FreePint Newsletter 166 - Olympics and Writing FreePint "Helping 70,000 people use the Web for their work" http://www.freepint.com/ ISSN 1460-7239 26th August 2004 No.166 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ALTERNATIVE NEWSLETTER FORMATS AVAILABLE AT: > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = IN THIS ISSUE ------------- EDITORIAL MY FAVOURITE TIPPLES By Patrice Curtis FREEPINT BAR In Association with Factiva a Dow Jones & Reuters Company JOBS Information & Knowledge Manager Market Research Executive Project Manager Senior Researcher (Telecoms and/or Pharma) Senior Knowledge and Information Officer TIPS ARTICLE "The Olympics" By Jonathan Crowhurst BOOKSHELF "The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook" Reviewed by Sean McManus FEATURE ARTICLE "Writing for the Profession" By Rachel Singer Gordon EVENTS, GOLD AND FORTHCOMING ARTICLES CONTACT INFORMATION ONLINE VERSION WITH ACTIVATED HYPERLINKS FULLY FORMATTED VERSION > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = ADVERTISEMENT = = = = = = = = = = = = = = *** Company information in an instant from BUREAU VAN DIJK *** Access financial information on over 11 million public and private companies worldwide (2.6 million in the UK). Products available include FAME, AMADEUS, DASH and BANKSCOPE. To find out more and to register for a FREE trial visit > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [bv1661] > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> E-Newsletters: A Guide for Publishers <<< ISBN 1-904769-06-3 This report will help novice and experienced e-newsletter publishers alike streamline their processes while making their publications more targeted and effective. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> ABOUT FREEPINT <<< FreePint is an online network of information searchers. Members receive this free newsletter twice a month: it is packed with tips on finding quality and reliable business information on the Internet. Joining is free at and provides access to a substantial archive of articles, reviews, jobs & events, with answers to research questions and networking at the FreePint Bar. Please circulate this newsletter which is best read when printed out. To receive a fully formatted version as an attachment or a brief notification when it's online, visit . > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = EDITORIAL "Never make the mistake of thinking you have nothing to share with your peers; we can all benefit from one another's ideas, research and experiences". So says Rachel Singer Gordon in today's article on writing for the information profession. With less formal publications like e-zines, professional communities, online networks and blogs flourishing online, arguably there has never been an easier time to bite the bullet and start writing. Readers of your work obviously benefit, but how do authors benefit? If you consider both writing for journals and speaking at professional conferences, then you have very little to lose and much to gain. From experience, speaking at conferences can increase personal motivation and boost your career with the realisation that others outside your immediate network really do want to hear about your experiences. Conference organisers love to receive topical proposals from practitioners, rather than sales pitches from vendors, because delegates are interested in colleagues who have "been there", "fought the battles" and "found the solutions". The reasons why people don't come forward are that they may not feel confident enough as a speaker; or they may not want to commit the time for what is often little or no financial reward. My advice is to start small. First, you will be surprised at just how arresting simple enthusiasm and practical expertise can be to a small room of jaded delegates. Feedback received by FreePint from last year's Online show, held in London , showed that the sessions valued most by many delegates were often the free exhibition floor educational sessions, just as much as the formal keynote speakers at the accompanying conference. In terms of boosting a flagging career, your boss may not always appreciate your extra writing or speaking activities. Some see it as "giving away company ideas", and, naturally, you must clear any competitive information carefully in advance. But bosses very often start to sit up and take more notice of you once you start to become known as an expert in your field, making valuable contacts. And if they don't? Then it may just be time to make the most of those new contacts and move on. But what about the lack of financial incentive? Ask any freelance information consultant and they will confirm that if you write for professional literature or speak at relevant conferences, pay may be poor or non-existent to start out, but if you carry on, what you gain in exposure and potential marketing of your business expertise pays off financially in the long term. Our other article today is a topical one on the Olympics by Jonathan Crowhurst. Although, sadly, our great British hope for Marathon Gold, Paula Radcliffe, uncharacteristically dropped out 6km from the end of the race, Team GB hasn't done too badly. If the sources listed by Jonathan aren't enough for