Knowledgeable professionals don’t always come with the best writing skills; know that you may have your work cut out for you.

Recruit volunteers with the requisite knowledge Request recommendations from staff and

members Approach specific members Be prepared to put the time in: varies based on

writing skill** Paying writers

Choosing your words wisely: The Critique Special considerations: Prima donnas,

language barriers, cultural differences** Build trust and reassure through

communication; communicate, communicate, communicate!

Show respect and appreciation for their time and effort

Provide enough time to complete the job

Know what you want from the writer and clearly communicate that Expectations: explain your role as editor ◦ Commitment ◦ Deadlines ◦ Editorial and peer review process

Guidelines ◦ Topics ◦ Length ◦ Style, Tone ◦ Include/Exclude Footnotes/Endnotes ◦ Length of bio

Do you have any flexibility? Should you? And how much?

Deadlines ◦ Never give the real deadline! ◦ Plan 2 or 3 months out depending on the complexity of

the topic, maybe longer. Topics ◦ Editorial calendar? ◦ Timely, not time-sensitive ◦ Plan B: Repurposing previously written articles Recruiting more than one writer for a topic Going to press with fewer pages than planned

Should your association own everything that appears in its magazine?

Copyright policy in writing Assignment of ownership form in advance Release form for photos Children’s privacy Reprint policy

No surprises! Stay organized and on top of your writers Tickler system: strategic reminders ◦ 30 days ◦ 2 weeks ◦ 1 week ◦ Night before

Fake deadlines

The good, the bad, and the ugly: Dealing with crappy writers for the sake of the association Diamond in the rough Document your use of the person** Provide feedback to the president or executive

director with evidence to make your case Be respectful and diplomatic but don’t change

the playbook for this one person Follow best practices Engage writer in other ways that might be more

beneficial

Critical part of CYA Substantive review of articles Diversity among members Commitment Constructive criticism required Panel members ◦ 5 or 6 members ◦ 1 or 2 members from the board of directors

Steps to CYA ◦ At least 2 reviewers per article ◦ Submit articles anonymously ◦ Keep a paper trail or email trail ◦ Include in-house review for substantive and political

reasons

Something to consider Controversial content? Advertising and sponsorships? A generic disclaimer on all articles? Example: “The author’s views do not necessarily represent the views of the association or its officers ...”

When it’s time for a change

Poor quality work Change in focus False sense of ownership Complacency Procedure Using your peer review panel to reject or

terminate with cause Recruiting 2 writers for one column who will

take turns

Are you motivated/committed?

Can you adapt to the preferred writing style?

Can you accept criticism (constructive)?

Will you relinquish ownership?

Can you accept editorial changes?

Emily Schuster Editor-in-chief, Dimensions magazine Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Phone: (202) 783-7200 x130 E-mail: eschuster@astc.org www.astc.org Twitter handle: @esschuster

Tatia L. Gordon-Troy, Esq. Ramses House Publishing, LLC: “So Let It Be Written … So Let It

Be Done.” Former Editor-in-chief, Immigration Law Today magazine

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Cell: 410.428.2700 E-mail: tatiatroy@ramseshp.com Twitter handle: @tatia_troy