Submissions:2018/Becoming a Reliable Source: Writing for Publication

This submission has been noted and is pending review for WikiConference North America 2018.

Title

Becoming a Reliable Source: Writing for Publication

Theme (optional)

Relationship Building & Support

Academic Peer Review option

No

Type of submission

Presentation

Author

Brenda Wahler

E-mail address

wahlerwikicongmail.com

Wikimedia username

Montanabw

Affiliation(s) (optional)

WALRUS, Art+Feminism, Women in Red, QAI

Abstract

Writers of quality Wikipedia content already have the skills that mainstream publishers want: We are tech savvy, understand sourcing, plagiarism, copyright, and most of all, are proven able to collaborate with others, accept feedback, and, unlike most new authors, know all about having our work scrutinized and edited. Wikipedians already know how to write in a clear and concise manner, we understand "active voice," neutrality, notability, and the importance of citing sources. We've learned about taking care with biographies of living persons, and we know how to evaluate source material for bias and accuracy.

Nonfiction works for magazines and small publishers are an excellent starting point for Wikipedians who want to share their knowledge, particularly on subjects that in niche specialties or about people who are not well-known but should be. In the process of working with mainstream presses, we also enhance the respect for Wikipedians by showing that we can be published by third-party entities with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. Learn about building your skills, starting small, finding reliable, legitimate publishers, building credibility as an author, drafting and submitting a query or book proposal, reviewing that pesky contract, and finally, writing "under the gun" — you CAN do original research, but there IS a deadline!

The presenter, a Wikipedian of 12 years' experience and a major contributor to 22 featured articles, combined Wikipedia accomplishments with small scale magazine writing to land a book contract with a small publisher. This presentation will include ideas for brainstorming a topic area where you can shine, finding your strengths, and developing enthusiasm for the sometimes daunting process of writing as a solo author. Discuss how one shifts gears from Wikipedia to "original research" — conducting interviews, obtaining permission for copyrighted works, complying with publisher demands, researching and evaluating primary sources, organizing your material and staying on —look! a squirrel!— task.

Length of presentation

30 minutes

Special requests

Projector for PowerPoint

Preferred room size

25-30

Have you presented on this topic previously? If yes, where/when?

No, presented on a different topic as WCNA 2016

If you will be incorporating a slidedeck during your presentation, do you agree to upload it to Commons before your session, with a CC-BY-SA 4.0 license, including suitable attribution in the slidedeck for any images used?

Yes

Will you attend WikiConference North America if your submission is not accepted?

Unsure

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