How to Get Published, Part IV: The Book

• Published in: Community & junior college libraries Vol. 20; no. 1-2; pp. 49 - 52
• Main Author: Lonergan, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 03-04-2014
• Subjects: Contracts; Editing; Guidelines; Librarians; Publishing; Publishing Industry; Writing for Publication
• ISSN: 0276-3915; 1545-2522; 1545-2522
• DOI: 10.1080/02763915.2014.1004932

The earlier entries in this series have, among other things, discussed the motives that may lead librarians into writing and publishing, how one may choose appropriate journals as targets for article submission, and how to evaluate whether one would be rewarded in any sense for research, writing and publication at one's college. The idea of publishing in book form was raised in passing, but this--the final entry in a series--is intended to more comprehensively address books and book publishing for the novice. A first-time book author should use the same kinds of logic in choosing a press for submission as have been discussed previously in this series, but with the knowledge that the book-length manuscript is much harder to peddle. Also, rules for submission are usually listed, which include things like whether simultaneous submissions are acceptable or first chapter and outline would be preferred to an entire manuscript. You can also try to break into book-length publishing by editing a special journal issue mentioned by the author in earlier papers, or a scholarly volume on a topic you know well. Librarians also do well in contributions to reference works, which can be an entree to editing one for a publisher now familiar with your work. And, last, there is the question of the contract, when should you actively seek a contract? Your experience may vary from this, but on the whole a contract is useful when you are trying to attract contributors, when you are attempting to impress a potential interviewee with your businesslike nature, or when the contract brings some benefits with it. If you find yourself attracted, write the book and try to submit it. [For Part 1, see EJ923188; For Part 2, see EJ1024926; and For Part 3, see EJ1041559.]