APA-ALA Call for Newsletter Writers

Below is a message I received on the NMRT-L listserv:

ALA-APA is in need of newsletter article writers for its publication, Library Worklife: HR E-News for Today's Leaders. The electronic newsletter is sent monthly to thousands of ALA institutional members and subscribers. The newsletter informs readers about issues—career advancement, certification, human resources practice, pay equity, recruitment, research, work/life balance—that concern all library employees. We are particularly interested in HR Law, HR Practice Support Staff and Worklife-focused articles. Here are a few possible topics, but feel free to send me your own. If you write three articles in a 12-month period, you receive a free annual subscription. Our guidelines for submission are on the ALA-APA website. Please email jgrady@ala.org your topic(s) and your preferred deadline(s).

Developing a great relationship with your boss· Finding a job when you're trailing your partner· Why you would take a lateral career move· Learning style assessments· Personality assessments· Management assessments· Conflict management in the office· Explaining why you left an organization or seem to "move a lot" and how to talk about a bad situation without burning a bridge or yourself· Sloppy speech habits like "uh"· Developing a personal budget and financial goals· Great staff development programs· How to get someone to critique your resume and how not to get caught in the critique cycle· Business ethics· Interviewer styles· How to follow up after an interview· Asking for a raise during a promotion· Tips for working from home· How a career coach can make a difference· What every library employee needs to keep in/on their desk

Eliminating Unnecessary Words

I heard some really good suggestions recently on the NMRT-L listserv that discussed eliminating unnecessary words and tightening up sentence structure:

"I was criticized in my 8th grade physics report card for being 'overly verbose.' For anyone else with this trait, I recommend reading Stephen King's 'On Writing.' It's a fantastic read - heck, everybody who writes at all should take a look if you haven't already. It's full of advice that will have you looking at adverbs in a whole new way."

-Linda Shippert

"I also recommend editing a printed newsletter or something similarly space-limited. It's amazing what an eye you can develop!"

-Elizabeth Crownfield

And, my own suggestion:

Reading aloud what you've written allows awkward sentences, unnecessary words, etc. to make their way to the surface.

-The Writer Librarian

Interesting article on self-publishing

Found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/books/28selfpub.html?em=&pagewanted=all

4 Things to Remember when Writing

Ok, so perhaps you have a big writing project coming up. Maybe you're publishing in a journal for the first time. Or, maybe you're beefing up your Web page or online portfolio. When staring a new project, here are some key tips to remember:

1. Remember your purpose

Above all, you are writing for your readers. What do you want them to learn or gain after they've read your written work? Write down the answer to this question, and put it in a place you can easily refer back to while completing the project.

2. Know your stuff

It is easier to write about a topic when you've done your homework. Conduct thorough research through a wide variety different formats (authoritative websites, scholarly online journals, books, encylopedias, etc), and then be sure to organize your data in a way that is efficient for your writing.

3. Did I say organize?

You should not only organize your research, but also develop an outline to help keep you focused. Consider what you what you want to cover. Again, what is the main point that you want to convey to your readers? What do you want to say first? Last? Keep referring back to your outline as a map to guide you toward a cohesive sequence. Also, remember to break down your work into manageable chunks. Write two pages a day instead of trying to fit 14 pages in one sitting.

4. Don't micromanage your writing

When developing a first draft, focus on your main points and overall organization instead of harping on sentence and word details. Correcting spelling, grammar, and syntax should should be put off until after you've finished your first draft. Once you are ready to revise, reading the work aloud helps determine its readability, clarity, and unity. So, relax.

-The Writer Librarian

Joe the Plumber's Pen

I think this article will resonate with quite a few aspiring writers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/opinion/07egan.html?ref=opinion

Opportunity for New Librarians to Publish

From beyondthejob.org...

Call for book chapters: Library instruction lesson plans

Fiction Fixer = Useful?

Fiction Fixer is a paid (quite a hefty price too!) online editorial program that will help edit your manuscript for you. It is designed for people who want to be bestsellers. For the curious, here is a sample evaluation. Note: Fiction Fixer works best via Firefox.

The site also offers some free resources, such as a recommended reading list of books. Subcategories within this list include:
Fundamentals (read these first)
Craft (Basic)
Craft (Advanced)
Details
Form
Editing and Revision

So, do any of you think that the Fiction Fixer editing service could be useful for those willing to pay the price? I'm thinking that one could pay a regular, human editor a lesser amount to do a better job.

I am interested to hear what you have to say.

Addendum to my last post:

I admit I got onto a bit of a rant. My main point was not that anyone can publish, but that a lot of material gets published for the purpose of making a profit instead of considering the point-of-view of the reader.