Hi Folks,

Thanks to all who attended today's webinar, Getting Started in Research & Publishing hosted by the ACRL Arts Section Publications & Research Committee. Extra special thanks to our panel who shared their expertise as editors and have graciously offered to field any additional questions about publishing opportunities:

• ARLIS/NA Reviews Co-editors:

• Megan Macken ([log in to unmask])

• Terrie Wilson ([log in to unmask])

• Art Libraries Journal Associate Editor:

• Lindsey Reno ([log in to unmask])

• College & Research Libraries Editor:

• Kristen Totleben ([log in to unmask])

• Codex: journal of the Louisiana chapter of ACRL Editor:

• Dr. Megan Lowe ([log in to unmask])

The session was not recorded, but here are a few takeaways based on the panelists discussion:

• How did you go about publishing your first scholarly work?

• Responding to calls for papers (CFP), something that fits with their research interests. Good to have built in deadlines rather than just writing on the fly

• Book chapter - Helped them understand how easy it is to lose control of your work. The publisher would not give a free official copy of the completed work, requiring authors to purchase one.

• Co-edited a book with a colleague, wrote a chapter within it. 

• First peer-reviewed article: a collaboration with a professor. Writing usually about something they’ve been working on.

• Invited by Art Documentation to turn a survey result into an article. Later asked to edit a monograph.

• Turned a seminar paper from an MLIS course into an article. Helps to be around other colleagues who are publishing and work collaboratively. Helps to have support from your home institution.

• Where is the best place to look for opportunities and where do you post your calls for content?

• Discussion lists/list-servs. Look at websites of journals for your speciality area. Look for opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, make sure they know your interests to connect you with relevant opportunities.

• Library writing blog: http://librarywriting.blogspot.com/. Invites people to submit articles after seeing conference presentations. 

• Calls for reviews via ARLIS-L, often forwarded to others - networking is important. 

• Talking to people at conferences/at the regional chapter level.

• If you’re not sure if a topic is a good fit for the scope of a journal, write to the editor for feedback. Being a reviewer is also a good thing to do - helps someone else with their writing, helps you be a better writer.

• Favorite place to find CFPs is hnet.org https://networks.h-net.org/

• What are some options for writing opportunities beyond the traditional scholarly route--Do you have any advice on getting started?

• Editorials (opinion pieces) for journals. CNRL News. 

• Book reviews - look at other people’s reviews for structure, format. Note: when you write a book review you get a free copy to keep.

• Some journals have a section for feature articles that aren’t scholarly.

• Annotated bibliographies on a topic, less structured than a literature review.

• Good reference tool for book reviews: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/. 

• Exhibition reviews/notable graphic novel reviews for ARLIS.

• Open Educational Resources (OER) - low barrier to entry. Creating one or modifying an existing resource. Good opportunity for collaboration, may lead to grants or other opportunities. There is a big need for OER in art. 

• C&RL March issue's Editorial is a video panel of book reviewers and they talk about their experiences: https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/25806

• What are some emerging topics of research that you’ve noticed? 

• AI e.g. ChatGBT. AI as a tool and a source. Worth having conversations around bias in content, info-literacy, critical thinking. Communicating about it without alarmism. Also the issue of digital inclusion, basic intro to technology - digital native does not necessarily mean digitally literate, especially with adult learners, helping users have the confidence and skill to navigate resources.

• Research is more data-driven than it has been in the past. Intellectual freedom and censorship.

• Accessibility (e.g. on libguides/websites), DEI, Open Access, OER

• Labor and work/life balance, compensation.

• Being a reviewer is a good way to learn about current topics of discussions.

• As an editor, what are your biggest pet peeves or things that you think potential contributors should avoid? 

• Don’t ghost an editor by starting a discussion about a potential publication and then ceasing to respond. Also peer-reviewers starting and not completing projects. If you can’t complete a project, communicate that. 

• Please read the instructions for submissions carefully (e.g. if you need to anonymize your paper). That will expedite the process, demonstrate your professionalism, and save you time.

• Don’t assume a topic has been done to death. You never know what others are interested in + you can discuss options with your editor.

• Use the required citation style (e.g. APA 7th edition MEANS APA 7th edition)

• Reminder nudges/questions to your editor are welcome during the publication process.

• Can’t make a deadline? You may be able to delay until a later publication. 

• If you’re reviewing a publication you don’t like, you could potentially do a negative review - work with your editor.

• Don’t forget the point of why you’re writing, e.g. a book review is to help others decide if they should read/purchase the book, not rehash the content.

• Is there a good way to approach someone outside your institution for collaboration?

• Send a well-written, polite email that is clear about what you're looking for and see what happens. Talking with people after their conference presentations is another good opportunity

• What resources would you suggest for learning to plan out research? Making timelines, etc?

•  I find it tempting to get caught up in resources, so I like to keep it simple with Zotero