Technical Writers Needed for API Doc: Really?

["Cedric Simard" <cedricns -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

Hi all,

I'm looking for resources (an article, a particular messsage in a forum, a 
page on web site...) that talk about the added-value of technical writers 
when it comes to documenting an API.

All CTOs and most of the programmers I've met till now keep on saying that 
only a programmer can produce documentation for programmers. As you can 
imagine, I've tried convincing them by defining more precisely what a 
technical writer is and what it can bring to such projects.

Still, they think it would be too expensive to train a technical writer so 
that he/she can become independent enough to document APIs. The result is 
they would not even let any chance to this idea. The only thing they agree 
with is that the technical writer can proofread the documentation to put it 
in proper English.

I do not like the idea of tech writer being only a proofreader. The 
technical writer can also bring his/her skills on documentation structure 
and information management. Still, I have to admit I'm still wondering if 
all those CTOs and developers are not right, after all?

What's your opinion?
Any resources and ideas are welcome!

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