Recap of January 2006 luncheon

by Sandi Sumner

Barbara Brown introduced the January luncheon speakers Geoff Bederson and Aaron Selbig, saying, “There are different ways to reach the audience. We want to know how you start and sustain a niche newspaper.” Then she introduced Bederson, editor of Alaska Humanity News, and Aaron Selbig, editor of Insurgent 49

Geoff Bederson said his paper’s mission is to present a point of view in the public arena that doesn’t have a voice — an alternative voice that looks at everyday events with a broader and more in-depth view. He said Alaska Humanity News is not about laying blame, it’s about looking at human issues that underlie front page news stories.

Bederson indicated that production and economics are accomplished with a low overhead of about $3,000 per issue to print and distribute 15,000 to 20,000 copies. He wanted to convey that the writers who submit articles are given room for flexibility and that the newspaper pays between $75 and $400 per article to the writer. His background includes being a founder of the Humanity School at UAA, and he is a local business owner.

Aaron Selbig, Editor of Insurgent 49 indicated this publication first hit the street April 1, 2005 and even though the name exacts strong reaction, they also provide a forum for an alternative message and voice. He said, “I compare our mission to the American Revolution and Thomas Jefferson who stood up to big government. We are advocates for progressive ideas and organizations that include antiwar, conservation, native rights, social justice and women’s rights.”

Selbig indicated the concept began with a public radio show, then a web site followed by newsprint that includes a monthly crossword puzzle. He said, “Everybody has a story to tell and some things are better than others, but even if the stories are a little rough around the edges they are natural and spontaneous. They are insightful stories about politics, economics and cultural events. Our perspective is unorthodox. We believe we’re having the impact we want. Free speech is a gift and allows for the true _expression of inner feelings.” Selbig was formerly with the Alaska Press newspaper and several other publications before this venture. (No compensation is presently being paid to contributing writers.)

Jessica Cochran, producer of “AK,” APRN’s weekend show, will speak at APW’s February 2 luncheon about “The Making of a Radio Show.”

Jessica grew up listening to NPR in Washington, D.C., hopped north and west to attend college at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota – and continued the northwest journey to Alaska in 1996.

She has worked for Alaska Public Radio Network for seven years. As a reporter, she’s covered topics ranging from the annual silliness of Seward’s Polar Bear Jump Off Festival to the struggles of Alaska schools working to meet new federal education standards.

She served for several years as producer of APRN’s Iditarod coverage, periodically produces Alaska News Nightly, and mostly recently has served as producer of APRN’s statewide call in show, “Talk of Alaska.” Jessica’s off-duty interests include hiking, cross-country skiing and traveling.

Luncheon Information
Thursday, February 2
11:30 a.m.
Golden Lion Hotel
1000 East 36th Avenue
Anchorage

Lunch: members $16; others $18

Reservations: Email Thetus Smith by 10 p.m., Monday, January 30, saying you want a reservation for lunch. If you will have guests with you, please include their names, too. Or you may call 274-4723 and leave a message.

Four Consecutive Saturday Morning Workshops
Golden Lion Hotel, Anchorage, 9 AM to 11:30 AM
January 28, February 4, 11, & 18, 2006

Sandi Sumner, APW member and author of “Women Pilots of Alaska,” soon to be published “It’s All About The Journey,” and a funny mystery series in progress, will share her writing experience with others, in four Saturday workshops. Sumner says, “You too can write a book!” Her creative writing workshops will include how-to information on writing non-fiction, fiction and memoirs, or collecting and writing family histories.

Sumner says, “We’ll have fun planting our creative seeds and growing our writing together in an upbeat, supportive way.” She promises no one will fall asleep. There will be a continental breakfast with plenty of coffee to keep your eyes wide open.

The workshops will include:

In addition, the final workshop on February 18 will have an Authors’ Panel of Alaska’s Published Writers, including Mike Doogan, former columnist with the Anchorage Daily News. Learn how to get happily published in various ways, including self-publishing, and E-publishing.

Register now, seating is limited.
Cost for 4 workshops: $110.
Optional reading fee for three chapters or 45 pages of your current manuscript. Add $45 to the workshop cost. (Only available to participants.)

Send a check payable to:
Sandi Sumner
P.O. Box 672501
Chugiak, AK 99567

Please include your phone number and email address with payment for workshops. For more information call 907-694-2080 or email: sandisumner@att.net or check out Sumner’s website.

January 5 luncheon speakers Geoff Bederson and Aaron Selbig will speak about starting and maintaining niche newspapers:

Both papers seek to meet certain informational goals for the community:

A Q-and-A session will follow their presentations

Geoff Bederson is the editor of Alaska Humanity News
Aaron Selbig is the editor of Insurgent Media AK

Thursday, January 5
11:30 a.m.
Golden Lion Hotel
1000 East 36th Avenue
Anchorage

Lunch: members $16; others $18

Reservations: Email Thetus Smith by 10 p.m., Monday, January 2, saying you want a reservation for lunch. If you will have guests with you, please include their names, too. Or you may call 274-4723 and leave a message.