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NAIWE Presence Offers International Streams of Income

March 15, 2024 Post a comment

NAIWE is a professional association that was founded in 2007 as the National Association of Independent Writing Evaluators. As the association grew, we discovered that our original name simply wasn’t big enough for our members or our mission, so our name was changed with the dawn of 2009. Although our name contains the word “National,” we are international in scope and reach, and our membership is not restricted by geographic borders. In fact, NAIWE is known internationally, and we welcome professional freelancers from all locations.

Members include novelists, copywriters and copyeditors, proofreaders, writing teachers and coaches, business writers and editors, academic writing evaluators, indexers, book cover designers, project managers, public speakers, and other specialists.

NAIWE provides an online presence, guidance for freelance best practices, and general support that allows readers, editors, publishers, and potential clients to find you.

To help members with their marketing, NAIWE allows content from member blogs to be easily found and shared on our social media platforms and newsletters. Today, NAIWE has expanded its focus to include helping its members develop multiple streams of income.

Our goal is to help you earn a living with words and have the career of your dreams.

 

April Michelle Davis, NAIWE Executive Director

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 three books.

Categories: Member Benefits, News

Member Benefit: Book Chat

March 8, 2024 Post a comment

Member Benefit #13

Your Book Chat interview will be highlighted on the NAIWE blog and podcast and in The Edge: Success Strategies for People Who Work with Words, one of NAIWE’s newsletters. This benefit has great PR potential, as you can post the recording of your Book Chat interview on your own site, and it will be archived on the NAIWE site for as long as you remain a member in good standing. Doing a Book Chat will provide an opportunity for you to share your story with readers or potential clients and network with other members. This is the kind of positive press that helps to build your career!

Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.

Categories: Member Benefits

WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 5

March 8, 2024 Post a comment

Writing Challenge Day 5

Write a definition encompassing the meanings of the words “achievement” and “success,” and name this new definition.

 

Prepare for the Writing Challenge

During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.

Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2024 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.

Categories: Events, National Days, News, Words Matter Week, Writing

WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 4

March 7, 2024 Post a comment

Writing Challenge Day 4

Other than personal, physical, and professional achievements, what accomplishment are you proud of and how would you want other people to benefit from it?

 

Prepare for the Writing Challenge

During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.

Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2024 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.

Categories: Events, National Days, News, Words Matter Week, Writing

WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 3

March 6, 2024 Post a comment

Writing Challenge Day 3

ImPROVEment: The word “prove” shows what has changed for the better.

Write about a word that demonstrates what has changed for the better in your life.

 

Prepare for the Writing Challenge

During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.

Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2024 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.

Categories: Events, National Days, News, Words Matter Week, Writing

WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 2

March 5, 2024 Post a comment

Writing Challenge Day 2

 In your experience, what has been the difference between growth and progress?

 

Prepare for the Writing Challenge

During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.

Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2024 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.

Categories: Events, National Days, News, Words Matter Week, Writing

WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 1

March 4, 2024 Post a comment

Writing Challenge Day 1

 The word “without” puts limits on what it is being referred back to. Write about a situation when the limit is for positive means.

 

Prepare for the Writing Challenge

During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.

Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2024 in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.

Categories: Events, National Days, News, Words Matter Week, Writing

Words Matter Week Begins Today!

March 3, 2024 Post a comment

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.

Words are the basis for communication, no matter the language spoken. Babies make sounds, which eventually are formed into words. Here at NAIWE, we know the importance of words, and we want to celebrate it!

We may only celebrate it for a week, but we believe in the importance of words all year long!

 

Spread the Word

Join us in promoting Words Matter Week! You have NAIWE’s permission to reproduce the poster on your website, with a link back to this page, and you may also print and display it. Please invite your friends to participate in this year’s event and show your support for Words Matter Week by placing the poster in your newsletter, on your blog, or in your social media. Words really do matter, so let’s spread the reminders!

 

Prepare for the Writing Challenge

During Words Matter Week, we host a writing challenge. Each day we will post a question on our blog and various social media outlets.

Respond to the question on your blog or social media page (be sure to include #WMW2024, #WMW, or #NAIWE in your response), and then link back to it in the comments of the corresponding article on the NAIWE blog. For each challenge you respond to, you will receive one entry (and a bonus entry for each response written on your NAIWE blog).

