My personal approach to inquiry before starting this project is probably close to the same as it was during this project. First, I found a topic I wanted to learn more about, and then I looked in the IUCAT for sources. I did use Google a little but since starting graduate school, I've found myself relying less on Google and trying more to find sources that are considered more reliable--books and journal articles. As an undergraduate, I would use Google a lot to find information or to help find information. That information usually came fast, and there was usually more than I could even dream of sifting through in the amount of time I had to complete any given assignment.
However, during this process, finding information in journals was a lot more difficult than in prior semesters. I did find an article that was listed in IUCAT as an electronic source. I did refer to the standards which I've only used the language arts standards for 9th graders once, while I was an undergraduate working on a lesson plan for an English class, which was a final project for the class. I think I'm starting to use the library resources more than I used to--asking for help is not a bad thing to do. :)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Curriculum Connection
I think this project could be translated into a curricular experience for either younger children or high school students by asking them to search for information on publishing for each age group--elementary school students and high school students. While the students are researching information on publication, students can work on story ideas that they might like to publish. After the students have finished their research, they can then build on what they've learned about publishing; applying that knowledge by submitting work that they've written for publication. The elementary students could work in small groups or as a whole class, and then submit the finished product to the Scholastic contest, "Kids Are Authors." High school students could work on individual pieces and submit it to other publishing companies who publish student work, or maybe even one of the publishing houses.
According to standard 2.1.2, students would "organize knowledge so that it is useful" and standard 2.1.3, "use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real world situations, and further investigations."
According to standard 2.1.2, students would "organize knowledge so that it is useful" and standard 2.1.3, "use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real world situations, and further investigations."
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Wishing
I'm not really sure how I feel about the final project. I found a lot of information in the books that I found, but it took me some time to find them. Also, I don't like the fact that I feel like I didn't find enough of a variety of sources--I was hoping to find a few journal articles and maybe some videos or other media sources, but I just didn't have enough time to invest in the search. I really like the design of my PowerPoint presentation. I used a photo I took with my camera phone as the background for the slides. Also, I tiled the background, making it look like there were rows of books. I also adjusted the transparency so the image was lighter. Sort of like how a watermark works on a word document. As far as the content goes, I tried to pick out as much of the most relevant information as I could. I'm sure there was more information I could've included, but as it was, the presentation was already 15 slides long. I didn't want it to be too bogged down. I think I found a lot of useful material that I can put to use in the future and possibly others will too.
As far as what could be done differently with similar investigations, I'm not sure. I think that possibly investigating Children's publication could be a seperate inquiry. Also, one might choose to investigate a single publisher. Possibly interview a publisher, an editor, and an author to see what the experience is like from start to finish. Thinking back on it now, I see that would definately be an interesting inquiry to follow.
I think there are ways in which students and young adults might approach inquiries in the same way that I have and also in different ways. Many students and young adults might choose to use google first. I use the University Library's catalog first. But I also used google to find web addresses for the publishing compies that came to mind. I also was not afraid to ask for help, though students and young adults might be reluctant to do. Although, sometimes, they want to ask for help right away to possibly try to avoid working hard and figuring things out on their own.
As far as what could be done differently with similar investigations, I'm not sure. I think that possibly investigating Children's publication could be a seperate inquiry. Also, one might choose to investigate a single publisher. Possibly interview a publisher, an editor, and an author to see what the experience is like from start to finish. Thinking back on it now, I see that would definately be an interesting inquiry to follow.
I think there are ways in which students and young adults might approach inquiries in the same way that I have and also in different ways. Many students and young adults might choose to use google first. I use the University Library's catalog first. But I also used google to find web addresses for the publishing compies that came to mind. I also was not afraid to ask for help, though students and young adults might be reluctant to do. Although, sometimes, they want to ask for help right away to possibly try to avoid working hard and figuring things out on their own.
Waving/File Sharing
Because of issues with the link for my files I uploaded to oncourse file manager, I posted a new forum message in oncourse and attached my powerpoint file and the images I used. I did this as a precaution.
