Guest post by Sigrid Kelsey, General Editor, Catholic Library World
Calls for submissions are an excellent way to find appropriate and sought-after topics to write on. Professional blogs, email lists, social media sites, and websites often post calls for papers and submissions with suggested topics. Querying an editor is another way to learn what a journal editor is seeking. Some editors are in search authors to write on various topics that their readers have requested. When choosing a topic, an author also should be qualified to write on it.
Peer reviews
Peer reviews are meant to be constructive, and responding to suggestions by peers before publication leads to better quality articles and advances scholarship in the field.
Sigrid Kelsey is Director of Communications and Publications at LSU Libraries. Kelsey has written numerous published articles and book chapters, co-edited five books, and has been the editor of a Catholic Library World, the official journal of the Catholic Library Association, since 2010. Under her leadership, the CLW received 3rd place in the 2013 Catholic Press Awards for General Excellence. At LSU, she oversees the ejournal hosting function and strategic communications for the Libraries. She has received several awards for her job performance and research, including the 2009 Association of College and Research Libraries Louisiana Chapter’s Scholar Librarian of the Year Award, the national Innovation in College Librarianship Award, awarded by the College Libraries Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries division of the American Library Association, and the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty under 40 award. She also serves on the Praeger ABC-CLIO Library Advisory Board.
Choosing a topic
Choosing a compelling and original topic can be one of the
most challenging and most important aspects of writing an article that will be
accepted into a journal. Articles should contribute something new to professional
literature and inspire readers in their professional work and research. Authors
should search the literature before embarking on a writing topic to make sure their
topics are covering something new.Calls for submissions are an excellent way to find appropriate and sought-after topics to write on. Professional blogs, email lists, social media sites, and websites often post calls for papers and submissions with suggested topics. Querying an editor is another way to learn what a journal editor is seeking. Some editors are in search authors to write on various topics that their readers have requested. When choosing a topic, an author also should be qualified to write on it.
Journal guidelines
Authors should consult journal websites for instructions to
authors. These provide guidelines for topics, appropriate length and style, directions
on submissions, and information about how the submission process works.
Writing style
After writing an article, authors should reread their
articles keeping in mind grammar, style and readability. Here are some tips to
avoid common stylistic mistakes:
·
Each
paragraph should contain a topic sentence, with each sentence relating to it.
·
Second
person should be avoided at all times, and over-use of first person should be
avoided.
·
Sentence
structure should be varied for interest.
·
Sentences
should avoid ambiguity, with pronouns clearly referring to specific nouns.
·
Articles
submitted to peer reviewed journals should be written in a formal business
style, avoiding the casual style often seen on blogs.
·
Proper
citation styles should be adhered to, and plagiarism should be avoided.
·
Opinions
should be backed up by research.
Peer reviews
Peer reviews are meant to be constructive, and responding to suggestions by peers before publication leads to better quality articles and advances scholarship in the field.
Book reviews
Book reviews are an excellent way to start writing. Catholic Library World publishes 100
book reviews per issue and has more than 200 reviewers dedicated to reviewing
books on many topics. Book reviews serve an important function in the library
science profession, and they are an excellent way to become familiar with both
the literature one reviews, and with the writing and submission process.
Authors should feel free to email me at
sigridkelsey@gmail.com about writing for Catholic
Library World, or visit www.cathla.org.
AboutSigrid Kelsey is Director of Communications and Publications at LSU Libraries. Kelsey has written numerous published articles and book chapters, co-edited five books, and has been the editor of a Catholic Library World, the official journal of the Catholic Library Association, since 2010. Under her leadership, the CLW received 3rd place in the 2013 Catholic Press Awards for General Excellence. At LSU, she oversees the ejournal hosting function and strategic communications for the Libraries. She has received several awards for her job performance and research, including the 2009 Association of College and Research Libraries Louisiana Chapter’s Scholar Librarian of the Year Award, the national Innovation in College Librarianship Award, awarded by the College Libraries Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries division of the American Library Association, and the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty under 40 award. She also serves on the Praeger ABC-CLIO Library Advisory Board.
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