Writing and Publishing: The Librarian's Handbook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful book for librarians who have any interest at all in writing for publication. With contributions from about 50 librarians from every sector of librarianship, there's not a writing-related topic that I can think of that isn't discussed in at least a passing manner except indexing and it's probably in there and I just missed it.
I work with a lot of colleagues who are panic-stricken at the idea of having to do research and write for promotion and tenure. (Something I've always found perplexing since so many of us have undergraduate degrees in English and History!) I wish I could buy ten copies and pass them out to each one looking at going up for tenure in a few years. Unfortunately, however, the publisher -- the American Library Association -- is charging $65.00 for a book that should be $19.95; $29,95 at the most. (Oh, I almost forgot, if you've paid your $130.00 personal annual membership to ALA, you can get it for the bargain price of $58.50.) One would think that if any title would be subsidized by ALA to be affordable to its members, this would be it... but, nooooo. ALA keeps on squeezing!
Still, Carol Smallwood has pulled together a marvelous collection. There are nearly 100 articles; here's a sample: "Writing for Tenure"; "Becoming an Expert: Find Your Niche"; "Writing with Colleagues: Strategies for Getting the Work Done"; "Librarian Writing Groups"; "Working with Book and Journal Editors to Revise Your Manuscript"; "Preparing for Publication: Strategies for Identifying Potential Library Journals"; "The End of the Beginning: Learning from Rejection"; "Self-Publishing"; "Twenty-Five Years at BookExpo"; "Publishing Mystery Fiction"; "Writing for Reference Books"; "Tips for Compiling a Publishable Bibliography"; "Press Kits and News Releases"; "Writing a Newspaper Column"; "Book Reviews"; "Peer-Reviewing"; "Ten Tips for Becoming a Successful Restaurant Reviewer"; "Writing Video Reviews"; "Freelance Magazine Writing for Librarians"; "Crafting a Compelling Bibliographic Essay"; "Textbook Writing"; "Writing for Children's Magazines"; "The Public Library as Picture Book Publisher"; "The Poet Librarian"; "Blogging Tips for Librarians"; "Librarians as Personal Bloggers"; "Writing for Library Websites"; "Confessions of an Amazon.com Reviewer"; "Editing Books"; and, "Editing a Library Association Magaziine," among many others!
ALA has done a good job with the physical format and layout, as the book has an attractive cover and sturdy soft binding; the content is practical, helpful, and diverse; and, specific topics are presented one-to-three pages at a time, grouped into broad topical sections. The text is very readable/skimable in a double columned format with a good-sized font.
Highly recommended for personal, professional reading and library collections of all kinds for the resident librarians to have the opportunity check-out and use!
R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University

Click Here to see more reviews about: Writing and Publishing: The Librarian's Handbook

Have you ever considered writing or reviewing for the library community? Are you interested in publishing a book on your favorite author or hobby? Do you need to write and publish for tenure? If so, "Writing and Publishing" is for you. Practical how-to guidance from library professionals will help you write: as an expert for other library professionals; creative copy and information about your library; copy for websites, blogs, and online columns; bibliographic essays and lists; and, book reviews (formal and informal). "Writing and Publishing" will serve as a great resource, whether in taking the anxiety out of writing or refining your style, you'll use this book as much as your pen or keyboard!

Click here for more information about Writing and Publishing: The Librarian's Handbook