We’re always seeking to add value to your NAIWE membership, and I know that we’ve done so with the addition of the online journal, The Vocabula Review. If you’re not acquainted with TVR, take a moment to scan the table of contents of the February 2010 issue (at the end of this post). I’m sure you’ll find several items you can’t wait to read!

NAIWE members will be able to register at the TVR website, and they’ll receive a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the journal, plus access to the 120+ issues in the archives. This online resource contains an entertaining and informative mix of articles, essays, columns and tidbits from respected writers, all related to the art and mechanics of words. The regular one-year subscription price is $40, so you can see that this is a truly valuable benefit.

Extra: New members who join NAIWE during Words Matter Week will receive a special bonus: a copy of Silence, Language, & Society: A guide to style and meaning, grace and compassion by Robert Hartwell Fiske and a copy of NAIWE’s “How to Create Credibility as a Freelancer” booklet! It’s the perfect time to join the “professional association with career-building difference.”

Visit the Words Matter Week site to listen to an interview with Robert Hartwell Fiske, the editor and publisher of The Vocabula Review. Enjoy!

The Vocabula Review, February 2010

“It’s My Centennial!” said Tom Swiftly by Richard Lederer

Lost Qualifiers by David Galef

“May I Quote You?” On Compiling a Book of Quotations by Clark Elder Morrow

Singin’ the “We” Blues by Heidi Huse

Specialty Dictionary
Glossary of Detective-Story Slang by William Denton

The Blind Review: A Literary Breakthrough by Mark Halpern

Life Tales
Bumbling into Bliss: My Life as a Teacher by Jeff Minick

Vocabula Revisited
The Last Words by Christopher Orlet

Two Poems
On Winter Afternoons by Kathleen Goldbach

Shibboleths
Welcome to Country Music by John Kilgore

Bethumped with Words
Schiaparelli: A Renowned Coutourière’s Italian Surname Traced to Its Origins by Bill Casselman

Harrison’s Corner
Nation Out to Lunch by Carey Harrison

The Common Reader
Letters to Rudi by Kevin Mims

Letter of the Law
Boilerplate Special by Adam Freedman

Language Module 29: The Essence of S

Disagreeable English

On Dimwitticisms

Clues to Concise Writing

On the Bookshelf

Gotcha Grammar (TM)

Vocabula Poll

Do you have words that always seem to trip you up?

Join us Wednesday, August 12, on The Freelance Life, where we’ll talk with NAIWE Expert Barbara McNichol about problematic words and her book, Word Trippers: The Ultimate Source for Using the Perfect Word When It Really Matters (see it at http://bit.ly/on4pL). You’ll also learn Barbara’s top ten techniques for improving your writing!

 The Freelance Life

Wednesday, 08/12/2009 03:30 PM EDT

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 38165

I was just skimming through Seth Godin’s Tribes again this morning. The idea of creating a tribe is a good one, and the prerequisite is a very specific, unique idea that serves as a guiding principle.

The guiding principle behind the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, for example, is that “writers and editors, both commercial and literary, are worthy of respect, support, and success.” We believe that there shouldn’t be artificial barriers between commercial and literary writers, as those barriers tend to propagate a “starving artist” mentality and even an odd sort of disdain for writers and editors who are successfully (and perhaps spectacularly) making a good living at freelance work. This barrier-oriented mindset ensures that many very good writers and editors will spend their lives under-earning. Many never learn to think in an entrepreneurial way, thus sabotaging their own careers.

One of the greatest barriers to success is mindset, and as long as freelancers have mental reservations about whether financial success is compatible with artistic integrity, writers and editors will struggle. Our goal is to put that question into perspective and make success a reality for our members.

I was reminded of this list of free writing courses by a tweet from Jon Bard of Children’s Book Insider. I’ve been wanting to take a few more classes in elements of fiction writing, and I just may start with the “Introduction to Fiction” course from MIT.

For journalists, editors, and writers who want to turn in sparkling clean copy, News University offers Cleaning Your Copy, a brief review of “the basics of grammar, spelling, punctuation and AP style.”

I have found that taking courses outside my primary areas of interest or expertise helps sharpen skills and spark creative ideas. Perhaps these can do the same for you!

Have you seen the newest addition to the grammar-book shelf? Martha Brockenbrough’s new book, Things That Make Us [Sic], looks like a wonderful addition to any writer or editor’s library. When I get a copy, I’ll post a review, but in the meantime, you’re welcome to share your thoughts if you’ve read it.