Customer Reviews

First Have Something to Say: Writing for the Library Profession

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In this practical guide, experienced author and speaker Walt Crawford shows fellow librarians how to make both their writing and speaking inform and entertain their audiences. (summary by South Texas Library System)
I've heard it said that a library director should always have an "elevator speech" ready, so you don't miss that opportunity with a city commissioner trapped in an elevator with you for 2 minutes. This book expands on that for librarians needing to write or make presentations. After years of writing a library column and giving library talks to Rotary and other civic groups, I recommend that all librarians read a book like this.

Crawford begins right at the heart of the problem: how do you say something fresh in a field that seems overrun with far too many dull and repetitive journals, filled with papers that "fairly shout `I wrote this for tenure'"? How can you find something that you want to write about, and that other people will want to read? How do you develop your own particular niche and style? Crawford provides excellent advice on such topics as matching your topic to a venue (covering new media as well as more traditional outlets), how peer review works, reviewing publishing contracts, working with editors, dealing with writer's block, and other traps of the writing life. His analysis of the differences between library writing, mainstream writing, and non-library academic writing is useful and insightful. As both a writer and an editor, I find his advice sound and reasonable. For the established writer, this book is a reminder not to get stuck in a rut but constantly seek new challenges, and it's full of helpful material for any new writers you may be mentoring. The only thing I consider too dated to be useful is his advice on submitting paper copies to journals; I know of no editor these days who does not prefer to work with electronic submissions from the start. To supplement this book, I'd also recommend How To Write A Lot by Paul J. Silvia, which deals more with the self-discipline and organization side of writing.