We wanted to get to know Jennia D’Lima (NAIWE’s Creative Nonfiction Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

How do historical details add depth and context to nonfiction manuscripts?

Just like in a work of fiction, details contribute to immersing the reader in the story. They can also be used to heighten the emotions at a given time. For example, a manuscript may be primarily focused on examining the life of a frontier family in depth. A surviving diary entry from one of the members of this family may state a child came down with a disease that would not seem worrisome to contemporary readers. Including statistics for the mortality rate by age, prevalent issues for those who survived the disease, and typical length and severity of the illness would give the reader a better understanding of how the parents may have reacted to this diagnosis. Without this information, an included diary entry along the lines of “Mary was stricken with a fever; we believe she has scarlet fever” may not be given its due significance.

In some cases, these details may also add credibility to the author and any stances taken in the manuscript. This is especially true when making a claim or speculation based on little-known facts. Essential historical background to back up these positions will help decrease the reader’s skepticism while also creating a richer narrative.

What type of historical details should be added to nonfiction manuscripts?

Only those details that are relevant or will add to the reader’s understanding should be included. It is vital to remember that, unless the manuscript is being marketed as a history textbook, there is no need to provide more than the basics. As will be discussed in the webinar, the key is learning how to identify those areas that will most benefit from these inclusions.

Are authors also adding historical details to nonfiction manuscripts to educate readers?

Some are, yes, but this depends upon the author’s original intentions and the larger scope of the work. With a memoir, the focus may not be on education so much as sharing and providing a unique viewpoint. It could be argued this alone is a form of education though it may not be from a historical perspective. However, there will often be ways history naturally and logically incorporates itself even when that isn’t the main goal. For instance, when explaining a medical procedure performed even a decade in the past, providing details may be necessary to give the reader the required information for understanding how it was performed, why it was considered risky or not, and so on. The reader’s knowledge base has now grown despite the author only including this information for clarity-related purposes.

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Want to find out how historical details can add depth and context to your creative nonfiction manuscript? Apart from bringing credibility to your topic, these details have the benefit of helping your reader better understand the context surrounding your subject. This session shows how to sift through research and facts to find what will have the most impact and meaning as well as how to identify which areas of your manuscript would most benefit from these additions.

You can join in this conversation on February 27, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on adding some history to your manuscript. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

We wanted to get to know Yateendra Joshi (NAIWE’s Research Paper Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

Everyone wants to communicate a message; how can design clarify and reinforce the message?

A well-chosen typeface can complement the message; an effective layout can clarify it; and the overall design can entice readers to begin reading a document — before the writer’s prose has had a chance to make an impact on the readers.

What are some ways to make layout more appealing to the eye and be effective across platforms?

By establishing a clear hierarchy of headings that reveals the underlying structure of the document, by choosing the right typeface, and by keeping the design simple.

Is there a rule on how many font sizes can be on a page?

More than two are too many: you can always use other cues such as weight (normal or bold), posture (normal or italics), and color.

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Research and academic papers – the mainstay of journals – rarely make easy reading, given the typically dense subject matter, rigid conventions imposed by academic writing, and, let’s face it, unappealing layout and design. Also, the layout and design must work across different platforms and devices: traditional print, HTML (with different browsers), PDF, desktops, laptops, tabs, smartphones. . . .

The design must also take into account how research papers are accessed because rarely are they read from the beginning to the end at a sitting. Readers skim the titles; if any is interesting, the next stop is the abstract, after a glance at the names of authors and their affiliations; if the abstract is promising, then maybe a quick scan of the results — and thus the process continues. A research paper has layers of information, and it is the job of typography and design to make those layers distinct and easy to access.

This webinar touches upon legibility and readability of type, choice and use of fonts, layout of different layers, design of tables, typesetting of references, and so on, illustrated with examples taken from a range of journals.

If you are involved in any way in text-heavy documents, this webinar will be of interest to you. More specifically, this webinar will help you to

• appreciate reader-friendly design
• notice the choices made by typographers and designers
• avoid some common but poor design choices
• explore resources on design
• enlist typography to reinforce your editing.

You can join in this conversation on November 18, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on typography and scientific journals. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

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

What does it mean to you that “everyone has a book in them”?

It’s a common saying and I truly believe most people do have a story they’d like to tell. They just don’t know how to go about it or feel intimidated by the process of writing an entire book. The good news is, you can start small with a short story, blog post, or poem. That may be all you need. If not, your skills will develop over time or you can decide if you want to hire a professional ghostwriter.

What would be a first step to transform corporate skills into creative abilities?