Waving
I uploaded my files to file manager on oncourse. I created a folder called, SLIS S574 Project 1 and put all the files into that folder. Here is the URL, I hope it works :)
Project 1 files
Also, the link to the google docs is
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0ByXqDahRkT9wY2UyZTE2YTUtMzgyNC00MTMzLWIyMDQtMjlhNDhkNWUzNDY4&sort=name&layout=list&num=50
My webpage URL is
http://mypage.iu.edu/~leaturne/creativewriting/
Project 1 files
Also, the link to the google docs is
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0ByXqDahRkT9wY2UyZTE2YTUtMzgyNC00MTMzLWIyMDQtMjlhNDhkNWUzNDY4&sort=name&layout=list&num=50
My webpage URL is
http://mypage.iu.edu/~leaturne/creativewriting/
Waving
I am considering the possibility of editing the webpage I created so that the information I found on Publishing is added to my Creative Writing webpage that is posted on IUPUI's network. Any student--or anyone interested in publishing might discover my findings useful in preparing to publish their own work.
Wrapping
Since my goal was to find information on publication, the information I found is to help writers during the publication process. Most of the information I found was for adult writers, but there were a few resources for student writers.
I put together a power point presentation to put together the main ideas of what I found and sorted it by the individual resources. I think anyone who is interested in writing and publishing needs to know about the information I found.
The technology I used for this project is:
I put together a power point presentation to put together the main ideas of what I found and sorted it by the individual resources. I think anyone who is interested in writing and publishing needs to know about the information I found.
The technology I used for this project is:
- a web-based tool (Google docs)
- social bookmark (Delicious)
- electronic communications tool (ask a librarian, e-mail, forum)
- productivity tool (cell phone camera, PowerPoint, web page creator)
The web editor I used to create my webpage is Arachnophilia. I created the webpage last semester in my Reference class. The topic I covered in the webpage is Creative Writing, which ties into book publishing because you have to write a book before you can publish it. :)
Wiggling/Weaving
As I was sifting through the materials I found in the library using IUCAT and going through our textbook material, I came across a point that I thought was really interesting in Curriculum Connections Through the Library by Barbara K. Stripling,"But inquiry is much more than simply following a process. It is an essance of teaching and learning that places students at the heart of learning by empowering them to follow their sense of wonder into new discoveries and insights about the way the world works" (2003).
This project has really been a process of discovery. Even though I found a little information on creative writing and a couple of sites before I started this project, it still has been a journey--a seemingly incomplete journey since I didn't find the diversity of sources I'd hoped to find, to get to this point in the project.
I found a document on Purdue University's website for evaluating book sources; it is similar to the way in which we evaluate web resources. One must look at the author's authority, reliability, and credibility. Also one should look at the perspective of the author--does the author express a particular point of view? Does the source appear to be biased? Is it directed toward a particular audience? Also, one must look at the purpose of the piece. Is the piece meant to inform, persuade, or explain?
Similarly, this is how a creative writing workshop is run and how students evaluate and respond to their classmates work.
Because I had several book sources to sort though, I could only skim through them briefly. I pulled out some key points and put them into a powerpoint slide. I will be discussing publication possibilities with my family since I plan to try to publish a story or two that I've been working on. My main question was what steps were needed in order to publish. These sources were helpful in pointing that out. I learned that going through a big name publishing company may not always be the best way to go, particularly for first time authors.
This project has really been a process of discovery. Even though I found a little information on creative writing and a couple of sites before I started this project, it still has been a journey--a seemingly incomplete journey since I didn't find the diversity of sources I'd hoped to find, to get to this point in the project.
I found a document on Purdue University's website for evaluating book sources; it is similar to the way in which we evaluate web resources. One must look at the author's authority, reliability, and credibility. Also one should look at the perspective of the author--does the author express a particular point of view? Does the source appear to be biased? Is it directed toward a particular audience? Also, one must look at the purpose of the piece. Is the piece meant to inform, persuade, or explain?
Similarly, this is how a creative writing workshop is run and how students evaluate and respond to their classmates work.
Because I had several book sources to sort though, I could only skim through them briefly. I pulled out some key points and put them into a powerpoint slide. I will be discussing publication possibilities with my family since I plan to try to publish a story or two that I've been working on. My main question was what steps were needed in order to publish. These sources were helpful in pointing that out. I learned that going through a big name publishing company may not always be the best way to go, particularly for first time authors.
