BFTP: Where to start as a professional writer

A weekend Blue Skunk "feature" will be a revision of an old post. I'm calling this BFTP: Blast from the Past.  Original post December 16, 2009. I was asked again this week about getting started writing for professional publication and sort of vaguely remembered addressing this topic once before. (Most of my memories are on the vague side.)

On reflection, the original blog post focuses mostly on library and tech publications. But publishing outside our own echo chamber is increasingly critical. Any publication with an audience beyond the librarian and technologist is fair game and I did list a couple in the blog post. Every discipline has its own journal and journals are targeted at different levels of education. Oh, and I have heard there are even publications for people who aren't in education.

Regardless of the non-librarian/tech audience for whom you might write, keep in mind that WIIFM? (what's in it for me?) needs to be your lead. Tying one specialty area to another is a creative act that helps the reader (and the writer.)

 

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Twice in the past week or so, I've been asked how one can become a Professional Published Author and make millions of dollars in royalties and article sales.

I am afraid writing for professional publication is not the most lucrative endeavor.* On an hourly basis, being a Wal-Mart greeter probably pays better - and it's more respectable.

But if you as a librarian or technology integration specialist are determined to get something into print, if for no other reasons than to please your mother or to shock your former English teachers, here are some places to try...

1. Library Media Connection Magazine is a good place for articles of a pragmatic nature (how I done it good). They pay a small stipend.
2. School Library Journal publishes a wide variety of articles related to school libraries and library service to children and young adults. They tend to hire heavy-handed editors, but they pay a small stipend.
3. Teacher-Librarian is more international in scope and likes more theoretical and research-based articles. They pay a (very) small stipend..
4. Multimedia & Internet @ Schools (the old Multi-Media Schools) publishes an eclectic range of articles. They pay a small stipend.
5. Writing for AASL's Knowledge Quest or ISTE's Learning & Leading with Technology is gratis except for the jewels in your crown and name recognition.
6. Personally, I think Kappan and Educational Leadership are the Mt. Everests of professional publications - good ones to shoot for if you are looking for prestige.
7. More general education magazines like Teacher are tough to break into but, as I remember, pay the best.  For the good of the profession, write for any education-related but non library/tech publication and get the good word out!
8. You can scan through a bibliography of my publications at <http://www.doug-johnson.com/articles/>. If you have questions (and I can remember), happy to answer questions about any particular publisher.
9. Pick up a copy of The Writer's Market to scan for other education related publications.

Oh, I always write the article first and then send it to publishers rather than contact publishers to see what they want.  Aim for about 1500-2500 words. Most magazines have some sort of editorial guidelines if you look for them

We need fresh voices in the field and print is a good way to reach many who don't read much online. And I still think there is some degree of gravitas that accompanies publication in an edited, print publication.

I know. I'm senile.

* Lately I've been considering an erotic element to all my writings, ala Fifty Shades of Gray. So if you see a blog post "Hard Drive" or "Filed Above the Rod" shield your monitor from your students.