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Introduction
AIIP members are often counseled to publish
Many AIIP members already publish
For clients as well as public
Some AIIP members are confident writers, others are
terrified
Journalism’s 5 Ws: Who, What, Where, When, Why.
I’ve added How
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My Background
MLS from University of Pittsburgh
First article in ONLINE – v. 2, 1978
Started writing Dollar Sign column in 1987
Became editor of Database in 1997
Became editor of ONLINE in 2001; Title changed to
Online Searcher in 2013
Also involved in conference program planning:
WebSearch University, Enterprise Search Summit,
Internet Librarian International
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Who
You - if you can write a report for a client, you can
write for publication
Audience
Existing clients
New clients
Professional group
Local, regional, worldwide
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Who
Else to involve
Co-author
Writing buddy
Copy editor
Layout person
Web designer
Reality checker
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Who
Owns what you write?
Can you change this?
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What
Will you write about?
Write about what you know or what you want to know
more about
Write what someone wants to read
Write what an editor wants to publish
Are your personal/professional goals?
What you write should align with your goals
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What
Writing style to use
Formal, informal
You might want to forget some grammar rules
Specified style sheet
Stay away from academic style
Concentrate on action verbs, simple declarative
sentences
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What
Will you be paid?
Do you expect to be paid?
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Where
Will you write?
At home, in the office, at coffee shop?
Will people read your writing?
Your website, blog?
Publisher decides for you?
Email blast?
In book
Will they find it?
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Where
Will you publish?
Journals (non peer-reviewed or peer-reviewed)
Newsletters (yours or someone else’s)
Newspapers
Popular press
Social media (blogs particularly)
Book
Self-publishing
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Where to Publish
For the profession (which profession?)
Library journals, Target market journals
AIIP newsletter
For clients
Publications potential clients will read
Technical journals
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Where are You in Your Career
Just starting
Validation
Middle
Credibility
Change in focus
Experienced
Knowledge sharing
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When
Regularly scheduled publication?
How time sensitive is information
Does someone else determine schedule
Will you find the time to write?
Carve out a particular time of day
Vow to write a certain number of words per day (even if
you never publish them)
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Why
Do you want to do this?
What’s in it for you
Raise visibility, professional recognition
Acquire new customers, Gain existing customer loyalty
Prove expertise, Validate knowledge base
Personal satisfaction
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How
The mechanics of writing
Grammar – differences between US and UK grammar
Spelling – remember that spell check doesn’t catch
everything
Used – sued; meditate – mediate; nuclear – unclear;
now – not; portable – potable
Don’t pick first option spell check presents
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How
To work with editors
Before you pitch an article, become familiar with
publication and read author guidelines, look at editorial
calendar (if there is one)
Follow author guidelines
Keep in contact with editors
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How to Write for Publication
Questions?
Ask here or contact me at:
marydee@xmission.com
Online Searcher
www.infotoday.com/onlinesearcher
