Comments on: On working at a university press http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/on-working-at-a-university-press/ A mix of musings from Kristin Harpster Lawrence Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:39:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jane Bunker http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/on-working-at-a-university-press/#comment-13 Jane Bunker Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:23:44 +0000 http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/?p=5#comment-13 hi Kristin, Sandy T. pointed us toward your blog, and i'm happy to see it and look forward to reading more. These are fascinating issues and hopefully this forum will be helpful. Jane hi Kristin,

Sandy T. pointed us toward your blog, and i’m happy to see it and look forward to reading more. These are fascinating issues and hopefully this forum will be helpful.

Jane

]]> By: Karen http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/on-working-at-a-university-press/#comment-11 Karen Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:41:00 +0000 http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/?p=5#comment-11 Being a baby boomer, I HATE that you suggest more technology (from your blog: "The solution seems obvious: university presses should publish hyperlinked scholarship online for 'free.'") and yet I LOVE that you offer realistic issues faced in getting those steps taken. I also see the WISDOM in your solution. This is the direction that we are heading and I think we need to get onboard or sink like a stone. So many younsters (and readers) are used to getting their materials online--that issue needs to be addressed in order to not lose your potential customers, and perhaps to introduce new customers to your product. Being a baby boomer, I HATE that you suggest more technology (from your blog: “The solution seems obvious: university presses should publish hyperlinked scholarship online for ‘free.’”) and yet I LOVE that you offer realistic issues faced in getting those steps taken. I also see the WISDOM in your solution. This is the direction that we are heading and I think we need to get onboard or sink like a stone. So many younsters (and readers) are used to getting their materials online–that issue needs to be addressed in order to not lose your potential customers, and perhaps to introduce new customers to your product.

]]> By: R http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/on-working-at-a-university-press/#comment-10 R Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:47:02 +0000 http://khlawrence.wordpress.com/?p=5#comment-10 I really like that you are open and honest about your own (sometimes competing) points of view. It is a struggle that you clearly articulate and one that draw parallels to the push and pull of working at a university press. The university setting is one where ideas are supposed to be generated, but since it is such a large institution, it is hard to get any real change to occur. I think you have some excellent ideas, but what will you do to bring other people on board? You have a lot of interesting comments. I think your discussion of the first step that needs to be taken in acquisitions is crucial. I think about it like planting a garden. If you want to harvest corn (for example) why would you just take any seeds that come your way and plant them and then hope that you get corn? More attention needs to be directed at the foundation of a press's list. Thanks for writing! I am enjoying the discussion of the issues you bring up. Good to think about. I really like that you are open and honest about your own (sometimes competing) points of view. It is a struggle that you clearly articulate and one that draw parallels to the push and pull of working at a university press. The university setting is one where ideas are supposed to be generated, but since it is such a large institution, it is hard to get any real change to occur. I think you have some excellent ideas, but what will you do to bring other people on board?

You have a lot of interesting comments. I think your discussion of the first step that needs to be taken in acquisitions is crucial. I think about it like planting a garden. If you want to harvest corn (for example) why would you just take any seeds that come your way and plant them and then hope that you get corn? More attention needs to be directed at the foundation of a press’s list.

Thanks for writing! I am enjoying the discussion of the issues you bring up. Good to think about.

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