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2 You’re invited to become published in NCDA’s Web Magazine! What is Career Convergence? “A practical, online resource for all categories of people working in the career field” Audience: career practitioners and professionals Go to: Contact: Melanie Reinersman, Editor

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5 How is Career Convergence different from other publications? Tone - friendly, informal Purpose – a practical tool that can immediately be used Format – bullets, subheadings Online features – links, archives

NCDA 2006 Conference 6 Benefits to Publishing Contribute to your field Develop your personal and professional skills Add to your credentials Obtain CEU’s Market your expertise Increase your network

NCDA 2006 Conference 7 Keys to Getting Published Read the publication Study the Submission Guidelines Reflect: what can you share? Communicate with an editor Follow-up

NCDA 2006 Conference 8 Step-by-Step Process 1.Read the current issue 2.Read the archives 3.Read the Submission Guidelines 4.Determine your topic 5.Submit a draft 6.Follow-up 7.What happens after submission? 8.You’re Published! 9.Publish again!

NCDA 2006 Conference 9 Step-by-Step: Read the current issue What do you like about it? What areas are attractive to you – do they match your skills, interests, and experiences?

NCDA 2006 Conference 10 Step-by-Step: Read the archives What topics have been covered (or not covered) in previous issues? What’s been suggested for future articles? Who are the authors?

NCDA 2006 Conference 11 Step-by-Step: Read the Submission Guidelines Review the Focus, Style, Length, and other criteria for selection Who is the contact person? Unique conditions: – All work must be original and never before published – Copyright transfer and reprint permission – Submit to only one editor – Compensation?

NCDA 2006 Conference 12 Step-by-Step: Determine your topic If you have one, the topic or outline or article draft to an editor If you don’t have one: – Brainstorm - by yourself or with a colleague – Brainstorm with an Career Convergence Editor

NCDA 2006 Conference 13 Brainstorming What topics interest you? What topics can you “piggy-back” on? What current professional activities can you share as a “best practice”? Can you write about a conference presentation? Can you write a book review?

NCDA 2006 Conference 14 Brainstorming What was your favorite job?book?course? What career advice would you share with a specific population (e.g., school children? college/grad students?) What would you like to learn more about? Who could you partner with to co-author an article?

NCDA 2006 Conference 15 Step-by-Step: Submit an Article Submit a draft to an editor via , using a Word document attachment or pasted in body of Include all your contact info An editor will work with you to help you meet submission guidelines Deadline: flexible; generally the 15 th of each month

NCDA 2006 Conference 16 Step-by-Step: Follow-up Editor may request revisions Send another if you don’t hear from editor within 3 weeks After acceptance, sign the copyright transfer form and return it (via snail mail)

NCDA 2006 Conference 17 Step-by-Step: What happens next? Depends on who you submitted the article to: Field Editor Associate Editor Career Convergence Editor

NCDA 2006 Conference 18 Step-by-Step: You’re Published! New articles appear on the first of each month Previous articles are archived and searchable Web magazine is ed to subscribers (approximately 10,000 a month) Reprint permission granted by Editor That was easy, so why not do it again!

NCDA 2006 Conference 19 Hints to Finding the Time and Talent to Get Published Writer, Know Thyself Scan the Environment You can overcome Writer’s Block Keep It Simple

NCDA 2006 Conference 20 Writer, Know Thyself Recognize your expertise – You may need to narrow your focus to gain expertise Explore your skills (you probably have the assessments to do this!) Brainstorm with a colleague about your talents Look at your experience with diversity or special populations

NCDA 2006 Conference 21 Scan the Environment What has already been written? What is missing? What is common information/knowledge in your work setting? – What’s common to you may be novel to other professionals What are colleagues bemoaning: what do they need?

NCDA 2006 Conference 22 Overcoming Writer’s Block Focus on practical topics – things you have used that have worked – If it’s been useful to you, it may be useful to others Keep it in perspective – 950 words is only about 2 pages! – Write about what you love – the words and time will fly!

NCDA 2006 Conference 23 KISS Keeping it simple will keep your readers interested You don’t need to have an English degree, or a Ph.D. No need for five syllable words Use bullets when possible

NCDA 2006 Conference 24 Remember… “Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a piece of blank paper until your forehead bleeds.” Douglas Adams