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WMW 2023 Writing Challenge Day 4

March 9, 2023 1 Comment

Have you heard insincere words that caused you to rethink the character of the speaker? Was it the tone of voice, the actual words? What made you doubt the sincerity of the words?

 

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 #WMW2023 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 2023 Writing Challenge Day 3

March 8, 2023 2 Comments

What is your favorite quote? What words in it make it your favorite quote?

 

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 #WMW2023 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 2023 Writing Challenge Day 2

March 7, 2023 1 Comment

Word Choice. Inner Thoughts. Open Book. What do these three have in common?

 

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 #WMW2023 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 2023 Writing Challenge Day 1

March 6, 2023 1 Comment

Walk like you talk. How do your words reflect in your actions?

 

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 #WMW2023 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 5, 2023 2 Comments

Words Matter Week, which is in its 15th 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 #WMW2023, #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

Karin Beery, NAIWE’s Fiction Expert

March 3, 2023 1 Comment

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

What role do editors play in the publishing process?

Editors are the diamond cutters of the publishing world–they see the potential in a manuscript and help their authors cut and polish their books until they shine.

What role do agents play in the publishing process?

Agents are often called the gatekeepers–authors need to go through an agent before they can reach many publishing houses–but they’re more than that. They’re almost like an older sibling. They’ll fight with you and support you to see your project succeed, but they also need to be brutally honest (regarding your manuscript and the publishing process) to help you do it.

Can the same manuscript be published in the different publishing methods? (self, traditional, hybrid)

That depends on the contracts you’ve signed. Who owns the rights and for how long? It’s possible to self-publish a book, then have it picked up by a traditional publisher. It’s also possible that a traditional publisher will release the rights of a book back to the author, allowing him/her to self-publish. Hybrid publishers also have contracts, so make sure you know what you’re agreeing to before you sign anything.

——————

What’s the difference between a freelance editor and an acquisitions editor? Do you need an agent? If you do, how do you find one? How do you decide between traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing? With so many options available to authors, it can be confusing (and frustrating!) to figure out the best route for your book. In this webinar, we’ll take the confusion out of editors, agents, and publishers and help you figure out which options will work best for your publishing goals.

You can join in this conversation on March 21, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on the publishing process. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Professional Development

Days to Celebrate in March

February 24, 2023 1 Comment

March: Small Press Month. Shine the light on many of the great authors, and publishing houses, around the world.

March 2: National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Day). This day is a motivational and awareness day, calling all children and youth in every community across the United States to celebrate reading.

March 4: National Grammar Day. Some people might suggest that grammar is a set of rules for language, but it is a system for understanding language.

March 5-11: Words Matter Week. Words are the basis for communication, no matter the language spoken. Even babies make sounds, which eventually are formed into words. Here at NAIWE, we know the importance of words, and we want to celebrate it!

March 5-11: Read an E-book Week. This is an opportunity for book lovers and writers alike to share their passion in digital form.

March 8: National Proofreading Day. This day was created to bring awareness to the importance of proofreading.

March 14: National Write Down Your Story Day. This day challenges you to tell your story in written form.

March 30: National Pencil Day. Hymen Lipman received the first patent for attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil on this day in 1858.

Categories: National Days

Actions for Writers

February 17, 2023 1 Comment

Writers are a fun group of people! In many communities, writers periodically get together for food, fun, and entertainment!

In my local area, writers get together for a variety of events, so all writers can find something to enjoy:

  • marathon writing sessions, where they write throughout the night
  • speakers from the publishing industry, so they can learn more about an aspect of writing or publishing
  • conferences, where writers of all types can find something of benefit
  • classes, so they can spend a few hours learning about a particular aspect of writing
  • socializing and networking events, times to just have some fun and intelligent talks
  • contests, to test your writing skills and compare them with one another
  • book fairs, so writers can make a little money off their passion
  •  … and so much more!

As a writer, what is your favorite type of event to attend?

 

 

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: Writing

Member Benefit: Discount on Voiced by Maya

February 10, 2023 Post a comment

Member Benefit #42

Professional audiobook narrator Maya James works with the ACX platform, connected to Amazon and Audible, and can also meet the quality standards for other platforms such as iTunes. Maya is able to meet deadlines and ensure high-quality audio with the help of a very strong production team.

 

NAIWE members receive 20% off audiobook narration!

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

Categories: Member Benefits

Jennia D’Lima, NAIWE’s Creative Nonfiction Expert

February 3, 2023 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Jennia D’Lima (NAIWE’s Creative Nonfiction Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

How do historical details add depth and context to nonfiction manuscripts?

Just like in a work of fiction, details contribute to immersing the reader in the story. They can also be used to heighten the emotions at a given time. For example, a manuscript may be primarily focused on examining the life of a frontier family in depth. A surviving diary entry from one of the members of this family may state a child came down with a disease that would not seem worrisome to contemporary readers. Including statistics for the mortality rate by age, prevalent issues for those who survived the disease, and typical length and severity of the illness would give the reader a better understanding of how the parents may have reacted to this diagnosis. Without this information, an included diary entry along the lines of “Mary was stricken with a fever; we believe she has scarlet fever” may not be given its due significance.

In some cases, these details may also add credibility to the author and any stances taken in the manuscript. This is especially true when making a claim or speculation based on little-known facts. Essential historical background to back up these positions will help decrease the reader’s skepticism while also creating a richer narrative.

What type of historical details should be added to nonfiction manuscripts?

Only those details that are relevant or will add to the reader’s understanding should be included. It is vital to remember that, unless the manuscript is being marketed as a history textbook, there is no need to provide more than the basics. As will be discussed in the webinar, the key is learning how to identify those areas that will most benefit from these inclusions.

Are authors also adding historical details to nonfiction manuscripts to educate readers?

Some are, yes, but this depends upon the author’s original intentions and the larger scope of the work. With a memoir, the focus may not be on education so much as sharing and providing a unique viewpoint. It could be argued this alone is a form of education though it may not be from a historical perspective. However, there will often be ways history naturally and logically incorporates itself even when that isn’t the main goal. For instance, when explaining a medical procedure performed even a decade in the past, providing details may be necessary to give the reader the required information for understanding how it was performed, why it was considered risky or not, and so on. The reader’s knowledge base has now grown despite the author only including this information for clarity-related purposes.

——————

Want to find out how historical details can add depth and context to your creative nonfiction manuscript? Apart from bringing credibility to your topic, these details have the benefit of helping your reader better understand the context surrounding your subject. This session shows how to sift through research and facts to find what will have the most impact and meaning as well as how to identify which areas of your manuscript would most benefit from these additions.

You can join in this conversation on February 27, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on adding some history to your manuscript. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Professional Development

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