Benefit from our experience!
Below are links to other websites we believe are important and helpful for freelance medical writers, and links that are just plain fun.
When you click on a link, you will be directed away from The Accidental Medical Writer website. The Accidental Medical Writer is not affiliated with these sites, nor do we have any input in, control over, or responsibility for, their content. Please come back and visit us!
Professional Links
Just For Fun Links
Professional Links
American Medical Writers Association
AMWA is the professional organization for medical writers. If you read The Accidental Medical Writer, you know that we value our membership to this organization. AMWA has mentored both of us as we’ve progressed through our freelance medical writing careers and we can never say enough good things about this organization. You can find out more about AMWA at: http://www.amwa.org/
American Medical Writers Association-Delaware Valley Chapter
The national organization of AMWA is segmented into individual chapters based on geographic location. Cyndy and Brian are both members of AMWA-DVC, a very active chapter that encompasses areas around Philadelphia and its suburbs. AMWA-DVC annually hosts a freelance workshop and an educational conference (both usually in the spring), where you can network with other medical writers, learn specific medical writing skills, and work toward an AMWA certificate. You can read about the Delaware Valley Chapter’s activities at: http://www.amwa-dvc.org/
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the professional organization that accredits speech pathologists, audiologists, and speech and hearing scientists, that is, those clinicians who treat individuals with speech, language, or hearing disorders. To learn more, go to: http://www.asha.org/default.htm
Booklocker
We’d like to give a nod to Booklocker, our publisher. Richard and Angela Hoy run Booklocker, which markets both electronic and print-on-demand books. They’ve been in the business for a while and, after comparing other print-on-demand publishers, we chose them because we believed they had the most author-friendly terms.
Sure, we could have gone the traditional route to get The Accidental Medical Writer on the shelves of traditional bookstores. But if you know anything about traditional publishing, then you know that it would have taken us years to get the book to our readers. In the ever-changing field of freelance medical writing, that just didn’t work for us. So thanks, Richard and Angela, for enabling us to reach aspiring medical writers in a timely manner.
You can learn more about Booklocker and peruse the books they offer at: http://www.booklocker.com/
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LinkedIn
If you’re familiar with the social networking phenomena of FaceBook and MySpace, then you might be interested in a social network for professionals called LinkedIn. We find it a great way to connect with colleagues, past and prospective business associates, and other writers. In tough business environments, relationships are important. LinkedIn is one way to build new relationships and nuture already established ones. Check it out: http://www.linkedin.com/
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Society for Technical Communication
The STC is a professional organization for technical writers and editors, content developers, graphic designers, Web designers, and other professionals who work in the area of technical communication. Technical communication is a very broad category encompassing many aspects of writing. To learn more about technical communication, the careers that are available in this field, and how you can benefit from what STC has to offer, go to: http://www.stc.org/
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The Farmer’s Daughter Farm Market
Interested in taking a trip to the country and buying some farm-fresh fruits and vegetables? Then check out The Farmer’s Daughter Farm Market, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Run by Chris and Rob Fry, The Farmer’s Daughter is known for their homegrown sweet corn that usually arrives just in time for July 4th. You won’t want to miss their annual Fall Fest, which takes place in mid-October. In 2008 the Farmer's Daughter was voted the "Best Farmer's Market" for a 5th year in the Pottstown Mercury's READER'S CHOICE AWARDS. To receive advance notice of their ever-changing activities, sign up for the newsletter at: http://farmersdaughterfarmmarket.com/
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Free Rice
Giving back to society is important to Brian, so when he's not writing he likes to find ways to help others. As much as he doesn't find relaxation in front of his computer, he's discovered that Free Rice is a great way to feed hungry people around the world and feed his head by challening his vocabulary. Free Rice donates 20 grains of rice for every correct answer, and has donated tens of billions of grains of rice to date! The cost is underwritten by the website sponsors. Free Rice operates in partnership with the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and the United Nations World Food Programme. Put this website on your favorites list, visit it often, and make a difference in the world! http://freerice.com/index.php
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Who doesn't love to kick back and unwind after a strenuous day? Perhaps even enjoy a few laughs? This website isn't for eveyone, but brian loves it! Lolcats (read: Laughing out loud cats, although Brian's oldest daughter prefers to pronouce it phonetically just as it's spelled: lahl-cats) is either hysterical or completely not funny. You either get it, or you don't. You decide. The website is a blog-style posting of funny cat photos with poorly spelled captions. (The captions are spelled badly because, hey, cats can't spell!) And if you don't like cats? No problem! There's also Loldogs (also very cute), LolCelebs (not as funny, but has its moments), and even LolNewsandPolitics (also has its moments). Check it out at: www.icanhascheezburger.com
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Stories of Strength
Born in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this anthology shares stories about what it takes to beat the odds. More than 100 writers contributed their essays, fiction, and poetry to raise money for disaster relief charities in the region. Featuring writing from Orson Scott Card, Wil Wheaton, and Robin Lee Hatcher. At times tear-jerking, at times humorous, this book is guaranteed to inspire and remind readers that the human spirit knows no boundaries. Cyndy’s personal essay, One Breath at a Time, is included in this anthology. Read it here.