What kind of publication should I choose?

Now that you’ve had a chance to look at the variety of publications available on the LIS Publications Wiki, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities available to you. How do you pick which journal is going to receive your work? Here are some ideas to make sure your work goes to the best place possible.

  1. What is your purpose in writing? Are you trying to build up your resume for tenure? Add practical articles to the field? Present news items or announcements? Talk about libraries to the general public? Each of these would be best suited for a different type of journal.
  2. Determine what type of writing you are doing. Different styles of writing are best suited to different types of publications. A long article with a lot of citations will be more suited for a scholarly journal, while an article that focuses more on professional practices will be more appropriate for a professional journal. If you are seeking to reach the general public, a civilian publication would be the best idea.
  3. Find the right publication. Once you’ve determined the correct type of publication, it is time to decide on the individual publication to which you might submit your article. Is your topic specific enough to submit to a publication produced by a particular association? Should you submit based on geographic location? You need to decide where your writing will be seen by the right people.
  4. Make a list. While it would be wonderful to have your article accepted in the first journal you submit it to, it is best to be prepared to submit to a variety of publications. Find a few places where your article will have the best potential.

Don’t let the maze of publications derail you before you even start. With a little planning, you can be successful in getting your articles submitted anywhere.

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