Writing for Publication March 19, 2014

Leadership & Management Division

Bruce Rosenstein Stuart Hales

LMD Webinar-Writing For Publication

Bruce Rosenstein

www.brucerosenstein.com

March 19, 2014

Bruce Rosenstein books:

Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way (published by McGraw-Hill, November 2013)

Living in More Than One World: How Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your Life (published by Berrett-Koehler, August 2009)

In your own journey to book publication, there will be many choices that must be considered, including:

Non-fiction or fictionLibrary/information-related or other topicsTraditional publishers or self-publishedLarge or small publishersLiterary agents or finding a publisher yourselfWriting solo or with co-authors

Writing books can take considerable time, effort and resources (including money). Among other things, you must consider:

Research (this may include travel costs, which can add up quickly)

Potential additions/upgrades of technology

Publicity and promotion

Travel and other costs for doing in-person events

Book proposals

Writing books also takes

PerseverancePatienceWillingness to accept feedbackAbility to deal with rejectionNetworking abilityEnthusiasmInterpersonal skills

In addition, if you work with an agent, a percentage of your book sales will go to that person as long as your books are in print (usually 10-15% of sales)

Consider your “platforms” to help create and sustain awareness for your books

Blogs WebsitesSocial MediaYour related professional workfrom your job and non-workactivitiesVideos

Timeline for Living in More Than One World

September 2002: Decided to write a book about Peter Drucker and the individual (as opposed to Drucker and the organization)October 2002: First visit to Claremont, Cal., to research the book at the Drucker ArchivesJanuary 2003: Return to Claremont to interview Drucker in personApril 2005: More in-person interviews with Drucker in Claremont, including for a videoJuly 2007: Started working with my current agentJuly 2008: Contract with Berrett-KoehlerOctober 2008: First draft dueJanuary 2009: Final draft dueAugust 2009: Publication

Timeline for Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way

August 2012: Proposals sent to publishersSeptember 2012: Contract with McGraw-HillMay 1, 2013: First draft dueSummer-early fall 2013: Editing/copy-editingNovember 22, 2013: Publication date

To learn more about my books..

Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way: Developing and Applying a Forward-Focused Mindset:

http://brucerosenstein.com/create-your-future/

Living in More Than One WorldHow Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your Life

http://brucerosenstein.com/living-in-more/#more-19

Thank you for participating in this webinar!

To learn more, please visitwww.brucerosenstein.com

contact me: bruce@brucerosenstein.com

Writing for Publication

Getting Published in the

Library Trade Press

Why write an article?

Do you want to …

• Acquire/enhance professional credentials?

• Satisfy a professional requirement?

• Help jump-start a new career (consultant, speaker, etc.)?

These are legitimate reasons for wanting to write, but they miss the point.

Hint: Writing isn’t about you

Publishing isn’t about the writer—it’s about the readers (and the editor).

• Readers read for themselves, not for you.

• Do you have something to say that somebody will want to read? Can you convince an editor that you do?

Who are your readers?

You have something to say that you think will interest librarians. Fine—but which librarians?

• Librarians in a certain market, such as law librarians or medical librarians?

• Librarians just starting their careers? Those who are more experienced?

The fewer the audiences, the better.

You can’t please everyone …

… and you shouldn’t try.

• 500 engaged readers are better than 5,000 indifferent ones.

• Think of your audience as a bell curve—where are your readers on that curve?

• Avoid the “newbies and seasoned professionals alike” temptation.

Which publication reaches your readers?

Your article won’t be read if your readers don’t see it.

• If more than one publication serves your audience, which is the best “fit” for your tone, preferred length, format, etc.?

• A well-written article in a lesser-known publication trumps a poorly written article in a highly respected publication.

Pitching the editor

Editors are readers, too. Keep that in mind when you make your pitch.

• What’s in it for the readers? What do they need to know, and why do they need to know it? How will they benefit from your article?

• Attach an outline that shows the topics to be addressed and how the article will flow.

• Describe your qualifications for writing the article, but keep them brief and focused.

Feedback is your friend

Pay careful attention to feedback from editors and respond appropriately.

• Feedback on your proposal/outline is of critical importance. Embracing it will minimize wasted effort and misunderstandings down the line.

• Does the feedback take your article in a new direction—possibly one in which you aren’t prepared to go? If so, is a co-author an option?

Writing the 1st draft

• Consider sending a partial draft to the editor or a colleague for feedback.

• Keep editor apprised of progress, especially if you encounter difficulties or delays or article starts going in a new direction.

• Will article need internal review and approval?

• Correct spelling and grammar are musts. Always proofread before submitting.

Writing the 2nd draft

• Review all changes and comments before making revisions. Comments and changes in the body of the article may influence your revisions to the opening paragraphs.

• Is the article still yours? Do the changes and comments alter the article in such a way that you no longer feel pride of authorship?

• Don’t lose yourself to try to gain readers.

Give credit where credit is due

Too often, authors put great care into writing the article, but very little into crediting their sources.

• Know the preferred citation format of the publication for which you are writing (e.g., author-date).

• A URL is not a citation.

• When in doubt, use a style manual.

All the news that fits …

• Editors typically retain the right to make changes as they see fit, even after the author and editor sign off on an article. Don’t assume the article will be published exactly as it appeared when it was approved.

• If you feel strongly about retaining certain information or specific language, be sure to inform the editor.

Leadership & Management Division

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author of Leading from the Middle, for

Freedom at Work: New & Old Concepts