Activities of EFA's NCarolina chapter will be posted here. For additional information, contact Scott Parker Bogue, chapter coordinator, at chap_nc 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
NC Chapter Meeting
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The NC chapter will meet on July 17 at 10:30 am at the Cameron Village Library in Raleigh. Pat Inman and MaryAnne Gobble will be co-coordinating. And the topic will be truly useful: "How do we take expertise from other professional lives (and from hobbies, and from things we do or know) and make a living with it in publishing?" If you can't make the meeting, but want to share your experience, send Pat or MaryAnne an email.
NC Chapter meeting April 10
Saturday, April 10, 2010
For this meeting, we'll be returning to the Cameron Village Library in Raleigh. Instead of working, we're going to play. Scrabble (can't let the NY contingent have all the fun), perhaps Speed Scrabble, and there are some other tempting possibilities. So far, there seems to be more interest in a morning meeting...final details to follow.
NC Chapter Meeting January 16
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Our January 16 meeting worked out pretty well - good turnout, and the expected basketball game-related traffic jams didn't affect us. On-screen editing was the topic, but of course, there was also plenty of networking. We were pleased to welcome two guests, both of whom jumped right in with questions and ideas. Next meeting will be in Raleigh, by request, and probably on April 10. Stay tuned.
NC Chapter Meeting Rescheduled
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The NC chapter's next meeting has been re-scheduled for December 5 at the Chapel Hill library. This has proven to be a most welcoming location. The topic will be on-screen editing, done hands-on as it was on August 1, and we will be meeting from 10:30 to about 3:30 to allow enough time. Come when you can, bring your laptop and your best tips, tricks, and questions! And bring a bag lunch; that way we can keep working.
Next NC EFA meeting
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The NC chapter met August 1 at the Chapel Hill Public Library. The topic, done hands-on style, was on-screen editing, with particular attention given to tips, tricks, and techniques such as advanced search, macros, file cleaners, etc. Nearly all brought a laptop, and we ran out of time long before everyone's questions were answered. Multiple "favorite references" were identified, and a number of them were handed around in hard copy for a brief review. This topic was so strongly received that we are planning our next meeting around it, and may extend the time to three or more hours - perhaps even all day.
April Meeting-moved
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The NC chapter met on May 2 at the Chapel Hill Public Library. What a great location! Big conference room, one wall all glass with a view out to a thick green forest. We hope to be able to get that room again.
The topic was Social Networking and non-Internet face to face networking, with emphasis on social networking because of its relative newness and rapidly-changing face.
The consensus seemed to be that a presence on LinkedIn or Twitter or Facebook might not guarantee future work, but it's something that prospective clients are probably going to use to find freelancers. It can also take the place of a formal website, for someone who isn't in a financial position to develop and support a website.
January 2009 Meeting
Saturday, January 31, 2009
The NC chapter met at the Cameron Village Library in Raleigh on Saturday, January 31. Twelve hardy souls (a new EFA member or two, several welcome guests, and a group of EFA stalwarts) made the trek, some from as far away as 160 miles.
The topic was Getting Through Hard Times -- staying sane as the economy hits the skids, weathering a downturn -- but just as important, the emotional and personal hard times -- dealing with fear, getting through freelance rejection, beating the blues. As always, there was much thoughtful discussion, and more than one nugget of wisdom.
Fall Meeting
Saturday, November 8, 2008
This fall meeting of the North Carolina chapter was co-chaired by Nancy House and Pat Inman in a tag-team format, which worked quite well. The topic was Editors' Tools: favorite references, style sheets, and editing & business practices. Members brought examples of the references that are important in your niche of the publishing world, sample style sheets, and other tools they use to organize information for editing, writing, indexing, project coordination, marketing, and business & financial record-keeping. Pat brought a virtual library of reference books; everyone contributed something.