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing, and one person will win a fabulous prize, along with a mention and link in the next newsletter.

Categories: Events, National Days, News, Words Matter Week, Writing

Susan Treadgold, NAIWE’s Personal Energy Expert

March 1, 2024 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Susan Treadgold (NAIWE’s Personal Energy Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

Are the contents of this webinar just for women?

The content of the webinar is targeted at women, but men are welcome and will also benefit.

 

When many of us think of energy, we relate it to physical activities. What makes up the energy that you will be talking to us about?

Everything is energy. Anything that we come in contact with — be it food, a thought, or another person — it all either enhances or detracts from our energy.

 

Is it true that taking small actions are better than taking no actions? How do you recommend starting to build energy in our day?

Taking action and creating small habits that we continue to “stack” is the path to exponential energy. It all starts with a morning routine — to set up your day, week, month, and life — that you don’t need a vacation from!

——————

Join us for a masterclass with best-selling author Susan Treadgold as she unveils the secrets behind the six habits of high-performing women, with a focus on ENERGY. Susan Treadgold, international executive coach and an award-winning speaker, will share her wisdom gleaned from two decades in investment banking and a phenomenal 15-year coaching career.

Are you tired of feeling drained and overwhelmed? Ready to banish burnout once and for all? Drawing on a pool of extensive research driven, science-backed tools and strategies, Susan Treadgold will equip you with the keys to identify, master, and turbocharge your energy levels.

Brace yourself for a live event that will change the game.

You can join in this conversation on March 27 at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on developing more energy for every day. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

 

Susan Treadgold is a holistic high-performance coach, speaker, and multiple #1 best-selling author with nearly two decades of investment banking experience at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup. She empowers women to have more energy and success with the use of science-backed high-performance habits, executive presence, training and a personally curated longevity portfolio of cutting edge biohacking products. She is an award-winning artist, host of The High-Performing Woman talk show, and on the leadership committee of 5050 Women on Boards. She is a proud mother of two teenagers. Family is her love language, and as a board member of Roots of Promise, she is passionate about helping less fortunate kids.

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Professional Development

Book Review: How Not to Make Small Talk

February 26, 2024 Post a comment

2023 NAIWE Coffee Table Book Winner

 

How Not to Make Small Talk: The Unauthorized Rules for Inoffensive Small Talk

Author: Erin Berkery

Life is filled with situations calling for small talk. Company meeting. Office holiday party. Family get together. Supermarket run in. Community event.

However, many people are not good at making in small talk. In this book, Erin Berkery amusingly highlights the entertaining aspects of the pointless conversations people have almost every day.

The book began with an introduction that seemed a bit long for a quick read until the topic was unveiled. Setting the stage for the rest of the book, the author’s enjoyable and humorous tone made this well-known human interaction an entertaining topic (rather than the mild agony of stepping on a Lego, the author’s metaphor for participating in some forms of small talk).

Part 1 highlights some topics that should never be part of small talk conversations — some of which are! Erin provides reasons why each should not be a topic and includes sample conversations to highlight the points. The author even makes up statistics that almost sound plausible to add humor to the topic.

Erin’s numerous footnotes revel in the humorous tone, which add more personal thoughts on the topic and may stir up more smiles and laughter from the reader.

At the conclusion of each topic is a selection of three slightly horrible strategies to try. These small talk conversation starters never to try are witty and humorous. Although the selection seems a bit random and may have been more beneficial to the reader if the “horrible strategies” directly related to the topic that had just concluded.

The final section of the book includes several lists. First is a list of divisive small talk ideas, followed by a list of questions to confuse others. These lists are equally entertaining and include a few items the reader may want to try purely for the entertainment factor. The book concludes with a list of ways to end a conversation. While some may be a bit outrageous, others may be good ways to end a conversation that is dragging on.

This 95-page book with 57 witty footnotes makes for a fun read while waiting to be called into a doctor’s office or your boss’s office, preparing you for what not to say!

Congratulations, Erin Berkery’s How Not to Make Small Talk: The Unauthorized Rules for Inoffensive Small Talk for being a NAIWE 2023 Book Award winner!

Categories: Book Award Winners, Book Reviews

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