ASJA 2017 Annual Writers Conference
 

ASJA Presents 2017 Outstanding Writing Awards 

All are welcome to the ASJA Awards Gala on Friday, May 5, 2017, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. Tickets for the Gala are available here. The presentation program will be emceed by Joanne Lipman, Editor-in-Chief of USA TODAY.

“Every year I'm amazed by the quality of writing produced by my ASJA peers," says awards co-chair Janine Latus. "It makes me proud to be a member."  Co-chair Salley Shannon agreed, adding “Lots of ‘can’t put it down’ reads on this winners’ list.”

The 2017 ASJA Award Winners are:

ASJA Writing Awards for Articles

The Arlene Award “for an article that makes a difference”
 “Tiger Temple Accused of Supplying Black Market” by Sharon Guynup, writing in National Geographic.

The Donald Robinson Award for Investigative Reporting
“How Casinos Enable Gambling Addicts” by John Rosengren, writing in The Atlantic.

June Roth Award for Medical Writing
“Checkmate: Beating Cancer at Its Own Game” by Kenneth Miller, writing for Discover

Blog Post
“Oh, the Perils We Face” by Rae Francoeur, writing in her blog, “Free Fall.”
Honorable mention: “Little Free Library” by Ellen Ryan, in her blog, “ryansite.” 

Business/Technology/Science
“Owl Wars” by Emily Sohn, for bioGraphic.
 Honorable mention: “Are we loving Monarchs to death?” by Susan Brackney in discovermagazine.com

Excellence in Reporting
“Out of the Shadows” by Maggie Ginsberg, writing in Madison magazine.
Honorable mention: “Officers who rape: the police brutality chiefs ignore” by Steven Yoder in Al Jazeera America.

First-Person Experience/Essays
“A Deeper Boom” by Gary Ferguson, writing for Orion.
Honorable mention: “Identity Lost and Found.  Growing up in the South, a multi-ethnic girl navigates the cultural divide” by Anjali Enjeti. The story appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Health & Fitness
"The Brain That Wasn't Supposed to Heal" by Apoorva Mandavilli, in The Atlantic.

Honorable mention: "This Mother Drank While Pregnant. Here's What Her Daughter's Like at 43" by Alexandra Rockey Fleming writing in The Washington Post.

How-to
“The Forgiveness Tour” by Susan Shapiro, for Salon.com. 

Lifestyle
"An Icy Hothouse of Change" by Todd Pitock, in Geographical

Opinion/Op Ed
"The Sadness of Solving a Mystery” by Cameron Walker, writing in Hakai Magazine

Profiles
“At Their Peak” by Christine Koubek, for Bethesda Magazine. 

Trade
"Taking Shergar" by Milton C. Toby, writing in bloodhorse.com.​

 

ASJA Writing Awards for Books

Biography/History
The Hundred-Year Walk – An Armenian Odyssey, by Dawn Anahid MacKeen. The judges called this book “two stories of courage in one rich narrative: a granddaughter uses her grandfather’s letters and diaries to follow his path through the World War I Armenian Genocide.” 

General nonfiction
In Good Hands: Investigating Death, Mystery, and the Lessons of Broken Trust in One Family Daycare by David Hechler. The judges said, “Riveting reading! Hechler masterfully builds suspense over the outcome of abuse trials. Small details help readers ‘see’ the characters. There’s also a primer for parents seeking a daycare center.”

Honorable mention: One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment by Mei Fong. The judges said, “This beautifully written book juxtaposes the author's own desire to have children against the ramifications of China's recently ended government edict.”

Memoir/Autobiography
Because of Eva: A Jewish Genealogical Journey, by Susan J. Gordon. Judges said, “Gordon nicely interwove history, her family’s story and her own personal quest. We liked how the story flowed and how tightly it is written.”  One judge noted, “it’s a beautiful addition to Jewish/WWII work.”

Honorable mention: Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable: A Family Grows Up with Autism, by Liane Kupferberg Carter.  Judges said, “This book beautifully captures the struggle and joy of having an autistic child.”

Self-help/how-to
The Cancer Survival Guide, by Charlotte Libov. Judges said, “This terrific resource is the book we’d want if diagnosed. It’s comprehensive, clearly written and has authoritative, up-to-date advice on the latest research and treatments for numerous types of cancer.”

Honorable mention: The Cocktail Hour Garden, by C.L. Fornari. Judges said, “You'll be drawn in by the glorious photographs and descriptions of flowers and backyard hideaways.” Fornari's ultimate message is that time spent with others in calming, outdoor settings is an investment in good health.


Awards Reception sponsored by: