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Rachel Bradley, NAIWE’s Copyediting Expert

December 6, 2024 Post a comment

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

What does working efficiently entail for you?

Working efficiently means being able to produce the highest quality work in the shortest amount of time. Not only does this require an understanding of how to use software tools, but it also requires knowing how to take care of your most valuable assets—your brain and body. So not only do we need to be familiar with MS Word and CMOS Online, but we also need to know how to prioritize the things in life that will promote brain health and mental health.

 

Would you turn down a project that has the same deadline as another project that you have already accepted?

Sure, and no. It depends on the situation. I include in all of my contracts that deadlines are dependent upon Kingdom of God priorities per James 4:13–17. My whole life belongs to Jesus Christ, and I have an active and vibrant relationship with him. So I literally ask him which jobs he wants me to take and which jobs he wants me to pass on. I attribute the success of my business entirely to this relationship. If a second job came along with the same deadline as the first, I would check my schedule and let the Holy Spirit speak to me about whether I’ll be able to fulfill the commitment or not. I often have multiple projects going at the same time, as I plan and schedule my days to allow for more than one project.

 

How do you respond to daily stress and turn it into a motivator in your freelance business?

Interesting question. I’ve been very intentional to not allow stress to motivate me in any way, although sometimes I fail at that. I live my life counter culture. When stress manifests as a form of pressure, fear, or worry, I check my heart to see what I’m afraid or worried about or where the pressure is coming from, and I talk with my Heavenly Father about the truth of his love until we drive that fear or pressure out. You see, creativity doesn’t flourish in an environment of stress and worry. Writing and editing are creative endeavors and require us to be relaxed and feel safe in order to produce our very best. So finding a way to produce our best, while also doing it as fast as possible is the secret to efficiency.

——————

In this webinar, Rachel Bradley will teach you how to use online tools like Microsoft Word 365 and The Chicago Manual of Style Online to streamline your copyediting process. In addition to being a professional editor, Rachel is a follower of Jesus Christ. In this webinar she will also share how her relationship with Father God through his Holy Spirit plays a vital role in working efficiently, meeting proposed deadlines, and running a business with minimal stress. Rachel’s spiritual beliefs do not reflect the position of NAIWE as an organization. Instead, they are inherent to her personal identity and success as an expert in her field.

You can join in this conversation on December 18 at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on maximizing your marketing efforts. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

 

Rachel E. Bradley holds a BS degree in paralegal studies from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and graduated summa cum laude in 2006. She is a gold member of the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, is an established freelance editor with the Christian Editor Connection, is an instructor with the PEN Institute, is a judge for the Editors’ Choice Award, and has served as faculty for PENCON, the only conference for editors in the Christian market. After serving nine years in the legal field and becoming an advanced certified paralegal, Rachel started her business as a freelance editor and indexer. She now owns Revisions by Rachel Inc. In 2018, she lost her first husband, Matthew, after an intense battle with brain cancer. She now edits with a new understanding and a fierce compassion for people who feel broken and hurt. In celebration of continued life and hope, she became a licensed skydiver and takes to the skies with her rainbow canopy, “Promises,” any chance she gets. In early 2021, she asked God to choose her next husband. In an incredible tale of trusting God and giving him her yes without exception, she is now joyfully married to Alexander Bradley. They have been assigned the awe-inspiring and continually humbling task of raising two incredible children. Beyond reading, Rachel enjoys Bible studies, dancing during church worship, skydiving, swing dancing, rock climbing, reading, teaching, discussing important issues, watching Star Trek, sewing, cooking, Pilates, horseback riding, water sports, playing guitar, and snow skiing.

Categories: Board of Experts, Events

Days to Celebrate in December

November 29, 2024 Post a comment

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

December 3: 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 7: National Play Outside Day. Spend a few minutes outside today enjoying the beauty and the fresh air.

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 workspace without interruptions.

Categories: National Days

Book Review: Gothic Revival

November 22, 2024 Post a comment

Gothic Revival

Michael Mullin

 

Typically when a person finishes a stage in life, they completely move on. No matter how close they were with friends, oftentimes the friends do not move with them to the next stage in life.

While Chris and Anne married after college, the other three friends of the group went their ways and lost touch with one another. However, years later, Eric offers to fly the four friends out to San Francisco for four days of fun—or rather a remake of an iconic 1816 literary event.

Author Michael Mullin writes the book in the third person but writes each chapter from one of the four friends’ point of view. A chapter is not dedicated to Eric’s point of view until near the end of the book. However, even then, the chapter does not specify Eric, but rather his nickname, Gregor, leading this character to be portrayed as more mysterious.

Because the five friends were all pursuing creative writing degrees in college, Eric proposes they write ghost stories as a tribute to Frankenstein, but the events that come about during the four days make the friends questions events and their surroundings.

Because the friends have a lot of history from when they were in college, there is a lot of backstory in this novel. However, Michael Mullin intersperses it with the current action and uses the backstory to build the characters and make them more well-rounded.

Gothic Revival takes five people from their everyday lives and builds suspense by placing them in a remote lake villa. One of the friends, who is clairvoyant, begins hearing and seeing things. And the housekeeper and her husband seem to know more than they should.

This book will grab your attention and be difficult to put down!

Categories: Book Reviews, Member Benefits

NAIWE Known For Quality Freelancers

November 15, 2024 Post a comment

Many people need to hire a freelancer, but where can they find one that takes their career seriously?

People visit the NAIWE website and post a job they have available. The job posting would then be sent to all active NAIWE members. Those members qualified and interested in the position can then contact the job poster to begin a conversation.

 

 

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 four books.

