Inside story: Publications Committee Janet Parker, Chairman of BSAVA Publications Committee, discusses some of the work thatgoes into the BSAVAi manuals

YET another trip around the motorways of Britain to Chel- tenhan. I don't think I realised that, as Chairman of Publications, I would gain such an intimate knowledge of the M5.

With Publications Committee in charge of what is, in effect, a small publishing business, there is always plenty to do. The BSAVA Manual series is considered a 'gold standard' in the veterinary publish- ing world. This is no mean achieve- ment tor a business previously run for fun in people's spare time. How- ever, our task has been made easier in that. earlier this year, the BSAVA recruited a Publishing Manager; we now hAve Marion Jowett, who does her best to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

So what is involved in bringing a manual to the point where it comes through your letterbox and into your hands? A lot - as I have learnt since ralung over the chair of this comm I ttee from Simon Petersen- Jones i 11 April.

First comes an idea. This is usu- ally generated by potential editors (vets from academia and practice in the UI; and world-wide) who can see a need for their subject area to be covered by a BSAVA manual. An outlinr is then put to the Publica- tions C ommittee and, if it is agree- able, i r goes before Advisory and

Management, and finally Council. Only if it is still considered a good idea, can production start. Most books currently have both a scien- tific and a general editor (also a vet). They have to be briefed, the con- tributors commissioned and their chapters submitted to Marion.

It is then down to Marion to juggle a host of different activities, ensuring that chapters are copy- edited, proof-read and typeset, and liaising with the printers and everyone involved in the finished product.

A further consideration is the marketing. This covers everything from promoting the manual's overall 'new look' problem-orien-

A number of new tated style, to commissioning cover manuals are due

design, placing advertisements, With all this going on it is little to be In organking review copies and man- 1998. Watch this ning the stand at BSAVA's flagship rushing around! space! event, Congress (a significant point of sale).

Aside from the books, there are of course other involvements, which include CD-ROM publishing.

Meanwhile, the current publica- tions secretary, Wendy Fatemian, helps in most roles and, impor- tantly, coordinates all invoices and the distribution of BSAVA products to our members.

Finally, there is the involvement of all our national and international distributors outside the UK veteri-

Mario" JOWett at the E A V A stand

nary profession to consider.

wonder that we are all permanently

7 m

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Janet Parker arrives to dlscuss PUMlCatkns

JOURNN OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE VOL 39 JANUARY 1998