The most important thing is to just start. I would say how is two-fold: 1) get in touch with your inner creative — often the best way to do this is by thinking about what you enjoyed as a child. Did you write poems, stories, read, draw pictures, paint, etc.? Try bringing that back into your life without any pressure to produce. Just do what you enjoy. And 2) study the creative process. You can read books on it, search the internet, or take classes (in person or online). You’ll find that the process itself isn’t all that different from what we do in corporate communications. The key is to remember how much imagination plays a part in any creative pursuit. Anything you can do to stretch your imagination and get it really going again will help. After that, I’d advise joining local or online writing groups. You can learn a ton from those who are actively writing.

Will this feel like a revelation, a transformation, for the newbie?

It could be both. You may realize you have talents you never thought you possessed or your felt the need to repress. When you get back in touch with these talents or discover them, you’ll begin seeing yourself as creative person, an artist, if you will. That can impact every aspect of your life. I’ll give you a personal example. When I went into college, I didn’t think I was creative enough to be a writer. This is why I shied away from creative writing classes (that and I find it hard to write fiction on demand). But I nurtured my creativity in other ways—by writing stories for myself and my friends. Some are so bad that I treasure them. The day I shared one with my English advisor and he told me he thought I had talent was my revelation. The transformation came the more I practiced the elements of good fiction writing like description, dialog, and developing plot and character arcs. The first attempts were terrible, but it didn’t matter; I was doing them just for me. Eventually I realized I had gotten better, to the point that I could sustain longer works and I started to share them with friends and family. My life gradually became more and more about writing until now, when it is about half my day job and half about my writing. As time goes on, I hope to be able to embrace my writing as a full-time career. That path isn’t for everyone, but it is one path transformation can take.

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They say everyone has a book in them, or maybe some short stories or poetry. As a corporate communicator, you may have the ability to write but may not feel creative enough to break out of your business-minded mold. Niki Burgdorf, a 20-year veteran of business communication and a USA Today bestselling author who writes under the pen name Nicole Evelina, will show you how to tap into ideas and talents you didn’t know you had. Whether you want to write the next great American novel or just want to learn to be more creative, she will show you how to get started.

You can join in this conversation on October 24, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on using your day job skills to increase your creativity. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!

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!

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!

Now is a great time to think about attending one or two conferences over the next 12 months.

In thinking about attending a conference, what would you like to get out of it? Is your overall goal networking or training on a particular software? Do you want to discuss pricing or working with others in the publishing industry?

Large conferences offer some great benefits, but so do small conferences. Small conferences may lend more to networking, as there are fewer attendees and making connections is a common goal of many of the attendees. I’ve noticed that I am more at ease at smaller conferences, and I meet more people and pass more business cards to others.

Webinars offer some of the same benefits as large and small conferences. If in-person events are too much of a challenge, financially, location, or otherwise, think about participating in some virtual events, such as NAIWE monthly webinars!

Some of the topics that will be covered in upcoming webinars include reputable sources for journalists, video marketing, copyright law, and marketing on Facebook!

And here are some names of people you may want to learn from: Suzanne Lynn Cheesman (NAIWE’s Media Interviews Expert), MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright and Permissions Expert), Kristen Fischer (NAIWE’s Journalism Expert), and Ruth Thaler-Carter (NAIWE’s Networking Expert).

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.

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

What is classified as a legitimate source?

In this webinar, I’m going to talk about two types of sources: people and written sources. A legitimate source is usually someone who has been through a certain situation or is involved with it, or a professional from a legitimate institution. When it comes to written sources, that can include published research but also anything written on the internet. Separating legitimate sources from all the other sources out there is key. And it’s hard to define, because the outlet you’re writing for may have a list of sources that they will not consider legit.

Where should your research begin to find a legitimate source?

This depends on the story or type of writing you’re doing. In journalism, you want vetted sources—that can mean a certain official or a professional. But if you’re on the scene of the story it can mean verifying the person you’re interviewing has the credentials to make a comment.

How many sources are usually needed? Is one enough?

Again, this depends on your story. Most stories do best with at least two to three sources so you can either validate what one source is saying, bring up related sources, or have the sources oppose to therefore give a more objective view and show multiple sides of an issue.

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We live in the age of “misinformation” so it’s vital for journalists to use reputable sources. How can you sift through the information and research on the internet and find legitimate sources? How can you pinpoint sources for interviews and ensure they are legitimate? This webinar will take a deep dive with tips to help you ensure that your research and interview sources are solid.

You can join in this conversation on July 25, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on finding and vetting legitimate sources. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!