Ralph E. Matkin - Persist and publish: helpful hints for academic writing and publishing

Copyright 1991 by the University Press of Colorado
P.O. Box 849
Niwot, Colorado 80544

All rights reserved.

The University Press of Colorado is a cooperative publishing enterprise supported, in part, by Adams State College, Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College, Mesa State College, Metropolitan State College of Denver, University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado, University of Southern Colorado, and Western State College.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Matkin, Ralph E., 1946

Persist and publish: helpful hints for academic writing and publishing / Ralph E.

Matkin and T. F. Riggar.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-87081-227-0 (pbk.)

1. Scholarly publishing. 2. Learning and scholarship Authorship. 3. College

teachers as authors. I. Riggar, T. F. II. Title.

Z286.S37M38 1991

070.5 dc20

91-19028

CIP

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials. ANSI Z39.481984

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Persist and Publish contains many of the authors' publication experiences and reflections blended with valuable information from other authorities to offer sound methods to increase productivity and achievement in the publish-or-perish academic world. Although the principal focus of the book is for novice academics who wish to begin submitting their writing to local newsletters and journals, considerable information is provided for more experienced professors who desire to publish books and more comprehensive reference materials. Thus, Persist and Publish is designed to facilitate and enhance writing activities of new and tenured faculty throughout the entire competitive arena of publishing.

Seldom does a day pass when people in every walk of life do not write something, whether it is simply a reminder note or a lengthy technical report. For those working in academic environments as faculty or students, writing often is an essential part of their respective activities. Few academicians today will deny the importance of developing writing skills and a publication record. These are necessary at most institutions of higher education in order for tenure, promotion, and salary increases to be granted. Although the phrase "publish or perish" is not new, it is becoming more meaningful in a pragmatic sense for academicians whose careers may be advanced or terminated on the basis of publications alone.

The purpose of this book is to provide concise, comprehensive, and practical information focusing on demonstrated methods that enhance manuscript publication. To achieve this, this book discusses underlying reasons for publishing in academic settings (Chapters 1 and 2), identifies basic tools and settings needed to facilitate writing activities (Chapters 3 and 4), and provides easy-to-follow tips for publishing in newsletters (Chapter 5), journals (Chapter 6), monographs and technical reports (Chapter 7), and books (Chapter 8). The remaining chapters are devoted to selected activities that frequently accrue for published authors. Chapter 9, for example, covers creative writing outlets, while Chapter 10 discusses many benefits authors reap