005
Boo.
Networking with 'Siblings' and 'Cousins'
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Rewards of Freelancing
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Developing and Maintaining Healthy Client Relations, Phase 2
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Developing and Maintaining Healthy Client Relations
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Freelancing through the holiday season
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
How does the holiday season figure in your freelancing business? Do you send clients and potential clients seasonal greetings or even useful little gifts? Do you assess your business situation afresh and make New Year's Resolutions about it? Do you make a point of taking some time off? No need to answer now, but do bring your thoughts to the meeting.
Leveraging Memberships
Monday, November 8, 2004
Health Insurance
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Finding, getting found by, and working with international clients
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Getting Paid (and arranging for payment ahead of time)
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Identifying Niche Markets
Thursday, December 4, 2003
Written Contracts and Less Formal Arrangements
Monday, November 3, 2003
Brainstorming on Marketing Tactics
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Fine tune your résumé
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Ready to dust off that New Year's Resolution about fine-tuning your résumé or brochure? Here's your chance! (Along the way, you get to help colleagues to act on their own NYR.)
Annual Meeting Report
Thursday, July 26, 2001
The July 26, 2001 meeting of EFA Boston, attended by 18 people (including several repeaters), resulted in a basic plan for meeting dates and topics through April 2002. These plans are TENTATIVE; the structure and format is a work in progress. Details for meetings will follow as we get closer to each date.
Jana and Molly Set the Tone for July 26 and Future Meetings
Chuck asked if anyone wanted to suggest a topic for the next meeting. We (Molly and Jana) think it would be great for us to put our heads together to brainstorm about what EFA Boston and these meetings could be. We know that we need a chance to meet, mingle, trade stories and inside info, and grab some stimulation from other editorial pros.
We also know that without some thoughtful planning by the entire group, the potential for these meetings may not be realized. We'd like to propose this next meeting be an all-out ideas session about how to make this group happen. Come and noodle with us about questions such as —
What do you want out of this group?
What would make you absolutely come to the meetings?
Should meetings be held on a standard date (such as the first Tuesday of every month, for example), to help with a sense of continuity?
Should we hold meetings in different places once in awhile? At the MFA? By the Charles? On the Common? At the Boston Public Library? Should we have a games night once in awhile?
Should we be serious once in awhile and rope in a guest speaker?
Should we set up a resource-sharing network, for people interested in sharing office or other resources?
If the group is large enough, should we think about creating smaller groups (interest groups?) in order to get to know each other better?
With so much collective intelligence in one room, we're bound to find myriad ways to make EFA Boston meetings the professional support (with some fun thrown in) that will make them a "must" on our calendars.
If anyone knows of a place where we can meet (someplace with tables for games nights and chairs for topic nights), please contact Molly.
Thanks, everyone.
Meeting report submitted by Patricia Schmieg and Chuck Brandstater, with gracious assistance from others!
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