National Association of Independent Writers & Editors
Member Benefit #23
Bowker offers a wide range of tools and resources authors can use to publish and promote their titles. We make books easier to discover, evaluate, and experience — connecting publishers, authors, and booksellers with readers. Wherever you are in your writing or publishing journey, Bowker has what you need.
NAIWE members receive 15% off select marketing and editorial products and services.
Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.
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.
Why do writers get caught in a telling cycle?
It depends on which type of telling you’re referring to, as there are two types, which I refer to as “big” telling and “little” telling. Big telling refers to info dumps — any time an author stops the story to explain something, usually back story. In most of those cases, I don’t think the authors trust themselves or their readers: they don’t trust themselves to weave the details into the story and they don’t trust their readers to notice and remember those details. Little telling is often a case of rushing. It’s faster (and easier) to write she was beautiful than to describe her through the point-of-view of the character’s eyes.
Do you recommend that writers develop characters before writing the scenes?
It depends on the writer. If the writer is okay making revisions to the story, then it’s okay to draft scenes before knowing all the details about a character (I’m a better editor than writer, so I rewrite a lot). If the writer doesn’t want to make a lot of revisions to the story, it’s crucial to understand as much as possible about a character before beginning to write the story. In either case, having a basic knowledge of characters is a must.
Would you suggest writers work with developmental editors to help fix mistakes?
Again, it depends on the writer and their goals. If writers are in a rush to finish a story and submit it, developmental editors can speed up the process, as it takes years to develop fiction-writing skills. I do recommend developmental editors to new writers who aren’t getting any responses to their query letters–a good editor can help them spot any plot/character issues that might be turning away agents and publishers.
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Take your self-editing skills to the next level.
Most authors will answer “yes!” to these questions. But then editors and readers tell them the descriptions don’t engage them, the characters are stereotypical, and the story dragged.
How do you fix it? By training your writer’s brain to read with an editor’s eye and by recruiting some outside help. In this workshop, we’ll look at common mistakes novelists make, then learn how to identify and fix them.
You can join in this conversation on January 13 at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on improving your self-editing skills. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!
Karin Beery is an award-winning author and editor with experience in traditional and self-publishing, freelance editing, and editing for publishers. She is an active member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and the Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network. Karin’s specialty is substantive fiction editing with an emphasis in romance and women’s fiction.
Today’s podcast episode is a Book Chat episode, where we get to know one of the books that has been published by a fellow NAIWE member.
Our guest today is Christine Benner Dixon.
Christine Benner Dixon and her co-author Sharon McDermott have recently published Millions of Suns: On Writing and Life, a collection of craft-of-writing essays. Christine Benner Dixon came to editing from an academic background, with a Ph.D. in English and years in the classroom. Since launching her editing and consulting business in 2019, she has also found more time to write than the teaching life afforded.
Here is a sneak peak of what we discussed.
Q: When did you first have the idea for this book? And what inspired you to actually write this book?
My co-author Sharon and I taught at the same school for several years. As creative writers and creative writing teachers, we had lots in common — even if our approach to our writing practice and instruction were vastly different. In the early pandemic days, Sharon convened a group of writers for an online workshop. It was a beautiful experience, giving us a means of connecting through writing in a fraught time. After one of these workshops, Sharon pulled me aside and asked if I would be interested in writing a book with her. I said yes immediately. We knew very little about what this book would be except for two things: it would be about writing, and it would not be a how-to manual.
Q: Please describe one of your favorite characters from your book.
Although these are nonfiction essays and so do not have traditional characters, it was a happy coincidence that both Sharon and I decided to write about our grandmothers. Mine was a very meek Mennonite woman who found one moment of boldness that became a family story. Sharon’s was a woman so audacious that even the great hereafter couldn’t stop her from coming back to visit her granddaughter and set her straight.
Q: What did you learn while working on this book? And what were some challenges you faced during the writing or publication of this book?
I learned so much during the writing and publication of this book, both about the act of writing itself and the publication process. Because this was my first book, I encountered every step with our publisher totally fresh: working with an editor at a university press, learning to read a contract, navigating permissions, etc. But of course the greatest learning really was about myself as a writer. It has been enlightening to put a finger on the role that writing plays in my relationships and my sense of self. It forced me to articulate something that has always been implicit in my life.
To learn more about Christine Benner Dixon and her new book Millions of Suns: On Writing and Life, listen to the podcast episode.
January 2: National Science Fiction Day. American author and Boston University professor of biochemistry Isaac Asimov was born on January 2, 1920. He was best known for his works of science fiction and his popular science books.
January 4: National Play Outside Day. Spend a few minutes outside today enjoying the beauty and the fresh air.
January 5: National Screenwriters Day. Inside the industry, screenwriters are well known for their ability to crack the story, create great roles for actors, and write memorable dialogue.
January 6: National Technology Day. From the wheel to smartphones, technology has been changing the world. Recognize those achievements and look to the future for more advancements in technology.
January 13: National Clean off Your Desk Day. This day is an opportunity to begin your new year with a clean and organized work space. Whether your desk is in a private or shared office, cubicle, home, or a make-shift desk on the counter, having your work space uncluttered, organized, refreshed, and clean will help you work more efficiently and give you a sense of serenity.
January 16: Get to Know Your Customers Day. When businesses get to know your customers, you also get to know more about what you need to grow.
January 18: National Thesaurus Day. Whether you are looking for a new word or trying to complete a sentence, the thesaurus can be your best friend. Expanding your vocabulary improves both written and spoken communication skills and creative writing abilities and can be helpful in advancing your career.
January 23: National Handwriting Day. Reintroduce yourself to a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. According to the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, it is a chance for all to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting.
January 24: National Compliment Day. What a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done!
January 28: National Plan for Vacation Day. It takes planning to work hard, but many people forget to plan to play hard as well. Spend a few moments deciding where you want to go on vacation this year.
January 31: National Fun at Work Day. Many people spend a good portion of their lives at work, so why not enjoy it?
It is always a great time to join NAIWE and become part of a publishing community. However, right now NAIWE is having its winter promotion. Any new member who signs up for automatic renewal membership can receive 50% off their first year’s membership (code: HOLIDAYS)!
Your membership in an association demonstrates commitment, credibility, and professionalism.
Why choose NAIWE?
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.
Member Benefit #22
AutoCrit is the online home for authors. We are a software platform where you can plan, write, self-edit, and format your book, all in one place. Join our vibrant Pro Member Community with Pro Member exclusive events and clubs offered every month. If you are looking to grow your craft, enroll in one of our many writing courses or workshops available through AutoCrit Academy. No matter what stage you are in on your writing journey, we’re here to support you. AutoCrit helps you write better, right now.
NAIWE members receive 20% off annual Pro Memberships!
Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.
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.
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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.
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.
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!
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 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.
Gothic Revival