you, then you may like to know that our partner site ResourceShelf, from Gary Price, has put up a Fast Fact list of Olympic resources deep mined from official sites . Don't forget, if you want to write for FreePint you can contact me directly with your idea for an article. Annabel Colley Editor, FreePint FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2004 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = ADVERTISEMENT = = = = = = = = = = = = = = VISIT THE CITY INFORMATION GROUP AGM & EXPO EVENT ON 29th SEPT 2004. CiG, the premier networking information Group in London, is holding a new format AGM meeting this year. We are offering: free seminars, a topical debate with key industry people, an exhibition with around 20 industry suppliers that are key to CiG members, AGM meeting to hear about CiG's development, a champagne reception and an AGM dinner with after-dinner speaker. To book visit An un-missable day of learning, exploration, networking and top tips. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [ci1662] > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> VIP No.9 Out Now <<< The August 2004 edition of VIP takes an in-depth look at two new Web products from D&B. If you purchase business information products then a subscription to VIP could save you a lot of time and money. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = MY FAVOURITE TIPPLES By Patrice Curtis * The marquee at the top of this site provides the current top 100 search terms on the Internet. * Yahoo! Buzz Index Weekly. A list of what's hot on Yahoo! * The daily top 50 search terms on the Lycos network. * Cross-check Yahoo!'s and Lycos' daily tracking of current search queries with Google's weekly tracking of hot word searches. * Check out the hottest websites, including the top 100 global sites. Patrice Curtis, MA (Hons) is Principal of Curtis Research Group, which specializes in finding and interpreting information that supports businesses and non-government organisations. A former research analyst for the Library of Congress, Patrice is a member of the Association of Independent Information Professionals. Contact her at . Submit your top five favourite Web sites. See the guidelines at . > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = ADVERTISEMENT = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> SIGN UP TO FACTIVA'S NEWSLETTER <<< Keep up to date on Factiva and information industry trends by signing up for the free InfoPro Alliance newsletter. This monthly email will provide you with tips on how to better use Factiva, more information about Factiva sources, and link you to other items of interest to global information professionals. Go to and sign up today! > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [fa1663] >>> Single order form for all FreePint reports <<< FreePint's range of in-depth reports can now be ordered using the new one single-page order form. Topics covered include copyright, freedom of information, data protection, marketing and skills. Find out more at: > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREEPINT BAR In Association with Factiva a Dow Jones & Reuters Company Everyone knows how much more bearable an inconvenient situation is when you're kept informed of what's actually happening. A core competency of information people is that they know the true importance and value of being correctly and fully informed. Back when I graduated in Information Science from Aberystwyth University, there was no easy way to chat to students on similar courses, or learn from those actually working in the real information world to which I was headed. That's all completely changed now, and it regularly brings a smile to my face to see such candid comment and experience-sharing at the FreePint Bar and Student Bar. Oh how I wish I'd had access to threads like "Becoming a Librarian ... where do I start?" or the recent frustrations of a recruiter trying to fill an information vacancy . People who are considering joining the world of information work (either as a career move or through study) should be doing so with their eyes fully opened to the sheer range of opportunities and variety that exists therein. This is true right up the information food chain. Those with budgets for buying information products and services now have direct access to their contemporaries in other organisations. For instance, can you share your thoughts (even anonymously) about Esmerk's reports and EIQUEST service? . Are you using Hemscott Guru and does their account management live up to the promises of their sales people? . VIP takes an in-depth look at products like these, and this month's edition reviews D&B's 'Global Reference Solution' and 'MarketDirect'. VIP also provides anecdotal advice, in the 'Guest Comment' column, and this month's is from OneSource and is about compliance . Moving to discussion of free sources at the Bar, and Google tops the bill of course. Is it threatening the jobs of librarians, asks the current Information Professional of the Year? . Does anyone know of an RSS feed for the Google Answers page? . Why don't all the temporary files disappear from Internet Explorer when you delete them? Or does a domain name containing relevant keywords help