Where can I publish??? 2

[hansjoi001]

I am a consulting engineer (Mechanical/Industrial) working out of my home office in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. I've written an article entitled "Leadership and Irresponsible Followers" (Why business is no place for Yes Men)consisting of about 1600 words which I've been trying to get published in several trade magazines (machining/fabrication, etc.) but all I'm collecting is rejection slips. Does anyone have any ideas where I could be more successful with a submittal?

 

[jmw]

Without seeing the article it is difficult to say, but just based on what you have said, I suspect your message doesn't accord with the magazine content. It may not be a message people want to hear. Perhaps the sub-title could be more positive; "how to get the best out of "yes men".

It may find a home in educational magazines or in recruitment magazines, but possibly not where you most want to place it.

I also suspect that your message may not be welcomed in many industries which are well equipped with all sorts of "yes men".

Perhaps recognising their existence you have some advice on "how to survive working with "yes men" or something similar? There is plenty of scope for HR and management learning programs where they wish to know how to recognise different behavioural types and how to get the best out of them.

The problem with many industries is that there are often insufficient people in the labour pool who have ideal qualities. This means that successful businesses must adapt their working methods to be work with the qualities available.
One category is the "yes man".

Another is the "No man", the "we've done it that way since I were a lad" type, or the sorts who say "there's no market for more than 4 home computers." or that there is no new physics to be discovered.

The list of unsuitable types to employ in any endeavour is limitless. The number of fully suitable people is in very low and they probably wouldn't work for what most companies could afford to pay them.

JMW

http://www.viscoanalyser.com

Eng-Tips: Pro bono publico, by engineers, for engineers.

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[hansjoi001]

your comments are most appropriate...my thanks! I'd be glad to provide you a copy of the draft if you're interested. Perhaps you could analize and review..

 

[ParabolicTet]

You can send me a copy too.

http://web.peoriadesignweb.com/eos

 

[hansjoi001]

as regards requests for copies of my article.. I would be glad to provide same if you'll give me your e-mail addresses.
hansjoi001
hansjoi@yahoo.com

 

[jmw]

hanssjoi001,
if you follow the link on my web site address and send to the contact e-mail there, it will come straight to me and no one elses. I look forward to seeing it.

I should be quick and red flag your posts to get them removed once you receive your copies of the article; or in the red flag ask the site to remove the e-mail address; the site administrators will then remove them.... they are keen to point out the dangers of posting e-mail addresses on the site.


JMW

http://www.viscoanalyser.com

Eng-Tips: Pro bono publico, by engineers, for engineers.

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[ICman]

Are you expecting to be paid for this article? Or, do you just want to get published?

Most trade magazines do not pay for unsolicited articles. On the other hand, most are always looking for new ideas/articles, so they are not always repeating themselves.

Are you willing to let the publication edit your article? Some authors won't let anyone touch their words. Most engineers are not good writers (as told to me by more than one editor), and require quite a bit of editing. Editors sometimes farm out articles for editing because they do not have the time to do so. You might want to have another party edit/comment on your article before submitting it.

Who are you sending the article to? Are you actually sending the article, or just the idea? It's a good idea to address a particular magazine's audience. Tailor your article for the industry (such as machining or fabrication), with examples from that industry. Send the article to the Editor of the publication, not the Publisher or other editors listed on the masthead.

Do not mention any trade names or make reference to any beliefs or gender. The "yes men" alone could turn off some editors (especially if they're female, which many are). Think twice about putting your company's name on the byline (if you're insistent upon doing so), since it can be perceived as advertising or create a liability problem later. Articles written in third person are best received.

Don't give up and please be patient. It sometimes takes months, or even years, for an article to show up in print. Many editors will accept the article for publication, but will inform you that they may not use it for a while (or may tell you they are printing it next month!).

Good luck!

. . . Steve

 

[plasgears]

Some years ago I put together an outline of a book entitled: "The National Airline Academy (NAA) - long overdue." (I am a graduate engr and instructor pilot, too.) The academy would correspond to the Merchant Marine Academy in New York and the five state merchant marine academies around the country. This effort was the result of analysis of flight accidents many of which would have been cause for establishing the NAA. (The Merchant Marine Academy was established in the late 30's after a 1935 cruise ship disaster claiming 300+ lives.)

I contacted related government agencies, aviation magazines, publishers, literary agents, and the major newspapers without a good bite. The Airline Pilots Assn showed some interest because it affected their future, but it fell by the wayside for lack of sponsorship.

My present plans are to seek funding from the charitable trusts and publish privately, circulating the book to government and industry, and promoting it in the aviation and science forums and conventions. It's been 8 years already, and my efforts predated 9-11.

One of my proposals was to restrict foreign participation in the NAA. I'm not finished yet.