Writing for Professional Publication : Keys to Academic and Business Success

by Henson, Kenneth T.

• ISBN13: 9780205283132
• ISBN10: 0205283136
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This essential reference -- written by a prolific author who has over 20 educational books to his credit, and whose work has appeared in more than 200 nationally-referred journals - doesn't just talk about writing and publishing. It tells exactly what writers can do to dramatically improve their chances for getting published. Originally prepared to support the author's Writing for Publication workshops (delivered on 200+ college campuses), the book emphasizes writing articles for professional journals and/or having manuscripts accepted by university presses. The author's proven principles, strategies and tactics can be applied to virtually any form of publishing from specialized or general magazines to nonfiction books of all types. Each chapter is a do-it-yourself module guiding both novice and advanced writers in developing the critical skills and habits needed for writing success. Packed with anecdotes and examples of writing, this book covers it all from finding topics, getting started, and doing research to contacting editors, writing and self-editing manuscripts, and keeping track of submissions and acceptances. This all-inclusive guide makes writing projects easier, more enjoyable...and more successful!

Table of Contents

Illustrations	xiii	(2)
Preface	xv	(2)
Acknowledgments	xvii	(2)
About the Author	xix
1 Why Write?	1	(22)
Reasons to Write	3	(7)
A Time and Place for Everything	10	(1)
When Is the Best Time to Write?	11	(1)
Tooling Up for the Job	12	(1)
The Best Place to Write	13	(6)
Perennial Excuses	19	(1)
Taking Inventory	19	(1)
A Final Word	20	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	21	(1)
References	22	(1)
2 Finding Topics	23	(9)
The Dissertation: A Source of Topics	24	(2)
Grants as a Source of Topics	26	(1)
Your Job as a Source of Topics	26	(1)
Other Occupations as Sources of Writing Topics	27	(1)
Reference Books as a Source of Topics	27	(2)
Forecasting the Future	29	(2)
Using Speakers to Predict Future Topics	29	(1)
Using Journal Editors to Predict Future Topics	30	(1)
Using Professional Association Yearbook Editors to Predict Future Topics	30	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	31	(1)
Reference	31	(1)
3 Getting Started	32	(10)
The Right Title	32	(4)
Choosing Titles for Nonfiction Journal Articles	34	(2)
Writing the First Sentence	36	(1)
Paragraphing	37	(1)
Go Ahead and Write	38	(1)
Profile: Arnold and Jeanne Cheyney	39	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	40	(1)
References	41	(1)
4 About Style	42	(15)
Writing Clearly	44	(12)
Write Concisely	45	(1)
Write Positively	46	(4)
Treat Genders Fairly	50	(6)
Recapping the Major Points	56	(1)
References	56	(1)
5 Organizing Articles	57	(12)
Organizing Nonfiction Articles	58	(10)
Organizing Skill No. 1: Establishing Credibility	58	(1)
Organizing Skill No. 2: Achieving Substance	59	(2)
Organizing Skill No. 3: Paragraphing	61	(5)
Organizing Skill No. 4: Using Flowcharts to Organize	66	(2)
Putting It Together	68	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	68	(1)
References	68	(1)
6 Using Journals, Libraries, Surveys, and Action Research	69	(18)
Using Journals	69	(6)
Physical Characteristics	69	(1)
Article Length	70	(1)
Reading Level	70	(2)
Guidelines for Authors	72	(1)
Call for Manuscripts	72	(1)
Coming Themes	73	(1)
Reviewers' Guidelines and Rating Scales	73	(2)
Using Libraries	75	(4)
Identifying Topics	75	(1)
Identifying Target Journals	76	(3)
Using Your Own Expertise	79	(1)
Using Surveys	79	(5)
Using Action Research	84	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	85	(1)
References	86	(1)
7 Common Errors in Writing for Journals	87	(18)
The Nature of Writing	87	(1)
Mistakes and Recommendations	88	(15)
Mistake: Lack of Familiarity with the Journal and Its Readers	88	(1)
Mistake: Wrong Style	89	(3)
Mistake: Failure to Check for Grammatical Errors	92	(1)
Mistake: Failure to Include Substance	92	(2)
Mistake: Failure to Write Simply and Clearly	94	(2)
Recommendation: Select Your Target Journals in Advance	96	(1)
Recommendation: Identify Coming Themes	97	(1)
Recommendation: Find a Good Title	97	(1)
Recommendation: Focus on the Opening Paragraph	97	(1)
Recommendation: Avoid Provincialism	97	(4)
Recommendation: Review Your Manuscript	101	(2)
Recapping the Major Points	103	(1)
References	104	(1)
8 Communicating with Journal Editors	105	(10)
The Author-Editor Relationship	105	(7)
The Telephone	106	(2)
The Query Letter	108	(3)
The Cover Letter	111	(1)
Guest Editing	112	(2)
Recapping the Major Points	114	(1)
References	114	(1)
9 Questions Writers Ask	115	(23)
Why Do You Write?	115	(1)
What Suggestions Can You Give to Aspiring Writers?	116	(1)
Have You a Favorite Success Story?	117	(1)
How Do You Handle Rejection?	118	(2)
What Distinguishes Highly Successful Writers from Less Successful Writers?	120	(1)
