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Info Career Trends - November 2000 Book Reviews
Schroeder, Carol F., and Gloria G. Roberson, eds. Guide to Publishing Opportunities for Librarians. New York: Haworth Press, 1995. ISBN 1-56024-348-1. $54.95.
Reviewed by Sarah Nesbeitt
Why should you bother consulting a directory of library-oriented serials that by now is five years old? While it's true that many of the addresses and costs listed in this title are out of date, there is still a great amount of useful data here -- and there's simply no other such guide that's as comprehensive. For over 200 journals in the field, the authors provide the title, affiliation, and scope; manuscript and subscription addresses; editorial, review, and copyright policies; frequency; and cost. This directory will take you beyond familiar territory such as American Libraries and Library Journal by introducing you to a number of new journals, many of which have high acceptance rates. A short section on electronic journals and newsletters is included, but, despite this book's title, no information on book publishers is given. Librarians serious about publishing should first double check editors' names and editorial addresses before sending in a query. A similar book listing journals appropriate for academic librarians, In Print: Publishing Opportunities for College Librarians, Lynn W. Livingston, ed. (Chicago: ALA, 1997), is now out of print.
Sarah L. Nesbeitt is currently Reference/Systems Librarian at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Visit her home page at: http://webhost.bridgew.edu/snesbeitt/index.htm
Larsen, Michael. How to Write a Book Proposal. Cincinnatti: Writers Digest Books, 1997. ISBN 0-89879-771-3. $14.99.
Literary agent Michael Larsen provides a thorough step-by-step introduction to the art of writing, formatting, and submitting book proposals. Although his tips are aimed largely at writing proposals for a general market, his instructions on how properly to create a proposal are relevant to librarians submitting proposals to library trade publishers as well. Includes several samples and outlines each part of a typical proposal. Probably the clearest introductory guide to the subject; highly recommended.