NAIWE and its members agree to adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior in all publishing and business transactions.
We will:
- Be honest: We will seek to negotiate contracts that are mutually beneficial and will abide by all applicable intellectual property and business laws.
- Be loyal: We will support the artistic, academic, and/or business goals of those we work with. We will treat each client’s creative works as private and confidential, and protect the integrity of information or documents entrusted to us for writing or editing.
- Be fair: If contracted to provide writing or editing services, we pledge to do so in a fair and unbiased manner, providing outstanding service based upon our knowledge and understanding of the subject as well as our professional expertise.
- Be competent: We will not accept contracts that we are unable to fulfill. This includes work that is outside the scope of the writer or editor’s expertise, or jobs that are presented with an inadequate time for satisfactory completion.
In addition, NAIWE will:
- Offer professional development: NAIWE will host monthly webinars on a variety of topics of interest to writers and editors, as well as maintain and expand its list of on-demand trainings. In addition, NAIWE will co-sponsor the Be a Better Freelance conference.
- Communicate promptly and courteously: NAIWE will communicate on a monthly basis to members about upcoming professional development opportunities as well as poll members to discover what topics they would like to see covered.
In addition, NAIWE members will:
- Continue professional development: Members will maintain, improve, and update their knowledge and skills through reading, classes, and networking with others.
- Communicate promptly and courteously: Members will use the preferred method agreed upon with the client while maintaining professional courtesies.
NAIWE and its members are bound by the NAIWE Code of Ethics. We commit to working with each other, our clients, and our agents, editors, and publishers with honesty and integrity. NAIWE invites you to join us and let the world know these are also the values that you live and work by and that you believe that business ethics and business success can work together for the good of the publishing community!
April Michelle Davis has been the executive director of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) since 2018. Prior to that, she was NAIWE’s Social Media Marketing Expert. NAIWE is an association that focuses on career building for writers, editors, and other professionals in the publishing industry by developing multiple streams of income; it helps its members market their products and services through social media, newsletters, and more.
She is also the coordinator for the Virginia chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association, a lifetime member of the American Copy Editors Society, and a freelance editor, indexer, proofreader, and author. April Michelle has taught courses through her own company, Editorial Inspirations, as well as for associations and colleges on topics such as editing, indexing, grammar, writing, and creating macros.
Her credentials include a master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Messiah College, as well as certificates in editing (University of Virginia), book publishing (University of Virginia), and professional editing (EEI Communications).
April Michelle has shared her insights about her career development by contributing quotes and vignettes to several books. She has presented sessions on various editorial topics to many groups, including the Virginia Writers Club, the Communication Central conference, Randolph-Macon College, the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, the EFA, Copyediting newsletter, RavenCon, and the Hanover Book Festival. In addition, April Michelle has published four books.
Writing Challenge Day 5
Writing Challenge Day 4
Writing Challenge Day 3
Writing Challenge Day 2
Writing Challenge Day 1
Words Matter Week, which is in its 16th year, is a holiday that is celebrated annually the first full week in March by the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors.
As a professional association, NAIWE is committed to helping its members succeed. All NAIWE members receive tools and training to help them grow in their profession, support as they meet professional challenges, and opportunities to develop their marketing skills so that they can create the kind of career they want.
I recently received a call from a woman looking to become a proofreader. She wanted advice to break into the field. It had been a while since I have received this type of call, but this is a call that I do receive periodically.