3. Bruce Rosenstein books:
Create Your Future the Peter Drucker
Way (published by McGraw-Hill,
November 2013)
Living in More Than One World: How
Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire
and Transform Your Life (published by
Berrett-Koehler, August 2009)
4. In your own journey to book publication,
there will be many choices that must be
considered, including:
Non-fiction or fiction
Library/information-related or other topics
Traditional publishers or self-published
Large or small publishers
Literary agents or finding a publisher
yourself
Writing solo or with co-authors
5. Writing books can take considerable time, effort and
resources (including money). Among other things,
you must consider:
Research (this may include travel costs, which can
add up quickly)
Potential additions/upgrades of technology
Publicity and promotion
Travel and other costs for doing in-person events
Book proposals
6. Writing books also takes
Perseverance
Patience
Willingness to accept feedback
Ability to deal with rejection
Networking ability
Enthusiasm
Interpersonal skills
7. In addition, if you work with an agent, a
percentage of your book sales will go to that
person as long as your books are in print (usually
10-15% of sales)
8. Consider your “platforms” to
help create and sustain
awareness for your books
Blogs
Websites
Social Media
Your related professional work
from your job and non-work
activities
Videos
9. Timeline for Living in More Than One World
September 2002: Decided to write a book
about Peter Drucker and the individual (as
opposed to Drucker and the organization)
October 2002: First visit to Claremont, Cal., to
research the book at the Drucker Archives
January 2003: Return to Claremont to
interview Drucker in person
April 2005: More in-person interviews with
Drucker in Claremont, including for a video
July 2007: Started working with my current
agent
July 2008: Contract with Berrett-Koehler
October 2008: First draft due
January 2009: Final draft due
August 2009: Publication
10. Timeline for Create Your Future the Peter
Drucker Way
August 2012: Proposals sent to publishers
September 2012: Contract with McGraw-
Hill
May 1, 2013: First draft due
Summer-early fall 2013: Editing/copy-
editing
November 22, 2013: Publication date
11. To learn more about my books..
Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way: Developing and
Applying a Forward-Focused Mindset:
http://brucerosenstein.com/create-your-future/
Living in More Than One World
How Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your
Life
http://brucerosenstein.com/living-in-more/#more-19
12. Thank you for participating in
this webinar!
To learn more, please visit
www.brucerosenstein.com
contact me:
bruce@brucerosenstein.com
14. Why write an article?
Do you want to …
• Acquire/enhance professional credentials?
• Satisfy a professional requirement?
• Help jump-start a new career (consultant,
speaker, etc.)?
These are legitimate reasons for wanting to write,
but they miss the point.
15. Hint: Writing isn’t about you
Publishing isn’t about the writer—it’s about the
readers (and the editor).
• Readers read for themselves, not for you.
• Do you have something to say that somebody
will want to read? Can you convince an editor
that you do?
16. Who are your readers?
You have something to say that you think will
interest librarians. Fine—but which librarians?
• Librarians in a certain market, such as law
librarians or medical librarians?
• Librarians just starting their careers? Those
who are more experienced?
The fewer the audiences, the better.
17. You can’t please everyone …
… and you shouldn’t try.
• 500 engaged readers are better than 5,000
indifferent ones.
• Think of your audience as a bell curve—where
are your readers on that curve?
• Avoid the “newbies and seasoned
professionals alike” temptation.
18. Which publication reaches your readers?
Your article won’t be read if your readers don’t
see it.
• If more than one publication serves your
audience, which is the best “fit” for your tone,
preferred length, format, etc.?
• A well-written article in a lesser-known
publication trumps a poorly written article in a
highly respected publication.
19. Pitching the editor
Editors are readers, too. Keep that in mind when
you make your pitch.
• What’s in it for the readers? What do they
need to know, and why do they need to know
it? How will they benefit from your article?
• Attach an outline that shows the topics to be
addressed and how the article will flow.
• Describe your qualifications for writing the
article, but keep them brief and focused.
20. Feedback is your friend
Pay careful attention to feedback from editors and
respond appropriately.
• Feedback on your proposal/outline is of critical
importance. Embracing it will minimize wasted
effort and misunderstandings down the line.
• Does the feedback take your article in a new
direction—possibly one in which you aren’t
prepared to go? If so, is a co-author an option?
21. Writing the 1st draft
• Consider sending a partial draft to the editor
or a colleague for feedback.
• Keep editor apprised of progress, especially if
you encounter difficulties or delays or article
starts going in a new direction.
• Will article need internal review and approval?
• Correct spelling and grammar are musts.
Always proofread before submitting.
22. Writing the 2nd draft
• Review all changes and comments before
making revisions. Comments and changes in
the body of the article may influence your
revisions to the opening paragraphs.
• Is the article still yours? Do the changes and
comments alter the article in such a way that
you no longer feel pride of authorship?
• Don’t lose yourself to try to gain readers.
23. Give credit where credit is due
Too often, authors put great care into writing
the article, but very little into crediting their
sources.
• Know the preferred citation format of the
publication for which you are writing (e.g.,
author-date).
• A URL is not a citation.
• When in doubt, use a style manual.
24. All the news that fits …
• Editors typically retain the right to make
changes as they see fit, even after the author
and editor sign off on an article. Don’t assume
the article will be published exactly as it
appeared when it was approved.
• If you feel strongly about retaining certain
information or specific language, be sure to
inform the editor.
25. Leadership & Management Division
Thank you for attending today’s webinar!
Your feedback is welcome – please respond to the
email survey
Join us on April 23 for John Lubans,
author of Leading from the Middle, for
Freedom at Work: New & Old Concepts
