National Association of Independent Writers and Editors

It's very important for freelance writers, editors, and ghostwriters to prove that they have the experience necessary to write and edit for others.  They should be able to produce a sterling resume that has been vetted by one or more associations.  It gives street cred to the writer and editor, and it brings peace of mind to the client.

I belong to Publishers Marketplace, a forum for the highest level of writers, editors, and agents.  I also belong to the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, or NAIWE.  Just as you would expect a doctor or lawyer to be board certified, you should expect any writer you hire to have professional credentials that can be verified with a simple Google search.

Remember that very few freelance writers, ghostwriters, and editors advertising on the Internet--approximately five percent--have any real training or experience in writing and editing.  They simply hang out their shingles because 1) anyone can do it, and 2) they believe they're "decent" writers because they wrote "good" papers in school.

Beware and due your due diligence. 

~William Hammett

See Index of articles for this site in the right sidebar.

Contact: wmhammett@aol.com

What Is Developmental Editing?

Most people are aware that books are edited before they are published.  Editing is usually regarded as proofreading to correct basic grammatical mistakes or spot omitted words.  And this is certainly one valid definition of editing.  It's called line editing, and is a basic proofing without much thought of a book's content.

Developmental editing, on the other hand, is far more involved.  A developmental editor must deal with issues of pacing, characterization, plot, believability, and style, to name just a few areas that are addressed in the process.  Sections of a book are "massaged," often rewritten to smooth out the bumps and any awkward sections.  Additions are made (or suggested to the author), and frequently large sections of text that slow the pace of the book, or which are simply unnecessary, are removed.  Editors call this "trimming the fact." 

Almost all successful books go through some degree of developmental editing, and this applies to even the work of the most famous authors in the literary marketplace.  Acquiring editors at major publishing houses get out their fabled blue pencils and litter the margins of manuscripts with thousands of suggestions and changes.  Often, developmental editors are hired to actually execute these changes.

There has always been a tug of war between authors and editors, but the reality in mainstream publishing is that all books get edited.  Wise writers acknowledge that they may be too close to their work and accept constructive criticism--and the editing that goes with it.

~ William Hammett

Index of Articles

Ghostwriting: The Decline of Professionalism

Anyone can declare himself to be a ghostwriter in the age of the Internet.  Adds abound on About.com and eHow.com, declaring, "You can work at home!  Become a ghostwriter or editor!  Here are the seven easy steps!"

Unfortunately, a majority of the thousands of ghostwriters and editors advertising on the web do not have the credentials to be professional ghostwriters or editors.  I studied writing, editing, research, and textual criticism in graduate school.  Later I paid my dues as an editor, wrote promotional material for Tulane University, published newspaper articles, and published poetry and short fiction in respected literary journals.  I wrote novels under my own name, worked with literary agents, and only then did I hang out my shingle and begin writing for clients.

Most people looking for a ghostwriter are ignorant of the publishing industry and the literary marketplace.  They therefore are in a position of weakness when looking for someone to write their book or memoir.  Ghostwriting companies, with very few exceptions, use many unethical practices in securing clients.  Independent ghostwriters produce poor quality work and have little experience.  Most people contact writers with little experience and little or no knowledge of publishing. 

I invite you to read my blog Ghostwriting and Editing: An Exposé by William Hammett to learn more about the online ghostwriting industry.  You may also learn about the profession and ethics of ghostwriting by clicking on my official ghostwriting website in the sidebar, as well as reading other blogs on writing and ghostwriting.

Don't get ripped off.  Do your homework before hiring a ghostwriter or editor.

~ William Hammett

Index of Articles

Believe in Your Work
Children's Nonfiction: It's Now More Popular
The Craft of Writing
Daily Transit Public Ridership
The eBook Revolution
Fifty Shades of Boring
George Clayton Johnson: Fictioneer by Vivien Kooper
Ghostwriting: The Decline of Professionalism
How Long Does It Take to Write a Novel?
Is Journal Writing Worth the Effort?
Literary Agents
Kindle Direct Publishing (Select)
The Novella is Back and Thriving
Print-on-Demand
Promoting Your Book
The Quest for Literary Representation
The Rewards of Being a Writer
Short Fiction
Smashwords
What Is Developmental Editing
Why Do People Write?
Writing Celebrity Memoirs
Writing a Novel
Writing as a Full-time Job
Writing as a Mystical Process
You Own the Copyright to Your Literary Property
Zen in the Art of Writing