Wiggling/Weaving
I am working on sorting through all of the book material that I found using an evaluation tool I found on Purdue University's website and bookmarked on the delicious website.
http://www.lib.purdue/rguides/studentinstruction/evaluation/bookevaluationcart.html
What was really interesting in one of the books titled, Publishing With Students: a Comprehensive Guide by Chris Weber was that when "publishing" students' work, you don't necessarily have to go through a publishing company. Teachers can scan pictures, edit the story for grammar, and make the books themselves. Also, there are different styles for publishing the books other than the standard style--there is the accordion book, the fan book, and the flag book. And kids love to see their work in book form.
Also, there are websites for publishing kids work. As I mentioned before, Scholastic has a contest for students to submit their work for publishing called, "Kids Are Authors." The resource library for the School of Education at IUPUI has several of these books, which I am including a few pictures of in the PowerPoint Presentation I am in the process of putting together.
This project has taken me a lot more time that I would have thought it would and I am still trying to piece all of the information I have gathered into something that is going to make sense to others.
http://www.lib.purdue/rguides/studentinstruction/evaluation/bookevaluationcart.html
What was really interesting in one of the books titled, Publishing With Students: a Comprehensive Guide by Chris Weber was that when "publishing" students' work, you don't necessarily have to go through a publishing company. Teachers can scan pictures, edit the story for grammar, and make the books themselves. Also, there are different styles for publishing the books other than the standard style--there is the accordion book, the fan book, and the flag book. And kids love to see their work in book form.
Also, there are websites for publishing kids work. As I mentioned before, Scholastic has a contest for students to submit their work for publishing called, "Kids Are Authors." The resource library for the School of Education at IUPUI has several of these books, which I am including a few pictures of in the PowerPoint Presentation I am in the process of putting together.
This project has taken me a lot more time that I would have thought it would and I am still trying to piece all of the information I have gathered into something that is going to make sense to others.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Webbing/Wiggling
Just a few thoughts...
I have collected a some websites using the bookmarking site, Delicious. Many are different self-publishing sites, 3 or so publishing sites for publishing student work, and 2-3 content evaluation sites.
I also uploaded a document named Creative Writing Subject Guide to Google docs. It is the pathfinder I created last semester for my references class. I haven't "shared" it with anyone since I need to enter e-mail addresses. Instead, I clicked get the link and made it open to everyone so I think if you go to the google docs webpage, anyone should be able to open it. I think.
I'm working on a PowerPoint presentation as part of my finished product for this project. I want to take some pictures of some books I checked out from the Curriculum Resource Center--books that were written by kids. I was thinking that would be nice to accompany the youth portion of the PowerPoint on publishing.
Also, I'm slowly making my way through the books I check-out on publishing. Hopefully I will have it all done by tomorrow afternoon and I can be putting the final touches of my project no later than Sunday afternoon. But I might be pushing the deadline just a bit.
Also, I did create a webpage and uploaded it to the school's server as part of a requirement for SLIS S401. Since the webpage is about creative writing, I thought it might be something nice to include; one thing on the page is a partial draft of a story I've been working on, but have yet to finish.
I have collected a some websites using the bookmarking site, Delicious. Many are different self-publishing sites, 3 or so publishing sites for publishing student work, and 2-3 content evaluation sites.
I also uploaded a document named Creative Writing Subject Guide to Google docs. It is the pathfinder I created last semester for my references class. I haven't "shared" it with anyone since I need to enter e-mail addresses. Instead, I clicked get the link and made it open to everyone so I think if you go to the google docs webpage, anyone should be able to open it. I think.
I'm working on a PowerPoint presentation as part of my finished product for this project. I want to take some pictures of some books I checked out from the Curriculum Resource Center--books that were written by kids. I was thinking that would be nice to accompany the youth portion of the PowerPoint on publishing.
Also, I'm slowly making my way through the books I check-out on publishing. Hopefully I will have it all done by tomorrow afternoon and I can be putting the final touches of my project no later than Sunday afternoon. But I might be pushing the deadline just a bit.
Also, I did create a webpage and uploaded it to the school's server as part of a requirement for SLIS S401. Since the webpage is about creative writing, I thought it might be something nice to include; one thing on the page is a partial draft of a story I've been working on, but have yet to finish.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Webbing
A few things...
First of all, thank you to Dawn Musolino for posting the information on publishing works by children in the oncourse forum. I appreciate the feedback. Those websites are:
http://www.studentreasures.com
http://askaboutmybook.com
Secondly, I was able to find some more resources, which at first glance, look very interesting and even helpful in getting work published, especially for first time authors. Here is the list of books I found:
Balkin, R. (1994). A Writer's Guide to Book Publishing. New York: Plume.
