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Member Benefit: Guest Articles in The Edge

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The Edge: Success Strategies for People Who Work with Words is a monthly newsletter that encourages and equips publishing professionals. It features information about NAIWE, professional development opportunities, and engaging material written by NAIWE members. NAIWE welcomes and reads all submissions of completed articles written by NAIWE members in good standing with a developed member website. For more information, see the writer’s guidelines.

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

John McIntyre, The Grammar Expert

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We wanted to get to know John McIntyre (NAIWE’s Grammar Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

Remind us why we should be interested in metaphors.

Because human beings are deeply motivated to seek out patterns, comparisons, and correspondences, we are awash in metaphors. Comparing one thing to another leaves us feeling that we have both a sharper and a broader understanding.

And this does not happen exclusively in poetry or more ornate prose. We are bathed in metaphors in our daily speech, some of them so deeply embedded that we no longer perceive them as metaphors.

For example, when we relinquish control of something to someone else, we say that we give that other party “free rein.” It evokes the era of horseback riding, when a rider would drop the reins, giving up control of the horse and going wherever the horse chose to go.

Of course, since most of us no longer ride horses, that image has faded, permitting the frequent, and misguided, substitution of the meaningless homonym, “free reign.”

 

How do metaphors enhance an author’s writing?

They make it interesting.

Infusions of a metaphor into prose can make it more vivid. Without a metaphor, or allied tropes from classical rhetoric, a text would inspire as much interest in the reader as the terms and conditions of your cellphone contract.

 

Can you give us an example?

Frank Roylance, a reporter at The Baltimore Sun, filed an article on physics that employed a simile to help the reader understand a technical point: “Capturing data on the most powerful and mysterious explosion in the universe is a bit like swatting flies. The blasts, called gamma ray bursts, are usually too quick.”

 

If a metaphor is such a good thing, why do we need your workshop?

With metaphors, as with everything else, we are not always the best judges of our own work. Writers can fall in love with a metaphor because they thought it up all by themselves and are not able to recognize that it may be strained or that it carries an unintended double meaning.

That’s why [cough] you need an editor.

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Everyone appreciates an apt simile or striking metaphor. Figurative language enlivens prose and aids the reader’s understanding. But it is easy to get entangled in mixed metaphors, comparisons that fizzle, or images that convey the opposite of what the writer intends. And writers are not always the best judges of their effects. John McIntyre, who has been a working newspaper editor for four decades, will take you on a tour of regrettable metaphors and explain how they fail to achieve their purpose. Some laughter may be involved.

You can join in this conversation on December 15, at 2 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on figurative language. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Days to Celebrate in December

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December: National Write a Business Plan Month. As a freelancer, you are a business owner, so consider writing a business plan this month!

December 1: National Day of Giving. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

December 26: National Thank-you Note Day. It is a day to get some note cards, paper, pen, envelopes and stamps to write special thank yous.

December 31: No Interruptions Day. This is a day set aside for getting organized for the new year by cleaning up your work space without interruptions.

Brian Schwartz, The Self-Publishing Expert

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We wanted to get to know Brian Schwartz (NAIWE’s Self-Publishing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

Can an author’s website be “one and done?” Or how can it be updated if there is nothing to update?

At a minimum, it should be updated at least once every 3-6 months. Google has a tendency to rank sites higher that contain fresh content. But it’s also a fatal flaw to include so much information that the visitor’s curiosity is piqued, losing out on a sale. Less is more. I’ll discuss strategies to reserve the bulk of your content for those who’ve already purchased your book.

 

What is the most common mistake you see on an author website?

Not using a generic (untracked) URL. By just copying and pasting the URL from your browser, every visitor is ‘tagged’ as someone you sent to Amazon (and therefore who you have a personal relationship with) and one theory is that this is one of the tools Amazon is using to block reviews. Also, each page should have a single call-to-action. I will cover several examples during the webinar.

 

How much time should an author spend updating their website each week?

As little as possible! Authors should spend that time instead writing guest posts for other websites and doing whatever it takes to get their own site linked to from on other websites (blogs, podcasts, media, etc.). Links from other reputable sites are the fastest way to boost your Google ranking. Even if you can’t get another website owner to write about you, there are plenty of sites where you can publish yourself (and include a link back to your website), i.e., Medium, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wikipedia, Quora, etc.

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The internet has impacted nearly every industry and books are no exception. In this webinar, Brian Schwartz showcases how bestselling authors are taking advantage of the web to increase value, grow sales, and connect with readers. He’ll also touch on the key elements of an effective author website and the common mistakes. You’ll hear the 5-figure tip Brian gave an author regarding a video that went viral.

If you feel like a deer in the headlights when you go online, Brian Schwartz will show you the simple steps you can take. From optimizing yourself on Amazon to more advanced tactics that can improve your search engine rankings, you will discover ways to webify your book to gain more reviews, grow readership, and ultimately increase profits. In a post-COVID world with the majority of your readers only a click away, you’ll see why timing has never been better to unlock your book’s full potential.

