[SadCordDrone]

I don't really think technical writers are held in same contempt as project managers. They don't make life hell for engineers without knowing shit. At least they understand the tech more than project manager who just tries to move tickets and create meaningless metrics.

On the other hand, why would you hire English majors without any technical background for technical writing? At least you should give them some training before letting them work.

[julian_t]

Years ago Wrox Press got me to come in and give a basic Java programming course to the tech editors who were going to work on a series of Java books. They were mainly English and history grads, and the head man wanted them to have some idea of what they were working with. It definitely made the whole writing process easier from the pov of the author.