National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
Mission
The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) is a professional association for writers and editors. We exist to help members succeed, and our unique focus on creating multiple streams of income can make it happen. At NAIWE, we know that a writing or editing career isn’t all about the art. It’s not all about the money either. Writing and editing are about the joy of creativity, the freedom of working independently, and the fulfillment that comes from creating an authentic, abundant life, earning a living doing what you love to do. We believe that taking the road less traveled is often the best way to go.
We believe that every writer or editor should belong to two professional organizations. The first is a large, general, career-building association such as NAIWE, and the second is a smaller craft- or genre-focused association that will help develop additional skills in the minutiae of your craft.
NAIWE welcomes freelance writers and editors, both commercial and literary. Members include novelists, copywriters and copyeditors, writing coaches, proofreaders, magazine writers, writing teachers, business writers and editors, academic writing evaluators, writers of literature for children, fiction editors, and other specialists. We provide an online presence that allows readers, editors, publishers, and potential clients to find you. Our goal is to help freelance writers and editors earn a living with words.
History
The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) was founded by Janice Campbell in 2007 as the National Association of Independent Writing Evaluators. As the association grew, we discovered that the original name simply wasn’t big enough for our members or our mission, so the name was changed with the dawn of 2009. Although our name contains the word “National,” we are international in scope and reach. Our membership is not restricted by geographic borders. In fact, NAIWE is known internationally, and we welcome new members.
Former Executive Director Janice Campbell
NAIWE provides guidance for freelance best practices, general support, and an online presence for its members. To help members with their marketing, NAIWE was set up so that content from member blogs and websites could be easily found and shared on our social media platforms and elsewhere. The association has provided an online home for hundreds of members who welcomed a bit of support and assistance in creating the writing or editing career of their dreams.
Activities
The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) consists of hundreds of members all across the globe and a Board of Experts, who bring a wealth of knowledge to the members and the publishing community.
Each month, NAIWE publishes two newsletters: one that reaches over 6,000 people in the publishing industry and one that goes out to NAIWE members. We host a monthly webinar led by one of our experts and include an article written by another expert in our member newsletter. We also offer Book Chats about recently published member books, Book Promotions to get the word out about member books, and Member of the Month talks—all ways to help our members grow their streams of income.
In addition, each member has a NAIWE website, and when the member posts to it, NAIWE reposts on social media, giving the member a larger viewing audience.
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 and editors 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 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.