You can join in this conversation on November 19, at 6 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on elements of an effective author website. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Days to Celebrate in November

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November: Family Stories Month. Record or listen to stories from relatives of all ages.

November: National Family Literacy Month. Enjoy some family readings.

November: National Life Writing Month. Write about yourself and your life as you have experienced it thus far.

November: National Novel Writing Month. Use this month to write the first draft of your novel.

November 1: National Author’s Day. Celebrate your favorite authors and the books they have written.

November 1: National Family Literacy Day. Read a book with your family today.

November 2: Job Action Day. Get the tools and resources to master a new job search and land the career of your dreams!

November 4: National Stress Awareness Day. Develop a routine to help you manage your stress.

November 8-14: National Young Readers Week. The focus of the week demonstrates to youth the importance of reading.

November 27: You’re Welcomegiving Day. Share a “You’re welcome” with at least one client today.

November 28: Small Business Saturday. Support your local small businesses.

November 29: Electronic Greetings Day. Send an electronic greeting to each of the clients you haven’t heard from in a while.

November 30: Computer Security Day. Help secure your computer by installing and running antivirus software.

Member Benefit: Quick-Start Guide

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You’ll want to start with Make the Most of Your Membership: A Quick-Start Guide to NAIWE. This handy guide provides a brief overview of the benefits you receive, along with step-by-step instructions for accessing everything. You’ll be off and running in no time!

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

Claudia Suzanne, The Ghostwriting Expert

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We wanted to get to know Claudia Suzanne (NAIWE’s Ghostwriting Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

What is a certified ghostwriter?

There are two types of certified ghostwriters. The first is offered by Certified Professional Ghostwriter, which covers the “dedication, competency, and ethics of ghostwriters.” I know little about this course.

The second kind of certified ghostwriter has completed a rigorous, award-winning 13-month training program that covers the specific skills, industry knowledge, and ghostwriting psychology and mindset transitions necessary to command (not hunt for) high-end professional clients and fees. Their certification comes from California State University, Long Beach. They are industry insiders and solopreneurs, not freelancers.

 

What can a ghostwriter do that I as the author cannot do?

Honestly, nothing—if the author can disassociate from their own work; has the time to learn the realities of the book industry, its supply-chain needs, and standards; and can find a counterpoint who understands musical line editing. All that not only takes a lot of time, it runs counter to the author’s true purpose, which is to share their knowledge, insights, or story. Think of it this way: authors create art . . . ghostwriters massage, tweak, and polish it.

 

Are ghostwriters limited to certain genres?

Not at all. They can specialize if they want—I know a lot of ghosts who only do business books or memoirs or self-help titles or fiction—or they can do it all. Depends on the individual.

———-

Join Claudia Suzanne, the Ghostwriting Expert, as she reveals insider truths about the book industry, and how a Certified Ghostwriter can give your title a better chance in the marketplace. Learn:

  • How the history of publishing works both for and against you
  • How to position your book before you start writing it, not after you finish it
  • The top four fiction and nonfiction issues that turn off readers
  • The truth behind “platform”
  • Insider business tricks that really matter
  • … and much more.

You can join in this conversation on October 22, at 3 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on ghostwriters assisting in the publishing process. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Days to Celebrate in October

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October: National Book Month. Curl up on the couch with a good book.

October: National Reading Group Month. Gather a group of friends, and meet weekly to discuss a great book!

October: National Work and Family Month. Focus on one way to improve your work/life balance. The Be a Better Freelancer conference can help with this: “Freelancing 101: Launching and Managing Your Freelance Business” with Meghan Pinson.

October: Self-Promotion Month. Promote your skills to gain some new clients. The Be a Better Freelancer conference has a session to help with this: “You Oughta be in Visuals: Make Your Social Sizzle to Fire Up Your Freelancing” with Walt Jaschek.

October 1: National Fruit at Work Day. Take a break today to enjoy a piece of seasonal fruit at work.

October 5: National Do Something Nice Day. Do something nice for one of your clients today!

October 6-12: Mystery Series Week.

October 6-12: National Newspaper Week.

October 6-12: Customer Service Week.

October 9: National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day. Spend a day with a cuddly friend to make you smile. 🙂

October 13-19: National Work at Home Week.

October 18-24: National Business Women’s Week.

October 18-24: National Friends of Libraries Week.

October 24: National Make a Difference Day. Do something to make a difference in the life of someone else.

Member Benefit: Social Media Marketing

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The posts you share on your member website are eligible to be promoted on NAIWE’s social media pages. The NAIWE Member Activity Feed is scanned each week on Member Monday, and many post titles and links are posted on social media to increase your readership. Member posts that are tagged with the #NAIWE hashtag can also be reposted on NAIWE’s social media pages for you.

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

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