How does one get started publishing?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by little fauss, Jun 16, 2006.

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  1. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    I want to be getting my family and my stuff ready to move by this time next year. What am I getting at? I want to be able to tell this forum about the faculty position that I've just secured at a small college by then. This is something I've wanted for a few years.

    But I think I need to find some way of making an academic contribution of some sort other than teaching classes to make this possible. I've found that in the faculty bios--even at small "teaching" colleges--they very often list a string of publications. I've gotten the notion that if I wish to be competitive, I really need to publish something, even something second-rate in a third-rate journal (not that I have no aspirations to better things, it's just that I assume I won't be able to produce much better with no more knowledge or academic experience than I have).

    So, how does one go about doing this? Anybody have experience as to the best way? Any good ideas? Anyone here published and could tell me about the experience? For your information, and for those who don't know, I have some academic interest in business, law and political science. I've taught classes at the small college level in all three disciplines. I'm particularly interested in publishing from a religious perspective.

    So, anbody want to take a stab at this? (at least those to whom I have not yet burned a bridge because of my occasional spasmodic outbursts here)

    Thanks,

    LF
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Find someone who's already publishing on topics that interest you and about which you are knowledgeable, and see if they would be willing to mentor you or even co-author with you.

    Also, from your reading, you must have a sense of how a published academic paper looks. Follow the format and send in a few.

    The hard part is finding out which journals are more impressive and which are less impressive. Those already in the field ought to know the unofficial pecking order.

    -=Steve=-
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

  4. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    Thanks, Steve. I'll start shaking the tree to see if a mentor apple falls. I've already had one prof at UMass suggest that we write something together, but then this prof didn't follow up or respond to an email that I wrote later referencing it. Made me wonder if it wasn't mentioned in the first flush of excitement at an online student who was actually interested in publishing, but that later, the prof thought better of the offer and decided to let it slide. I'll keep trying.

    LF
     
  5. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    Not that nasty of a cat fight, you remained civil. Gregg used his typical colorful language, but nobody really got below the belt. Wonder how that DesElms is doing these days? Last I heard he had some bad home accident and was laid up; I hope he's recuperated fully.

    Thanks for the links--helpful.
     
  6. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Fauss,

    Try doing a search using the word "publishing" on yahoo's group: onlineadjuncts

    They're a fine bunch of people, some teaching online and some at B&M, some both. Some also post here. There are a couple of threads with ideas on how to break into academic publishing.

    Good luck!
     
  7. ebbwvale

    ebbwvale Member

    I have had three articles published in peer reviewed journals. Two out there waiting rejection or acceptance. I have also presented at three conferences

    The first thing I would advise anybody to do is find something you not only know, but also care about. Passion is required, otherwise you will not follow through.

    The next thing is to find an unusual angle concerning the topic area. Nothing more boring than going over the same topic area again. Must be a different slant to an old idea or a new idea in itself. Not too many new ideas left in the world, but you may have one. I always think I do until I read a bit more. I usually find out that some scholar three thousand years wrote about it.

    Research it to death because the world is full of critics. Nothing more embarassing than not knowing something that makes your argument redundant.

    Next pick the journal. They all have notes for authors concerning style and scope. An article on the wrong topic, style or length is not going to make it. Know the journal. I picked journals from the CV of the lecturers a the university I was attending. They could not knock a journal that published their material. If you are not a student, then pick somebody credible in the field and see where he/she publishes articles. Do not think that you need to start with a low level journal. Shoot for the stars. What have you got to lose?

    The next bit is the cruel part. Writing the article. If you are a gifted writer then no problems. If not, find somebody to edit it for you. You often don't see glaring errors. I had to edit my own which was mistake. A friend who is good with English may suffice. They are not rewriting it, but providing some advice about style and layout etc. You may decide not to accept it, but it is worth the risk to the friendship. Expect rewrites. I put it away for a few days and then come back to it. It never looks as good as it first did.

    Expect to wait for months to have a response. I have waited nine months. I would expect about six months before getting an answer. If you get a rejection, read the reviewers comments. They often have good advice. After that, try again with a different journal.

    An alternative method. Identify a conference and prepare an article for presentation at the conference. The conferences usually have the criteria and theme outlined for submissions. Conferences often have a peer reviewed section where the article is subjected to peer review, and ,if it passes, it is published in a conference proceedings. This is considered the equivalent of a publication in a journal.

    Conferences are also good for networking with others in the field and making contacts for the future. You also get to test your communication skills. Distance learning students are often criticised for the lack of exposure to this sort of learning with their peers. Distance learners can excel by presenting, not to students., but to recognised professionals in the area. This more than answers the B & M advocates challenge.

    best of luck whatever you decide to do. Don't be discouraged if at first it does not happen. Don't always accept that your article is not on the mark either, you may be simply challenging somebody's pet theory.
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Great point!

    I thought your whole post was laden with good advice, but this point was particularly insightful!

    -=Steve=-
     
  9. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Ebbwvale,

    That is GREAT advice. Thank you so much!
     
  10. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    Thanks for all the advice, everybody!

    :)
     

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