National Association of Independent Writers & Editors
Member Benefit #34
JSTOR provides access to more than 10 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources in 75 disciplines, and its JPASS is an easy way to access the world’s leading academic research. You’ll have superior reference materials from a wide range of subjects available to you to help ensure the accuracy and quality of your work.
NAIWE members receive 25% off annual memberships!
Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.
We wanted to get to know Ruth Thaler-Carter (NAIWE’s Networking Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.
What benefit of online networking can we count on in our businesses?
Online networking can create visibility that leads to new clients and projects that we can count on to sustain and grow our businesses, along with connections with colleagues who can provide advice, referrals, and shoulders to lean on.
How do we go about linking online platforms for networking purposes?
We can post versions of the same message or news to various platforms to expand the reach and impact of every networking effort and professional achievement.
Can we over-network?
When you’re spending more time on networking than on working, and not seeing any benefits from those networking efforts, you might be over-networking. When networking feels like a demanding chore rather than an enjoyable activity, you’ve probably been doing too much.
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You can join in this conversation on September 27, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on using online networking and more. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!
Today’s podcast episode is a Member of the Month episode, where we get to know one of our fellow NAIWE members.
Our guest today is Alfred O’Neill.
A.E.S. O’Neill grew up going to private school paid for by a mobster father, rocks out to the Grateful Dead and Beethoven for inspiration, reads comics to never lose his inner-child, and disregards most of society’s rules—except for the importance of decency, empathy and humanity. From a childhood marked by wiretaps, mob dinners, and FBI agents following his father, O’Neill learned to understand the complexities of love, crime, and human behavior that drives right and wrong. Despite all of his own life’s more challenging lessons, O’Neill knows that love will always win.
Q: Please share a little of your professional history with our readers.
As a marketing executive, communication in all forms was crucial to developing and articulating conceptual ideas and strategies – and in the last decade or so, travel blogging, fiction, and poetry also honed those skills. But writing and a chameleon’s ability with language for so many different audiences was a critical skill I was fortunate to have. I have written dozens of industry B2B articles, blogged for more than 15 years, and written a million presentations, dozens of public speeches, poems, and now novels. The influence of my working on a vaccine during the pandemic made extrapolating what could happen with Covid a few years out; l made it a mundane everyday danger and how we would adjust.
I tried to create a side career to be a travel writer because my wife and I were traveling to so many fascinating and magical places – like the New Years’ private Golden Eagle train trip through central Europe ending in Vienna. The travel blog’s motto was “Equal in praise and damnation.” It was also an expression of how she inspired me: www.outspokentraveler.com. Life got in the way of that pursuit, though the years of blogging honed my voice.
Q: How and when did you make this business a reality?
The two LLCs are AESON Publishing for my novels and writings and HarbingerAssociates.net for marketing consulting, which involves a fair amount of writing. Every month, I refine the juggling act on how the latter pays for the former.
I am fortunate that my marketing network is good, but it takes a lot of work to chase any project. AESON Publishing is still in an early phase, with the marketing falling into place as I move to finish book 2 in the series, “Even Climate Change Can’t Stop Love and Murder. Book 2, Paying the Price”. Publishing LLC is in the marketing and writing phases of establishing my voice in the crowd.
Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
Nothing is a straight line, so you need to be open, really open, to opportunities. Self-doubt can be a visitor, but not stay over, you have work to do. Always stop and recognize, in a humble and quiet way, your accomplishments. That is not Ego, it is healthy pride.
Q: Are you working on any personal writing projects at this time?
Number 2, in the 3-part romance crime thriller novel, “Even Climate Change Can’t stop Love and Murder.” Climate change is as evil and destructive as the bad guy white supremacists. Book one was “Even A Pandemic Can’t Stop Love and Murder”. www.evenapandemic.com
Ginger and Alby venture to Arizona. The road trip is wild and their Sedona escapades caught between love, bad guys and bad climate, flavored by their 1930’s-style banter make the story more humorous and heartfelt.
Q: Are you working on any special projects you’d like to tell us about?
National Gallery of Kindness. A side hobby but personally important. In my lowest moments of grieving, I became attuned to the kindness of people and wanted to celebrate it. Gallery of Kindness is the Facebook page, it is me being part of a community.
Q: What are some of the teachers, books, or authors who have influenced your professional life in a positive way?
Having a mother as a psychologist, archetypes and human behavior have always been a fascination, and Jung is a big influence.
My favorite books in the genre that influenced me are Dashiell Hammett, especially the Continental Op. Also, the Swedish detective writer from the 1960s, Maj Stowell, who was brilliant on all levels.
Back to the archetypes: on an ongoing basis I am always re-reading sections of Ulysses by Homer and a wide range of modern poetry. Last, I dabble in the ancients – Suetonius, Caesar, Agricola, Livy, Plutarch, Thucydides, Herodotus, Pliny – I enjoy dipping into the history pool for how stories are told.
Q: As a seasoned professional, what advice would you offer someone who is just beginning a career?
Focus on two or three – no more – skills that match what you do best with what the market is looking for. We live in an age where nuance or a passion/specialty is appreciated.
Network endlessly but sincerely. Authenticity is what will make you memorable. Your personal brand will not succeed without a human side to it.
You can have a dream, but you do not need to start at the end result. You need to pave the road first to get there.
Q: What inspires you?
Besides my two children and a score of amazing people I am lucky to know? People I meet every day. Small interactions. Nature rules. Listening to the wind in the trees. A slow hike with a majesty all around. Rich experiences: The first bite of a great entrée. Being in love. Loving just Being. Waking up and saying “Hello World!” Always waiting for someone to yell back.
Art, paintings mostly. Love everything but true abstract.
Live classical music.
