1 / 18

Part-Time Author, Full-Time Librarian

0. Part-Time Author, Full-Time Librarian. Writing for the Professional Press. John J. Burke, MSLS 2005 Ohio Library Council Annual Conference. “Writing and reading is to me synonymous with existing.” -- Getrude Stein “Omit needless words.” -- Strunk and White, The Elements of Style.

pemerson
Download Presentation

Part-Time Author, Full-Time Librarian

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 0 Part-Time Author, Full-Time Librarian Writing for the Professional Press John J. Burke, MSLS 2005 Ohio Library Council Annual Conference

  2. “Writing and reading is to me synonymous with existing.” -- Getrude Stein “Omit needless words.” -- Strunk and White, The Elements of Style

  3. Goals for the session • Why do I think you should write? • My case example • Motivation for writing • Strategies for pursuing publication • Thoughts on the writing process

  4. Writing for ourselves • Practicing library staff writing for practicing library staff • Sharing experiences • Giving back for the good of the field • If you don’t write about it, who will?

  5. Two approaches • What do you know – what can you share with others? • What would you like to know more about? • Professional needs • Personal interests

  6. The part-time author . . . • 3 books (1996, 1999, 2001) • 1 new edition in progress (out in early 2006) • Articles and book reviews in peer-reviewed journals, newspapers, newsletters, and campus publications. . . . the full-time librarian • 12 years in libraries (Fairmont State College (WV), the University of Cincinnati, and Miami University) • 7+ years of teaching library-related credit courses

  7. Why do I write? • How it all began • Writing I want to do • Writing I have to do • Have something to fall back on • Open yourself up to opportunities

  8. Your motivation 0 • The four Ps: • Passion • Professional development • Promotion (“publish or perish”) • Pocketbook • Picture the outcome • How far will your motivation carry you?

  9. Falsehoods of writing • Only experts can write. • You need an agent to get published. • It’s too hard to write. • You have to drink a lot. • I’ll never be on Oprah.

  10. What makes you a writer? • Writing! – write on a regular basis • Are you good at: • Explaining things to others? • Writing documentation? • Communicating your ideas verbally or in text? • Gathering facts and doing research • Attention to detail: grammar and punctuation • Reading! – not just library documents • Keeping track of trends and developments

  11. Your professional opportunities • Books • Library literature (research and practical articles) • Association periodicals and newsletters • Library e-journals and web sites • Blogs • Local opportunities: newspaper columns, organizational newsletters, press releases, etc. • Library-related and beyond • Crossover content

  12. Your strategy for publication • Start with what you know • A “story to tell” or a gap • Brainstorm – find your focus • Get reactions from colleagues • Decide on a direction – where • Books – sign contract first, then write • Articles – write and submit • Consider how long it will take – when • Prepare a proposal (formal or informal)

  13. Plan writing into your life – how and where • Start writing • Finish writing • Get comments and proofread the work • Submit it to publisher • Make corrections and resubmit • Finalize work for publication • Get published (your name in print) • Promote your work! • Read reviews (start all over again)

  14. Between 8 and 9 • Don’t expect perfection in the first draft • Just write • Blocks will come, and blocks will go • Need to set time aside (make it a habit) • Set goals within the larger deadline

  15. What about the time? • Time to write • Time to think • Time to learn • Time to read • Time to wait

  16. Resources to consult • The Library Writer’s Blog (http://librarywriting.blogspot.com) • Resources for Library Writers (http://library.utoledo.edu/userhomes/cseeman/writers) • Crawford, Walt. First Have Something to Say: Writing for the Library Profession. Chicago: American Library Association, 2003. • Bell, Steven J. “What Works For Me: 10 Tips for Getting Published.” Ex Libris 225 & 226 (http://marylaine.com/exlibris/xlib225.html)

  17. My recommendations • Start small and think big • Try a conference presentation • Watch for opportunities and move quickly • Never doubt you can do it • Don’t quit your day job

  18. Questions? Don’t forget! – Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion (2nd ed.) is out in early 2006! John J. Burke Miami University Middletown burkejj@muohio.edu 513-727-3293 http://www.users.muohio.edu/burkejj/ (for presentation)

More Related