with search engine ranking? . A couple of specific market-related queries remain unanswered. Where can you find audience data about UK technology websites? . Is there a Channel Islands equivalent to Hemmings' Retail Directory's 'Shopping Street Surveys' database? . Or do you know of research reports about the equipment renting market in the UK (SIC Code 7121) . The Student Bar has been understandably quiet over the summer break, but I would encourage course leaders to highlight this resource to their students when they return. The Student Bar is a great way to tap into the experience of a large number of seasoned information professionals . William Hann Founder and Managing Editor, FreePint > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The FreePint Bar is where you can get free help with your tricky research questions Help with study for information-related courses is available at the FreePint Student Bar . Twice-weekly email digests of the latest postings can be requested at . > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = ADVERTISEMENT = = = = = = = = = = = = = = What is the ResourceShelf? ResourceShelf is a free daily update containing news of interest to information professionals around the world. Topics include the latest news with web search engines, research tips, new web resources, and much more. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [rs1664] >>> How do you use DigBig? <<< "I work in a library and use DigBig to pass long URLs on to customers - it's invaluable to avoid making mistakes. I don't know how they do it but it's brilliant." Information Librarian > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREEPINT JOBS The FreePint Jobs Update is being circulated widely every two weeks. This free newsletter now has 2,000 direct subscribers and is posted at the Bar and in the Bar Digest (circulation 12,000). To see the Jobs Update No.79 and read the new 'Jobs Advice' section, visit . To subscribe, modify your account at . Here are some of the latest featured jobs: Information & Knowledge Manager This will suit an information/library professional with extensive knowledge of business information sources. Recruiter: City Professionals Market Research Executive Exciting client-side research and analysis role. Recruiter: UK parcels division of La Poste Project Manager 6mnths project to audit current info & library service, analyse gap to national standards & make recommendations in healthcare sector. Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment Senior Researcher (Telecoms and/or Pharma) Senior role for top Information Specialist with Pharmaceutical and/or Telecoms expertise to work in Central London. Recruiter: Glen Recruitment Senior Knowledge and Information Officer To work within a Knowledge and Information dept, providing library resources, research and an intranet to the ombudsman service. Recruiter: Financial Ombudsman Service NB: There are 23 other jobs in the current edition of the Jobs Update . [The above jobs are paid listings] FreePint Jobs -- the best place for information vacancies. * VACANCY SEARCHING -- Free search and sign up to the Job Update. * VACANCY RECRUITING -- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy for GBP195 . 50% discount for registered charities. 10% discount for agencies. Find out more today at > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> Recruitment Agency Listings of Vacancies <<< If you work for an information-related job agency then check out the benefits of an agency account with FreePint Jobs. List all your vacancies and receive significant promotion, direct to your target market: > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = TIPS ARTICLE "The Olympics" By Jonathan Crowhurst As I write, the Athens 2004 Olympic Games are well under way after a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday 13th August. The Great Britain Olympic team, whose details you can see at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/athletics/3886539.stm> (including Steve Backley, Paula Radcliffe and Denise Lewis) are striving for a great performance and have until August 29th, when the games close, to net a respectable haul of medals. In spite of initial worries about security, construction of all the necessary facilities for hosting a world-class event and other issues that now appear to be resolved, and the Olympics are at their spiritual home in Greece. If you are planning on visiting for the remaining days of sporting events there are a number of online resources which will help get the most out of your visit and also provide background to one of the sporting events that all athletes worth their salt dream of reaching. Official Olympic Sites ---------------------- One of the first sites to visit should be that of Athens 2004, the official organisation behind the Games at . This site contains some very handy tips for visitors braving the 31-degree heat in August. The site also contains a hotel-booking page for central Athens, the Games schedule and ticket purchasing. Another great web site worth checking out is the International Olympic Committee's Official site at , home of the Olympic Movement. Check this regularly for breaking news and media releases. Paralympics