Past events
Highlights from NSWA events, tours, and field tripsSelling your book idea with a science and nature focus
Members and guests joined us on Oct. 24 at the Seattle Times building to learn more about the book-publishing industry. The panel of speakers included: Elizabeth Wales of the Seattle-based Wales Literary Agency Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Seattle author of Crow Planet and four...
Mastering the Art & Business of Freelancing
A panel of five science writers spoke about the art and business of freelancing on Sept. 19 at Hugo House. According to the Freelancers Union, 54 million Americans are freelancers. What does it take to start — and maintain — a successful freelance career in 2017?...
As a science writer, what should you know about the upcoming solar eclipse?
Members and guests joined us Aug. 1 at the Pacific Science Center for a lecture by Dennis Schatz, nationally recognized astronomy educator. Dennis is an eclipse junkie, who not only knows the finer details of penumbras and the probability of clouds on Monday, Aug. 21,...
Walking the Denny Regrade with David B. Williams
Within 50 years of the Denny party’s arrival in Seattle, the city undertook several massive projects which permanently changed the topography of the city. Between 1898 and 1930, Seattle completed perhaps the most audacious engineering change by...
A Walk in the Woods: Get a New View on Climate Change at the Park and Pub
Rain rerouted Lynda Mapes' planned tour of Volunteer Park on June 15 to Canterbury Ale House, where she gave a talk to members and guests on her new book, Witness Tree. Mapes, Seattle Times environment reporter, discussed the year she spent living with a 100-year-old...
Science, Fact Checking, and the News
With the birth of “alternative facts” and the recent surge of interest in fact-checking the news, the pressure is high for the media and communicators to get their stories straight. The Society of Professional Journalists Western Washington and the Northwest Science...
Compelling Science Storytelling: A Pacific Northwest Workshop for Science Communicators
Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 28, 2017, for Compelling Science Storytelling: A Pacific Northwest Workshop for Science Communicators. This was a one-day workshop and networking opportunity in Seattle, with a special emphasis for public information...
Marching for Science, Walking a Fine Line
Like journalists, scientists have generally shied away from taking public positions on matters of policy or issues outside the specifics of their own work. The growing politicization of science, potentially massive funding cuts, and the upcoming March for Science are...
“Life” with Mark Owen Martin at Sundance Cinema
Members and guests saw "Life" with Mark Owen Martin, associate professor of biology at the University of Puget Sound, on April 15 at Sundance Cinema. After the movie, we headed to Blue Moon Tavern to dissect the science. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson and...
Calling BS: How to Filter the Fake and Translate the Truth — in the Age of Big Data
In an era of "fake news" and "alternative facts," how well can you draw the line on what counts as truth? What role do science writers play in spreading or exposing spurious science? On March 14, UW professors Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin West shared advice with...
Narrative and International Reporting with Chris Solomon and Wudan Yan
On Feb. 8, members and guests dove into two aspects of the craft of storytelling—longform narrative and international reporting—with the 2016 winners of our career development awards, Chris Solomon and Wudan Yan. The Lab at Ada's Technical Books hosted the event....
Thanks for joining us for #nswaparty2017
This year's can't-miss event for science writers in the Pacific Northwest happened on Jan. 5 in Bellevue at one of the world's biggest, most eclectic invention factories, Intellectual Ventures' Global Good and Research Laboratory. As members and...
NSWA sees ‘The Arrival’ with Richard Wright, UW linguistics chair
Yes, a Hollywood movie with a heroic linguist! Members and guests saw the "The Arrival" on Dec. 10 at Sundance Cinema Seattle. After the movie, we talked to Richard Wright, chair of of the linguistics department at University of Washington, at District Lounge. "When...
Post-Town Hall Hangout with Eric Vance
Can the way we think change our health? Members and guests met with journalist Erik Vance to discuss his new book, Suggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal, after his Nov. 21 talk at Town Hall Seattle. Vance's new...
Luke Timmerman: Entrepreneurial journalism and the world of self-publishing
Luke Timmerman spoke with members and guests on Nov. 9 about how he made the move into entrepreneurial journalism, and how he maintains his audience and model successfully. He also shared tips and advice on self-publishing a book. Almost two years ago local journalist...