The Business of Freelancing
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The next meeting will be held at the Cameron Village Library in Raleigh. By member request, the topic will be the business of freelancing, to include invoicing and bookkeeping, setting and raising rates, how to keep enough work but not get burned out, how to know which jobs to accept or decline, managing your overhead costs, etc. Coffee/tea and light goodies (to include Carol Rawleigh's brownies, I have it on good authority) will be served.
Marketing Yourself
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The NC chapter spring meeting was held at the Cameron Village library in Raleigh. Ten hardy souls braved the famous local traffic to attend. Three were guests; two of them are interested in joining the EFA. A sumptuous, but healthy, mid-afternoon snack was served by EFA member Rachel Hardy (thanks, Rachel!). The topic was Marketing Yourself, an evergreen topic that produced some interesting ideas during the usual lively exchange — perhaps a result of the participants' widely divergent specialties and circumstances.
New Year's Resolutions for Freelancers
Saturday, January 26, 2008
This new meeting location at Cameron Village Library turned out well for EFA members in and around Raleigh. We arranged a room for eight, but had to bring in chairs for two more (a good problem to have). The group included two new members and a guest. The meeting evolved into an intensive, energetic discussion about what it takes to get started in editorial freelancing. The questions and answers triggered many side discussions and led to any number of new networking connections. We even had an unexpected visitor, a young woman from the library staff who would love to get into editorial freelancing and who stopped in to introduce herself.
Social and Networking Meeting
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Beating Burnout
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Getting Started as a Freelance Magazine Writer
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Paula Spencer spoke about writing for magazines. We are in the process of writing up the talk on Getting Started as a Freelance Magazine Writer for an article to appear in a future edition of The Freelancer.
Networking
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Held at the May Memorial Library, 342 S. Spring St., Burlington, NC 27215.
Organizing Your Home Office for Success
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Professional organizer Katrina Solomon addressed the topic of Organizing Your Home Office for Success. As an extra perk, Katrina has agreed to give a free one-hour consultation to a lucky attendee.
Where Do You Find Freelance Work?
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Come with three ideas for a chance to win BIG! Added attraction: a silent auction (and no money required)
Project Management and Editing Skills
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Our speakers include editors from the nationally acclaimed publisher, Algonquin Books.
Networking
Saturday, July 9, 2005
Come and enjoy fellowship with other freelancers. A variety of appetizers/desserts were provided! At this informal meeting, we discussed FA business (including the upcoming National Conference), results of our annual survey (what topics meetings we'll cover for the coming year), and projects and types of editing our members were working on.
Marketing for Freelancers: Five Steps to Success
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Kim Fields, chapter leader, led a discussion on marketing that included five main points: discovering the difference marketing can make for your business, developing a marketing plan, focusing on clients, CLIP (How will clients find you/locate your contact info?), and don't forget to budget!
UNC-Chapel Hill Freelancing
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Guest speaker Ron Maner, Managing Editor, UNC-Chapel Hill Press, spoke about how to find out about freelancing positions with his press, what he looks for in a freelance copy editor/proofreader, why he re-hires a freelancer, and what type of work he has for freelancers. He’ll also answer your questions!
Tax Help for the Self-Employed
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Jennifer Clark, CPA, who is also self-employed, discussed SEP retirement plans, the benefits of incorporation, tax breaks for freelancers, and software accounting systems.
Negotiating Rates
Thursday, July 8, 2004
Sheila Buff, a longtime EFA member who has served both as a co-executive director and treasurer of the organization, can count books that have made the New York Times Best Seller list among her many freelance accomplishments. Hear her expertise on topics that are critical to building a successful freelance career: how to negotiate a rate with a new client, how much to charge to realize a realistic profit, when to ask a client for a raise, what other freelancers nationwide are charging.
Tech-Savvy Editing
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Speaker Karen McMahan of Do-It-Write Inc. highlighted the following areas: working with long-distance clients, on-screen editing, using a website as a marketing tool, and résumé tips for freelancers.
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