is also becoming a big sporting occasion for the less able bodied and is officially represented at . All these sites are well laid out with clear navigation to specific areas of the Olympic organisation. The Official web site of the British Olympic Association is at , where all relevant information on Team GB can be found, together with lists of Official Summer and Winter Olympic sports. Readers in the US can find more information on the US Olympic team at their site . The Official BBC web site for the Olympics is at , with news on the individual sports, Team GB news, news of other nations taking part, and some other useful facts and figures. If the success of the Great Britain team inspires you to become more sporting then is a great source of facts, figures and resources including research studies on sport. Getting There ------------- If travelling from the UK by air, check out , Ryanair , BA , Lastminute , Expedia , Travelocity , for ticket information, pricing and availability. I suspect flights are booking fast and will be like Gold Dust. Before you go check out this great website, , for a wealth of information about the ancient city of Athens, Games information, travel information in Athens, tourist information and other resources, such as maps, photographs and Greek life. Another impressive looking web site is available in multilingual format. History ------- The first Modern Olympics was held in Athens in 1896. This follows from its beginnings in Ancient Greece around 776BC when four-yearly contests were held that included music and drama, as well as sports. Although requiring FREE registration in order to use all features, the Ancient Olympic Games virtual museum is well worth a visit, giving light on the historic games of Antiquity. The British Museum is also running a "Greek Summer" exhibition to coincide with the Olympics, including various special events such as Gallery talks and films. Another fascinating virtual exhibition on the ancient Olympics is run by the Perseus Project, a digital library focusing on the ancient world and can be toured at . Interestingly, this site sets the Games into context and explains some of the "Olympic Spirit" and, as today they are huge in the sporting and commercial sense, in ancient Greece the Olympics represented a major fixture in the calendars of the Greek City States of the day. A great boon with this site is the links to other relevant resources on the wider Perseus web site, should you want to know more. "Olympics Through Time" runs in a similar vein and there is more information here on the revival of the Olympics by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, with a decidedly Hellenistic point of view, but worthwhile visiting nonetheless. A history of women's involvement in the Olympics can be reviewed at . The web site is for a book on the subject, but it contains some statistics on women's success in the Games and links to other useful sites including some specifically aimed at women's sports, such as the Women's Sports Foundation of Great Britain , which aims to highlight the contribution of women to sports where they are poorly represented by the media, and improve opportunities for women to participate in sports generally. Details of Olympic sporting record breakers and other, perhaps more obscure, trivia can be found at . Of course the Olympics has not been without scandals that have tainted the otherwise valiant efforts of those athletes pursuing their sporting dreams. I will always remember the 3000 metre event where Mary Decker was allegedly tripped by Zola Budd in the 1984 Olympics (Los Angeles), leading to the latter's disqualification and later reinstatement. More recently, performance-enhancing drugs have become one of the main issues, as they have in many areas of sport generally. Links to some of these stories can be found at and . Details on performance enhancing drugs (what they are, how they work and so on) can be found at and the independent body, the World Anti Doping Agency < http://www.wada-ama.org/en/t1.asp>. maintains a list of banned substances, whilst ensuring that sport remains drug free. The Future ---------- Beijing is hosting the games in 2008, while the efforts of Great Britain to host the Olympics in 2012 have been the subject of much interest in the UK media. As well as overseeing our public libraries, the DCMS are also one of the organisations involved in the attempt to win the 2012 bid. Further information can be found at the DCMS web site and . An interesting web site boasts itself as being an "authoritative review of the Olympic bid business" and goes behind the endeavours of the cities trying to win the honour of hosting the Games. There is just under a year before the decision on who will host the 2012 games is made, on July 6th 2005. Hopefully, these resources will be useful as the Games progress this year, and best of luck to all the athletes taking part in what for many will be the chance of a lifetime. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jonathan is reading an MA in Library and Information Studies at City University. His research interests include information law, library history and development, legal information, user studies and the impact of the internet on libraries. Contact him at . > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Related FreePint links: * 'Sports and Fitness' articles in the FreePint Portal * Post a message to the author, Jonathan Crowhurst, or suggest further resources at the FreePint Bar * Read this article online, with activated hyperlinks * Access the entire archive of FreePint content > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> Willco :: Helping online publishers <<< Willco Modules are a range of tools to help publishers manage their subscribers, distribute newsletters, and run online forums. Read case studies and testimonials to see how they might reduce some of your publishing headaches: > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREEPINT BOOKSHELF "The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook" Written by Randolph Hock Reviewed by Sean McManus Google was attacked by a variant of the MyDoom worm in late July, taking the site offline. Instinctively, I kept turning to Google for information and, during the afternoon, was repeatedly frustrated by its inability to deliver. For me, the internet was broken. It was only one website that failed, but search engines are so fundamental to how we seek information online, that we're lost without our favourite. With this recent experience in mind, it was a good time for me to read 'The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook' by Randolph Hock. The book aspires to be a guide for anyone who needs to research online, from beginners to experienced searchers. One problem with such a broad remit is that there isn't space in a single book to do it justice. It's like watching one of those 'top 50 pop videos' programmes where you're satisfied with the rundown except that they've missed out lots of the gems you know about. At times I found myself wondering how Hock had overlooked the likes of open source encyclopaedia Wikipedia or Amazon's search toolbar Alexa . And many more too - doubtless you'd spot your own omissions. While that makes the book incomplete as a reference source, it doesn't undermine its usefulness as an introduction to searching. The book includes short reviews of a wide range of news, reference and directory websites. There is a meaty guide explaining how to use the leading search engines optimally and how they differ. The comparison of search logic here (including which engines will recognise AND, NEAR and OR) is particularly helpful. While there's a lot of attention paid to how the search engines work, there's not as much detail on content. It would have been helpful - and interesting - to read how the indexes compare for timeliness, editorial independence and breadth. A potential problem with books about search engines is how quickly they date. Yahoo's recent acquisition spree alone raises questions about the future of the formerly independent Alta Vista and Alltheweb search engines. Fortunately, the book has a supporting website at . Although it's hard to find the latest updates there, the site was extensively updated in April 2004 and appears to be regularly maintained. The book has a US bias in the sources selected and sometimes the vocabulary used ('foreign' means non-US although this isn't defined, and the education term K-12 goes unexplained). The UK is best represented among non-US countries, with enthusiastic references to the BBC and the UK government portal among other sites. But those outside the US whose research needs are purely domestic might be disappointed with the number of useful resources recommended to them. There are better reference resources if you're trying to track down specific information, but Hock's book is a good companion if you're ready to invest some time in sharpening your search skills. Having read this book, next time my favourite search engine dries up, I might find it easier to stay afloat. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sean McManus is a business and technology writer. He is the founder of media careers advice site JournalismCareers.com and fun mood-surfing website Wild Mood Swings . You can download free chapters from his books 'Small Business Websites That Work' and 'The Customer Service Pocketbook' (co-authored) at . The website also hosts a wide range of website development resources and a selection of original Javascript games. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Related FreePint links: * Find out more about this book online at the FreePint Bookshelf * Read customer comments and buy this book at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com * "The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook" ISBN 0910965684, published by CyberAge Books * Search for and purchase any book from Amazon via the FreePint Bookshelf at * Read about other Internet Strategy books on the FreePint Bookshelf To propose an information-related book for review, send details to . > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >>> FreePint Beermats for Information Schools <<< With the new academic year looming, if you'd like some goodies to give to students then request some FreePint beermats/coasters. They're functional, fun and free: > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FEATURE