Blanco, J. (2000). The Complete Guide to Book Publicity. New York: Allworth Press.
Clark, G. (2001). Inside Book Publishing (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
Mettee, S. B. (Ed.). (1997). The Portable Writers' Conference: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Published. Fresno: Quill Driver Books.
Weber, C. (2002). Publishing With Students: a Comprehensive Guide. Portsmouth: Heinemann.
First of all, thank you to Dawn Musolino for posting the information on publishing works by children in the oncourse forum. I appreciate the feedback. Those websites are:
http://www.studentreasures.com
http://askaboutmybook.com
Secondly, I was able to find some more resources, which at first glance, look very interesting and even helpful in getting work published, especially for first time authors. Here is the list of books I found:
Balkin, R. (1994). A Writer's Guide to Book Publishing. New York: Plume.
Blanco, J. (2000). The Complete Guide to Book Publicity. New York: Allworth Press.
Clark, G. (2001). Inside Book Publishing (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
Mettee, S. B. (Ed.). (1997). The Portable Writers' Conference: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Published. Fresno: Quill Driver Books.
Weber, C. (2002). Publishing With Students: a Comprehensive Guide. Portsmouth: Heinemann.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wiggling
I'm not sure if this works (let me know either way) but here is the link to an article I found about book publishing, specifically Random House publishing company.
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=iulib_iupui&tabID=T003&searchId=R2&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm¤tPosition=40&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3427200226&&docId=GALECX3427200226&docType=GALE&role=
I found this article through the database, Gale Virtual Reference Library. I think it contains some great information, just not exactly what I was looking for. I've been trying to find information on the means of publishing--sort of information on the "how to" but I haven't found much.
I also found an article about the history of publishing, but again, that wasn't what I was looking for either. I have yet to check out the books suggested to me by the librarian as I haven't had a chance to get up to the stacks and look. Hopefully I can spend my Friday afternoon browsing and then get started on analyzing some of them that hopefully are what I need.
I feel like I haven't been able to do this project justice because I haven't been able to spend as much time as I would like and also because I haven't been able to find the information I am looking for.
If you have any thoughts on the matter, I would love to hear them!!!
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=iulib_iupui&tabID=T003&searchId=R2&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm¤tPosition=40&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3427200226&&docId=GALECX3427200226&docType=GALE&role=
I found this article through the database, Gale Virtual Reference Library. I think it contains some great information, just not exactly what I was looking for. I've been trying to find information on the means of publishing--sort of information on the "how to" but I haven't found much.
I also found an article about the history of publishing, but again, that wasn't what I was looking for either. I have yet to check out the books suggested to me by the librarian as I haven't had a chance to get up to the stacks and look. Hopefully I can spend my Friday afternoon browsing and then get started on analyzing some of them that hopefully are what I need.
I feel like I haven't been able to do this project justice because I haven't been able to spend as much time as I would like and also because I haven't been able to find the information I am looking for.
If you have any thoughts on the matter, I would love to hear them!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Webbing
I contacted someone in the IUPUI Unversity Library this evening to find out if the main library houses any resources on publishing. I used the Ask a librarian chat function as my medium. In response to my inquiry, "Rosie" told me that resources can be found on the 4th floor in the stacks, Z551 - 656. I asked about other types of sources but I had to leave an offline message.
I've been contacted by a couple of publsing companies I've looked into but they are basically self-publishing companies who provide assitance to publish a manuscript without the use of an agent. The fees vary depending on services requested and number of copies requested.
Right now Im feeling a bit frustrated and overwhelmed by this project. I feel like I'm not finding enough information to meet the requirements for this assignment and there isn't enough time to keep digging, especially since I have to budget my time between other assignments for this class, another class, and I also have work.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions they care to share?
I've been contacted by a couple of publsing companies I've looked into but they are basically self-publishing companies who provide assitance to publish a manuscript without the use of an agent. The fees vary depending on services requested and number of copies requested.
