Prospective Authors
HD&L Publications Committee
Information for Prospective Authors
The HD&L Publications Committee is always looking for authors of primers and newsletter articles. The general information provided here is based on questions most often asked by prospective authors. Please feel free to contact the publications chair, Janet Biehl with your specific questions and to submit materials for consideration.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Primers
The Publications Committee defines a primer as “essential coverage of foundational knowledge.” Primers provide information about topics relevant to the fields of leadership and human development with an emphasis on the practical application of knowledge to help our members develop the skills, attitudes, and behaviors that will distinguish them as leaders in their communities and workplaces.
We publish two primers per year, in May and December, and are planning to increase to three per year.
Primers are 24-page booklets of typically 5000-6000 words, a variety of tables, graphs, and other diagrams, and in-text citations. Our Manuscript Review Rubric provides prospective primer authors with content guidelines, and is used to evaluate manuscripts.
We do not pay our authors for writing primers and we do not earn any revenue on the primers. We do encourage our authors to market themselves in their biographies which are included in the primers.
We do not sell our primers. We use our primers in four venues:
- A paper copy is mailed to each of our worldwide division members as a members-only benefit. (As of 22 June 2007, we have 3038 members: 2501 in the USA and 537 international.)
- Primers are distributed to visitors to our Exhibit Booth at the World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) as an inducement to join our division. (We typically distribute 750-1000.)
- We ship large quantities (typically 80-100) of primers to ASQ regional and division conferences when requested by conference organizers to increase awareness and promote interest in our division.
- We send small quantities (typically 12-25) to division members who request extra copies for distribution to work groups.
Our senior editor works very closely with our authors to guide them through the stages of the writing process.
Newsletter Articles
Our division newsletter The Human Element contains expository essays, opinion pieces, columns, book and media reviews, relevant quotations, announcements of upcoming events, reports on conferences, information about committee projects and programs, and calls for volunteers.
We publish two newsletters per year, in the first and third quarters, and are planning to increase to four per year. Newsletters are posted on our division webpage. Every division member receives an email announcing the posting of the newsletter.
Suggested word counts for newsletter articles:
Feature article: 1500-2000 words
Conference report: 600-750 words
Book and Media reviews: 700-800 words
Regular column: 400-900 words (We are seeking authors who are interested in sharing information with our members on a regular basis.)
Additional Opportunities
We are building a repository of briefing papers, research papers, and presentations written by our division members. We encourage our division members to share their knowledge with their fellow members. Authors’ professional biographies and contact information are included with their submissions. Materials are posted as PDF Downloads in the Members-Only section of our webpage. Marketing materials are not permitted.
In addition to authoring primers and articles, and submitting original materials, we are looking for non-native English speakers to participate in a new project called Operation: Translation and volunteer their time to translate our primers into their first languages. The names and professional biographies of our translators are included in the primer transcripts. Translations of primers are posted on our division webpage.
Volunteer Opportunities
Your division needs your help! HD&L offers a variety of opportunities for our members to become more involved. We invite you to review the specific activities listed below and contact the committee chairs for additional information and to express your interest in volunteering. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Publications Committee needs help with:
- Authoring a primer – Suggest topics, obtain approval, write a draft of the primer, and then follow the division’s editorial process
- Authoring a newsletter article – Suggest topics, obtain approval, write the article, and then follow the division’s editorial process
- Authoring a book review – Identify a book to review, or read a book suggested by the Publications Chair; write the review; and then follow the division’s editorial process
- Monitoring the DiscussionBoard – Read discussion threads and report on the popular topics in the newsletter
- Soliciting Manuscripts – Identify potential authors, make initial contact, and then hand off to the Publications Chair
- Reviewing Manuscripts – Read manuscripts, provide feedback via the evaluation rubric, and participate in follow-up conversations with the Publications Chair
- Editing Layout– Format e-newsletter, proofread final content, and then send it to HQ to be posted
If you are interested in any of the activities above, please contact our Publications Chair, Janet Biehl.
The Programs Committee needs help with:
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Coordinating Conference Tracks – Manage timeline for Call for Papers. Compile results of review of submissions. Formulate track proposal, including back-up presenters, and seek track approval
from conference host. Provide liaison coordination, as needed, between conference host and HD&L track presenters. - Managing the Exhibit Booth – Coordinate booth shipment to and from conferences. Ensure sufficient help is scheduled to set-up, staff, and dismantle booth. Coordinate with ASQ staff and HD&L committee members for booth supplies.
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Staffing the Exhibit Booth – Talk with visitors to our booth about our division and the benefits of membership, and hand out informational materials. Possibly help with set-up and dismantling of booth.
(Booth staffers typically live near the site of the conference.)
If you are interested in any of the activities above, please contact our Programs Chair, Diane Byrd.
The Education Committee needs help with:
- Developing programs – Create or review materials being developed for HD&L programs.
- Updating the body of knowledge – Conduct research or benchmarking to help identify changes that are needed to the HD&L body of knowledge.
If you are interested in any of the activities above, please contact our Education Chair, Rick Biehl.
The Division Council needs volunteers to fill some specific roles:
- Regional Councilor – Acts as a liaison between HD&L and the various sections within the region, identifying opportunities in the regions for HD&L to get involved and offer support.
- Division/Forum Councilor – Acts as a liaison between HD&L and another ASQ division or forum in order to identify opportunities for synergy and partnership.
If you are interested in any of the activities above, please contact our Chair-elect, Rick Biehl.