ARTICLE "Writing for the Profession" By Rachel Singer Gordon Many information professionals, understandably busy with both day-to-day responsibilities and keeping up with our rapidly-changing field, may feel overwhelmed by the idea of making original contributions to the profession. One of the best ways to remain current and connected, however, is by taking the time to contribute through writing for publication. Our research and writing activities also allow us to engage in the time-honored library tradition of sharing information with others -- only, in this case, with our colleagues. Writing for the library literature allows us to stretch our minds and to think about our profession and where it is headed. It allows us to contribute to our ongoing professional conversation, which in turn helps define the underpinnings of our field. Getting Started --------------- Our active body of professional literature can only benefit by incorporating new and varied voices. The publishing process, though, can seem unnecessarily intimidating to first-time writers. New librarian authors can confront that intimidation factor by looking at writing for publication as an opportunity to share their opinions, ideas, experiences, or successes with others. Information professionals do this all the time in less formal venues, from weblogs, to email lists, to workshops, to discussions with co-workers. Publishing your work in the literature lets you extend this conversation to a broader range of people, and to make your contribution in a more permanent way. Newer writers should also take every opportunity to connect with other librarian authors. Seek out co-authors that can help keep you on track and with whom you can exchange ideas; seek out mentors that can advise you on research directions or publication outlets and do a first reading on your work. You can begin with smaller and more-defined writing projects, such as book reviews or conference write-ups. Calls for reviewers and conference summaries are often posted in association magazines and review journals; keep an eye out for these as you do your professional reading. Think about your larger writing projects as growing organically out of your work and the thinking you do about the profession. Your ideas can stem either from your experiences or your interests, and ideally out of a combination of both. Never make the mistake of thinking you have nothing to share with your peers; we all can benefit from one another's ideas, research, and experiences. Where To Publish ---------------- The decision about where to publish your work depends on the type of article or monograph you wish to write. Academic research articles have an inherently different audience than informal "how we did it good" write-ups, for example. Many academic librarians will need to publish in peer-reviewed (refereed) journals to qualify for tenure and/or promotion within their institutions. Some institutions will also place importance on the relative prestige of the publication. When beginning this process, newer writers should seek out published colleagues to read and critique their work; the importance of a supportive network should not be underestimated. Newer authors can also consider contributing their work to journals such as portal: Libraries and the Academy , which actively mentor newer writers and help them through the peer-review process. If you feel strongly about the issue of open access, or want to ensure a broader audience for your freely-available work, browse through the LIS section of the Directory of Open Access Journals: . (Note, however, that not all of these are refereed; check the web pages of each for details and instructions to authors.) Information professionals outside the academic environment, and those with less pressing tenure issues, enjoy an enormous variety of publication outlets. These range from online newsletters, such as FreePint itself or Info Career Trends , to topical publications like Computers in Libraries , to more general or association journals like the Canadian Library Association's Feliciter . You can find a large list of international LIS publications at BUBL ; look for author guidelines on the web pages of each. If you wish to publish a book-length manuscript, the best place to start is, often, by examining the author guidelines of the publishing arm of your national professional association: in the U.S., ALA Editions at ; in the UK, Facet Publishing at . This will give you an idea of the types of proposals each solicits and the types of manuscripts they publish. If your topic seems inappropriate here, start looking at other books with a similar tone or topic to yours. See who is most likely to publish in that area, then visit those various publishers' web sites to examine their guidelines and current needs. Realize that proposal guidelines will vary by publisher, and that the proposal you create for one will need reworking in order to be appropriate for another. Dealing With Rejection ---------------------- As with anything in life, if you put your writing out there, you face the inevitable prospect of rejection. If you let the prospect of possible rejection paralyze you, you sabotage your own success. Maximize your odds