Right now Im feeling a bit frustrated and overwhelmed by this project. I feel like I'm not finding enough information to meet the requirements for this assignment and there isn't enough time to keep digging, especially since I have to budget my time between other assignments for this class, another class, and I also have work.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions they care to share?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Webbing
When I searched, "kids are authors," one particular website popped out at me--Scholastic.com. Scholastic Book Fairs hosts an annual competition for Grades K-8 designed for kids encouraging them to use their creative skills to create their own book. The link to this website is http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/contest/kaa_about.asp
A couple of other promising sites are:
http://www.kidsread.com
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/authors/
As far as publishing books for young adults, I'm still kind of wondering where to go with it. I've been searching but so far I haven't found a whole lot besides what I've already mentioned. I did find, using IUPUI's catalog, a book titled, Publishers Directory but it isn't available on this campus--I have to request it from another IU library but when I tried to put in the request for the more recent editions, I kept getting a message that the item does not qualify for hold. I was able, however, to successfully request the 5th edition (1984). Within IUPUI's reference section, there is a book titled, Literary Market Place. It gives information for different publishing companies, including e-mail addresses, but if a person is unsure which company is the best one to meet their needs, I'm not sure how useful this book is since it's like the yellow pages--lists names of the companies with contact information and a little bit about the company.
So far, I have not found any useful journal articles within any of IUPUI's databases.
Anyone have any ideas?
A couple of other promising sites are:
http://www.kidsread.com
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/authors/
As far as publishing books for young adults, I'm still kind of wondering where to go with it. I've been searching but so far I haven't found a whole lot besides what I've already mentioned. I did find, using IUPUI's catalog, a book titled, Publishers Directory but it isn't available on this campus--I have to request it from another IU library but when I tried to put in the request for the more recent editions, I kept getting a message that the item does not qualify for hold. I was able, however, to successfully request the 5th edition (1984). Within IUPUI's reference section, there is a book titled, Literary Market Place. It gives information for different publishing companies, including e-mail addresses, but if a person is unsure which company is the best one to meet their needs, I'm not sure how useful this book is since it's like the yellow pages--lists names of the companies with contact information and a little bit about the company.
So far, I have not found any useful journal articles within any of IUPUI's databases.
Anyone have any ideas?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wondering
So, as I said before, I've found a couple of useful web sources on publishing. But I was thinking about publishing, from a kid's perspective. If I were a student interested in writing and publishing, or if I were a teacher and wanted my class to write a book, either as a whole, or in groups, how would I get started? Would I let the students form their own groups according to what they are interested in writing about? There are a few things to consider as well. Art--do I allow some students to do the writing and some to draw pictures to go along with the story? What about time requirements? How long should I allow the students to spend on this project? I know I've spent many hours writing a few pages and then many more hours revising that work. After the project is finished, there's the submission process. Do the students participate in this as well? Students should be aware at the start of the process that then end result is publication so a certain rubric would need to be defined and followed so the students are presenting their best work for publication.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Exploration
Seeing as how I'm interested in YA literature and publishing fiction for young adults, a good starting point would be to check out other books that have already been published and also try to find out information on publishing.
A few YA books that I have found intersting:
A few YA books that I have found intersting:
- The Maximum Ride series by James Patterson
- The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
- The Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
- The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
I did find a few websites that publish books for young adults when I was looking into what it would take to publish the story I was working on over the summer (but had to put on hold for Grad school) and one looked promising--Authorhouse publishing.
Author House is a self-publishing company. You pay X amount of dollars, depending on which package you want and the services you need and then you submit your manuscript. Someone at the publishing Company contacts you on your progress and is basically "an agent" for you throughout the process. Turns out, I have a distant relative that works at Author House. I was also contacted by another company but the services were different and the cost was more. I've yet to find something that is better that I don't have to pay out of pocket to get started.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Watching
I am unsure about this project but I suppose I should just go ahead and jump in with both feet. Thinking about things that are important to me, I would be interested in exploring more about creative writing. I was an English major as an Undergrad, with my concentration being creative writing. But also, I would be interested in exploring the publishing of creative writing, particularly for young adults and possibly the idea of kids as authors. I've seen books published that were writting by kids. The track I am on in the SLIS program is Media Specialist. I really enjoy working with young people and really want to work in a high school library. I am certain that exploring this topic will be beneficial down the road when students come to the library to find out more about writing and publishing. I think that one of the AASL standards that applies to this is 4.1.8, "Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning." Also, I believe that 1.1.2 also applies, "Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning."
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