On April 27, 2023 the ACRL Arts Section Publications & Research Committee hosted a webinar, Getting Started in Research & Publishing. A panel of journal editors shared their expertise:

• ARLIS/NA Reviews Co-editors:
  • Megan Macken (megan.macken@okstate.edu)
  • Terrie Wilson (wilso398@msu.edu)
• Art Libraries Journal Associate Editor:
  • Lindsey Reno (lreno@uno.edu)
• College & Research Libraries Editor:
  • Kristen Totleben (ktotleben@library.rochester.edu)
• Codex: Journal of the Louisiana Chapter of ACRL Editor:
  • Dr. Megan Lowe (loweme@nsula.edu)

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, and 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