of acceptance by following guidelines diligently and by familiarizing yourself with the tone and style of various publishing outlets. It does you no good to submit an opinion essay to the Journal of Academic Librarianship; it avails you little to propose your heavily-footnoted research article to Library Journal. If a publication follows an editorial calendar, be sure to propose an article that fits into one of its upcoming themes. If it asks for manuscripts in plain text, do not submit them in Microsoft Word. If it asks for a query, send a letter rather than a finished manuscript. Realize also that editors may often reject a manuscript or a query for reasons unrelated to its actual quality. It may not quite fit their needs, or they may already be publishing something similar in the near future. Be ready and willing to make revisions and to resubmit to the next publisher on your list. When you do so, ensure that you have made sufficient revisions that it meets the next publisher's guidelines, as these will vary. Use your information-seeking skills to do your research before submitting your work anywhere, which will give you a leg up in the process. Where To From Here? ------------------- The preceding suggestions apply also to those seeking to publish outside of the profession, as well as to those in related fields wishing to see their own writing in print. All of us face similar issues, and we need to identify the people and the publishers that most closely match our writing styles, goals, and interests. Keep your eye out for opportunities that might fit your interests. Information professionals can follow professional development weblogs such as Beyond the Job and A Library Writer's Blog , in which each post calls for papers and information on related writing opportunities. Those outside the profession can follow relevant e-mail lists and weblogs in their respective fields, which often contain topical publishing opportunities as well. Read widely in the literature to get a feel for both trends and gaps, and always be alert to where your work might find a home. Also, take some time to establish your connections and look at what other writers are doing. Investigate sites such as Emerald's Research Register , which allows authors to inform others about their pre-publication research. DLIST (Digital Library of Information Science and Technology) and E-LIS (E-Prints in Library and Information Science) both serve as open-access archives for LIS-related documents; use them to see what others are working on, and think about depositing your own efforts. Once you get started, you may be surprised at how easily ideas and opportunities flow. Seize the chance to get your voice heard and your work published, and join the ongoing professional conversation. Additional Resources -------------------- Crawford, Walt. First Have Something to Say: Writing for the Library Profession. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2003. - A brief, gung-ho guide for new librarian-writers; also includes related info on presenting. Gordon, Rachel Singer. The Librarian's Guide to Writing for Publication. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2004. - Expands on the material included in this article; also contains interviews with editors from various types of publications/publishers. NMRTWriter e-mail list supporting librarian writers: - Although sponsored by the American Library Association's New Members Round Table, the list is open to all; topics include writing advice and calls for contributors. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rachel Singer Gordon is webmaster of the library careers site Lisjobs.com, editor of the Info Career Trends electronic newsletter, and author of Library Journal's "NextGen" and "Computer Media" columns. She has published several books for information professionals, most recently The Librarian's Guide to Writing for Publication (Scarecrow, 2004), The Accidental Systems Librarian (ITI, 2003), and The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online (ITI, 2002). More on Rachel and her work can be found at . > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Related FreePint links: * 'Information and Libraries' articles in the FreePint Portal * Post a message to the author, Rachel Singer Gordon, or suggest further resources at the FreePint Bar * Read this article online, with activated hyperlinks * Access the entire archive of FreePint content > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FORTHCOMING EVENTS United Kingdom: * Digital Resources for the Humanities 2004 5th - 8th September * Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 7th September * ECDL 2004 European Conference on Digital Libraries, 12th - 17th September * Gartner IT Security Summit 2004, 20th - 21st September * Taking the e out of e-learning 21st September Canada: * e-Institutions WorldExpo, 8th - 9th September Australia: * neXt 2005: ALIA National Library and Information Technicians Conference 6th - 9th September Netherlands: * Email Management: Reclaiming Email as an Effective Communication Channel, 27th - 28th September This is just a selection from the 27 listings in FreePint Events. 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