This document summarizes a presentation by Alexandra Janvey and Susanne Markgren on easing into writing and publishing for librarians. The presentation aimed to demystify the publishing process and emphasize the importance of writing. It discussed why librarians should write, challenges they may face, benefits of collaboration, brainstorming ideas, tips for getting started writing, revising processes, finding publishing opportunities, and good avenues for beginner writers. Contact information was provided for follow up questions.

1. EASING INTO WRITING AND
PUBLISHING FOR THE
PROFESSION
Alexandra Janvey
Susanne Markgren
http://liu.cwp.libguides.com/EasingintoWriting
Friday, October 18, 11am-12pm, EST

2. Introductions
Alexandra Janvey
Library Assistant at Long Island University
Twitter: @Alliebrwneyez
E-mail: Alexandra.Janvey@liu.edu
website: www.alliejanvey.com
Susanne Markgren
Digital Services Librarian at Purchase College Library,
SUNY
Twitter: @smarkgren
E-mail: susanne.markgren@purchase.edu
website: http://smarkgren.wordpress.com/

3. Goals & Agenda
Getting published can be an overwhelming and
stressful endeavor for new librarians and
seasoned librarians alike, and many only
attempt to do it because their jobs require it.
The aim of this session is to demystify the
publishing process and emphasize the
importance, and rewards, of writing.

4. Why Write?

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


Required for your job
Find a job or get promoted (looks good on CV)
Contribute to the profession
Develop (or practice)
communication skills
You love it!

5. Challenges of Writing for the
Profession

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Knowing what is expected of you in your job
Finding time
Lack of motivation
Don’t have anything to
say
Lack of confidence
(I can’t possibly do that)
Unfamiliar with the process

6. Collaboration: Benefits

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Share the workload
Share the successes (and failures)
Instant editor and sounding board
Combined expertise
Accountability
Motivation
It’s more fun!

7. Collaboration: Challenges


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Finding collaborators
Figuring out how best to communicate
Dividing up tasks
Coordinating timelines and
schedules
Who takes the lead?
Who gets to be first author?
What if it doesn’t work out?

8. Other Ways to Collaborate…
... or find collaborators


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Find a mentor
Join a writing group
Take a writing class

9. Brainstorming Ideas
Writing starts with inspiration, and inspiration starts
with an idea. Ideas can come from many places:
Discussion
Failure
Question
Solution
Decision
Success
Revelation
Problem
Process
Suggestion
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a
club.”
– Jack London

10. More Ideas, Write About…


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Something you read about
Something you want to learn
about
Something you disagree with
Something recent (before you
forget)
And…
 Rework and reuse material -- a poster or
presentation can become an article, an article
a book chapter, and on and on.

11. Write! Tips for Getting Started

12. Use Online
Tools

13. Find Your Own Process
Photo by similarlee

14. Get Stuck?
Photo by valike
@Stock.xchng

15. Revise, Edit and Proofread
Photo by Nick McPhee on Flickr

16. Getting Published

17. Finding Publishing
Opportunities

18. Good avenues for the beginner
writer

19. Questions?

20. Thanks for listening!
Slides and further resources:
http://liu.cwp.libguides.com/EasingintoWriting
Contact Information:
Alexandra Janvey
Susanne Markgren
@Alliebrwneyez
@smarkgren
Alexandra.Janvey@liu.edu
Susanne.Markgren@purchase.edu
www.alliejanvey.com
http://smarkgren.wordpress.com