Poetry.
Q: How has your membership in NAIWE benefited you professionally?
Having just joined, the community aspects look very good.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The world of language and the written word is one of the pinnacles of human achievement. How great we are all part of it.
This summer, NAIWE is challenging you and your fellow NAIWE members to be the best version of yourselves. You may personalize this challenge to fit your needs and summer goals. Choose a book to read that you classify as a self-help book even though its genre is far from that. Choose a project that has been nagging at you but will also produce great reward upon completion. And finish the challenge by spending some quality time with our experts learning how they mastered creating multiple steams of income. Throughout the challenge, be true to yourself and your goals!
As you brainstorm your new project, leave a comment below and we will help you with some ideas.
September: Self-Improvement Month. Take some time to improve yourself. What class will you take or conference will you attend to improve your business self? Think ahead and sign up for an on-demand training!
September 5: Labor Day. This day recognizes the men and women who labor to build this country. As self-employed professionals, many tend to work on this day, but what will you do to celebrate?
September 6: National Read a Book Day. Grab a book (a fun read or even one for professional development) and spend the day reading.
September 10: National Swap Ideas Day. Share a creative or helpful idea with a client or colleague.
September 12: National Day of Encouragement. This day is dedicated to uplifting people around us and making a positive impact. Who can you encourage?
September 15: National Online Learning Day. This day recognizes the advantages and vast potential of online learning and the accomplishments of these students. What can you study today to improve your skills? NAIWE hosts monthly webinars to help you improve your skills!
September 20: National IT Professionals Day. This day is set aside to honor the venerable geeks of the world we all rely on to keep us connected.
September 22: American Business Women’s Day. A day set aside to honor and reflect on the contributions and accomplishments of the millions of women in the workforce and the millions of women business owners in the United States.
September 24: National Punctuation Day. A period, a comma, a semicolon, a question mark, and an exclamation point are examples of some of the punctuation used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning. National Punctuation Day commemorates these and all punctuation marks.
September 29. National Coffee Day.
As summer comes to a close, you may be looking for a new book to read. Many of our fellow NAIWE members have published books. New members (or members renewing their membership) can request to receive a copy of a NAIWE member’s book.
As a NAIWE member, we are also part of the NAIWE community. NAIWE members are known to support one another. As such, we can help our fellow authors by posting reviews of their books on social media.
In turn, by each of our members reviewing one NAIWE member’s book each year (member benefit #15), in addition to the NAIWE community bond growing stronger and aiding our fellow NAIWE authors, the NAIWE spirit will flourish within us and unite us as one.
NAIWE supports its authors by reviewing up to 12 members’ books each year! Just send a signed copy of your book to NAIWE headquarters.
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.
This summer, NAIWE is challenging you and your fellow NAIWE members to be the best version of yourselves. You may personalize this challenge to fit your needs and summer goals. Choose a book to read that you classify as a self-help book even though its genre is far from that. Choose a project that has been nagging at you but will also produce great reward upon completion. And finish the challenge by spending some quality time with our experts learning how they mastered creating multiple steams of income. Throughout the challenge, be true to yourself and your goals!
As you finish your one nagging project, leave a comment below about your accomplishment and how it made you feel.
Member Benefit #33
Many publishers will do some of the book marketing, but to truly succeed today’s authors must take the marketing piece into their own hands. Using video marketing allows authors to reach a larger audience, and it brings the book to life. Video marketing can show the plot, what the characters look like, the locations, and so much more.
NAIWE members receive 20% off digital marketing services!
Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.
We wanted to get to know MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.
Is shared copyright new to authors?
No. Copyright sits with the creator (or creators) at the time that a work is placed in a fixed format (written down on paper, typed on a computer, painted on a surface, and so on). If there are two or more authors for a work, they share the copyright equally. Similarly (but not the same), a compiled work or anthology might have dozens of contributors, and each of those pieces may have unique copyright holders.
How often is copyright law updated?
Updates are always under consideration, but the most recent update to copyright law occurred in December 2020 with the passing of the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act).
When was the Copyright Claims Board established, and how many members sit on the board?
The CCB was established under an act of Congress in December 2020 and just started to take cases under consideration this June (2022). It is a tribunal made up of three Copyright Office Officers (copyright lawyers) who will hear cases.
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You can join in this conversation on August 24, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on using the Copyright Claims Board, shared copyrights, and more. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!
We wanted to get to know Suzanne Lynn Cheesman (NAIWE’s Media Interviews Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.
When the writing of a book is complete, should the author focus immediately change to marketing?
We recommend that authors begin thinking about their marketing strategy around eight months before they actually plan to release it to the public. Having a loyal following ahead of the release is crucial to kicking off a book launch with momentum.
Why do you support video as the answer to getting a book out there?
Nothing shares the heart behind the book like an author talking about it in a raw and vulnerable manner on video. Since communication is 93% nonverbal, seeing the author’s emotions and facial expressions help us feel connected, which helps us find common ground. When authors can make someone see themselves in their story telling, they have just made the most powerful connection possible!
Is there any evidence to support that video is a secret weapon to selling more books?
There is an unlimited amount of information to support video marketing for businesses. An author trying to sell books is a business. Here are some places to see proof of the importance of adding video to an author’s marketing and business strategy. People will buy books and other goods from people they know, like and trust.
Ingram Spark Article shows that it’s a great way to get personal with your followers and make them feel more connected to you. “Videos make it easier to close the gap between social media followers and loyal readers.”
Forbes Article states that it improves SEO because it ranks high on social media news feeds and can improve your search engine optimization.
HubSpot Article says “There’s no strategy like video marketing for educating, generating leads and converting customers.”
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You can join in this conversation on August 10, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on using video in marketing your books. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!