Is It O.K. to Send a Manuscript to Multiple Publishers?	120	(1)
Are There Advantages in Collaborating?	121	(1)
Should I Collaborate Long Distance?	122	(1)
Should I Write Articles before Writing Short Stories or Books?	123	(1)
What Is a Refereed Journal?	123	(1)
Is It Wise to Use Vanity Publishers?	124	(1)
What about Self-Publishing?	125	(2)
If Asked, Should I Pay a Journal Publishing Expenses?	127	(1)
Should I Be a Specialist or a Generalist?	128	(1)
Questions about Copyright	128	(2)
How Can Authors Learn to Use the Library More Effectively?	130	(1)
Are Colloquialisms and Cliches Acceptable?	131	(1)
What Should I Do When an Editor Keeps Holding My Manuscript?	131	(1)
Whose Name Comes First?	132	(1)
Who Is Listed First If the Collaborators Are Professors and Graduate Students?	132	(1)
If I Furnish My Dissertation or Thesis for a Collaborator to Shape into a Manuscript, Is That an Equitable Exchange?	132	(1)
If I Share a Book Idea with a Publisher, How Can I Be Sure It Won't Be Turned Over to a More Experienced Author?	133	(1)
What Does It Mean When an Editor Asks the Author to Rewrite and Resubmit a Manuscript? Should I Do That?	133	(1)
Should I Use a Computer?	134	(1)
Profile: Vance Wisenbaker	135	(1)
What Should I List on My Resume as Publications?	136	(1)
A Few of My Colleagues and I Have Been Talking about Getting Together on a Regular Basis to Discuss Our Writing. Do You Recommend This and, If So, Can You Give Us Some Advice?	136	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	137	(1)
References	137	(1)
10 Getting Book Contracts	138	(15)
Choosing the Right Book to Write	138	(1)
Writing Professional Books	139	(1)
Writing Books for University Presses	139	(1)
Developing a Prospectus	140	(8)
Content Outline	141	(4)
Sample Chapters	145	(1)
Book Description	145	(1)
Market Description	146	(1)
Description of the Competition	146	(1)
Author Description	147	(1)
Selecting a Publisher	148	(2)
Send Query Letters	150	(1)
Negotiating the Contract	150	(2)
Recapping the Major Points	152	(1)
References	152	(1)
11 Planning for Success	153	(12)
Managing Each Manuscript	155	(3)
Step 1: Identify Topic Areas	155	(2)
Step 2: Identify Two Sets of Journals--Specialized and General	157	(1)
Step 3: Assign Priorities to the Journals You Listed	157	(1)
Profile: Bonnidell Clouse	158	(1)
Step 4: Refine Your Journal List	159	(1)
Develop a Tracking System	159	(2)
Getting Mileage	161	(2)
Maintain a Current Resume	161	(2)
Write Book Chapters	163	(1)
Apply to Daily Work	163	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	163	(1)
Reference	164	(1)
12 Grant Proposal Writing	165	(20)
Make Your Proposal Timely	167	(1)
Learn How to Develop Fresh Ideas	167	(1)
Identify and Use Your Assets	167	(1)
Gather the Necessary Materials	168	(1)
Match Your Strengths with the Funders' Goals	169	(4)
Deadlines	170	(1)
A Format for Proposals	171	(2)
Profile: Donald C. Orlich	173	(1)
Foundation Proposals	174	(9)
Guideline 1: Match Your Expertise with the Needs of Various Audiences	175	(1)
Guideline 2: Add a Unique Angle	176	(1)
Guideline 3: Make a Convincing Commitment	177	(1)
Guideline 4: Be Flexible	178	(1)
Guideline 5: Use Every Opportunity to Gather Information about Available Money	179	(1)
Guideline 6: Make Your Request Economically Responsible	180	(1)
Guideline 7: Make the Proposal Easy to Read	180	(1)
Guideline 8: Follow the RFP Guidelines Precisely	181	(1)
Guideline 9: Develop a Project Evaluation Process	182	(1)
Guideline 10: Test the Budget against the Narrative	182	(1)
Recapping the Major Points	183	(2)
13 Using the Computer	185	(8)
Introduction	185	(4)
What Type of Computer Do I Need?	185	(1)
Should I Write My First Draft by Hand or Type It on the Computer?	186	(1)
If I Write My First Draft in Longhand, What Advantages Are Derived from Typing This on a Computer?	186	(1)
How Do You Use the Computer to Edit Your Work?	186	(1)
Is the Spell Checker Helpful, and What Advice Can You Offer for Its Use?	187	(1)
How Can/Should Authors Use Databases?	188	(1)
How Can I Use the Web to Enhance My Writing?	188	(1)
Profile: Rosemary Skeele	189	(2)
Recapping the Major Points	191	(1)
Final Note	191	(2)
Appendixes	193	(121)
A Preferences of Journals in Various Disciplines	193	(25)
B When Signing Book Contracts, Scholars Should Be Sure to Read the Fine Print	218	(4)
C All the Right Reasons: Writing for Publication	222	(5)
D Paragraphing Exercise Solution	227	(2)
E Sample Publication Guidelines	229	(5)
F Sample Call for Manuscripts	234	(3)
G Sample Announcement of Coming Themes and Requests for Manuscripts	237	(3)
H Sample of Article Written Using Systematic Research Method	240	(5)
I Sample of Survey Questionnaire	245	(12)
J Articles Based on Questionnaire: The Status of the American Middle School Teacher	257	(2)
K Attending Writing Workshops	259	(2)
L University Presses	261	(4)
M Sample Proposal for Funding	265	(10)
N Sample Proposal Rating Form	275	(3)
O Profile of an Article	278	(8)
P Teachers as Researchers	286	(28)
Glossary	314	(5)
Name Index	319	(4)
Subject Index	323