Categories: Member Benefits, News

Member Benefit: Discount on Authors A.I.

November 8, 2024 Post a comment

Member Benefit #21

Marlowe Pro from Authors A.I. is a powerful manuscript assessment tool for fiction authors, editors, and publishing industry professionals. Marlowe is the creation of Matthew Jockers, Ph.D., co-author of The Bestseller Code, and a team of data scientists and bestselling authors. Marlowe provides an in-depth critique of your novel within five minutes of uploading it to a secure server.

Marlowe will analyze your novel’s plot structure, pacing, story beats, character traits, subject matter, percentage of dialogue vs. narrative, and readability. Marlowe provides both subject matter and stylistic bestselling comp titles with each manuscript analysis and will also track clichés, repetitive phrases, profane words, misspellings, etc., and deliver the results in an illustrated 32-page, full-color report with actionable insights based on its large database of bestsellers across fiction genres. Authors A.I. is a writers’ community and tech startup founded by more than 100 bestselling authors.

NAIWE members receive (1) 20% off an annual or monthly Marlowe Pro subscription or (2) one complimentary Marlowe Pro Analysis!

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

Categories: Member Benefits

Book Review: Hope Has a Code Nose

October 28, 2024 Post a comment

Hope Has a Cold Nose

Christine Hassing

Many Americans hold true to the values of our country and feel a calling to serve our country in the military. However, this military experience can take its toll on our service people, leading to veteran lives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Christine Hassing, in her book Hope Has a Cold Nose, shares stories of over 20 military veterans and how their service dogs have helped them cope with PTSD. These amazing dogs have been able to sense the onset of a nightmare and wake the veteran before the emotions take hold.

Many of these stories begin with the veteran sharing why they chose to join the military and their commitment to serving their fellow Americans, their low point in feeling lost and unable to reintegrate into society, and then how working with service dogs have benefited their lives.

In these pages, the author uses these powerful and very insightful stories to show how PTSD can change the entirety of a person’s life and how a trained dog can help heal emotional wounds. This collection of stories gives hope to those suffering from PTSD and their families and friends.

Categories: Book Reviews, Member Benefits

Days to Celebrate in November

October 25, 2024 Post a comment

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

November 6: National Stress Awareness Day. Develop a routine to help you manage your stress.

November 11-15: National Young Readers Week. The focus of the week demonstrates to youth the importance of reading.

November 29: You’re Welcomegiving Day. Share a “You’re welcome” with at least one client today.

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

November 30: Small Business Saturday. Support your local small businesses.

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

Categories: National Days

Engagement Through NAIWE

October 18, 2024 Post a comment

NAIWE encourages those with a love of the word to be active within the community.

During the first full week of March, NAIWE sponsors Words Matter Week, a holiday that delights in honoring the importance of words. During this week, libraries and other community locations have sponsored events related to the importance of words for people to gather, learn, and have fun.

In the summer, NAIWE leads a summer challenge, incentivizing people to complete those resolutions, piles of paperwork, and outreach projects that have been on their to-do list for too long.

In December, NAIWE announces the winners of that year’s Book Awards contest, promoting well-written books that have been written in the last five years in categories, such as children’s books, coffee table books, genre fiction, graphic novels, informational nonfiction, literary fiction, middle grade books, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and young adult books. Participating in a book award contest allows writers to connect with one another and promote their hard work.

 

 

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 four books.

Categories: Events, News

Freelance Writers: Achieving Success One Step at a Time

October 14, 2024 Post a comment

NAIWE’s Copyediting Expert Rachel Bradley was recently interviewed on “Unemployable,” the Opolis podcast.

In this episode, Freelance Editor, Indexer, and NAIWE Board Expert Rachel E. Bradley opens up about her personal journey, sharing how she overcame the loss of her husband and found balance in her life with her new partner. Rachel offers invaluable advice on setting the right prices for your services, and taking daily steps toward achieving your business goals. Hosted by Opolis Steward Joshua Lapidus, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration for freelancers looking to overcome challenges and build a successful writing career.

In this podcast, you can learn more about how being a NAIWE member gives you special access to health and payroll benefits!

Rachel E. Bradley holds a BS degree in paralegal studies from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and graduated summa cum laude in 2006. She is a gold member of the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, is an established freelance editor with the Christian Editor Connection, is an instructor with the PEN Institute, is a judge for the Editors’ Choice Award, and has served as faculty for PENCON, the only conference for editors in the Christian market. After serving nine years in the legal field and becoming an advanced certified paralegal, Rachel started her business as a freelance editor and indexer. She now owns Revisions by Rachel Inc. In 2018, she lost her first husband, Matthew, after an intense battle with brain cancer. She now edits with a new understanding and a fierce compassion for people who feel broken and hurt. In celebration of continued life and hope, she became a licensed skydiver and takes to the skies with her rainbow canopy, “Promises,” any chance she gets. In early 2021, she asked God to choose her next husband. In an incredible tale of trusting God and giving him her yes without exception, she is now joyfully married to Alexander Bradley. They have been assigned the awe-inspiring and continually humbling task of raising two incredible children. Beyond reading, Rachel enjoys Bible studies, dancing during church worship, skydiving, swing dancing, rock climbing, reading, teaching, discussing important issues, watching Star Trek, sewing, cooking, Pilates, horseback riding, water sports, playing guitar, and snow skiing.

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Professional Development

Member Benefit: On-Demand Training

October 11, 2024 Post a comment

Member Benefit #20

The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors has hundreds of recorded webinars that are available to you to aid you in building up your skills and opening new windows to expand your income streams. NAIWE members receive $20 off any on-demand training!

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

Categories: Member Benefits

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