How to Get Published

Options:

Publishing on the Web is an appealing option for some writers. Not only can you post data to the Internet faster than a printer can turn out the bound paper product, but the research can be searched and crossreferenced easier. The downside to Web publishing is that the peer review process tends to be less extensive than with printed publications, which means less value is typically placed on Web publications than printed works.

The dream of many writers is to publish an original book of their work. Whether published as a volume of edited works, or as a single author work, a book can be the perfect vehicle to present a wide array of ideas on a given topic. The AOCS book catalog can give you a good idea of the kinds of books AOCS Press publishes - including, but certainly not limited to, literature reviews, handbooks, hot topics, and research or analytical volumes. Your contribution can either be as an editor (a person who organizes the book and finds authors to contribute), or as a chapter author presenting one aspect of research on the book's topic. While books can deliver a wider scope of material than a journal article or CD-ROM, the downside to book publishing is a typically longer turnaround time compared to CD-ROMs or publishing on the Web.

CD-ROMs, such as AOCS' Focus on Omega-3, present a third option in publishing. CDs can contain a wide variety of media, including Powerpoint presentations, PDFs, and graphical representations of your information. They are easily searchable, making for a quick reference tool that can store much information in a conveniently small space. CD-ROMs tend to be more affordable than other types of publishing, but organizing CDs into a usable format can take time, and are often not circulated as widely as journals or books.

AOCS publishes three journals (Journal of American Oil Chemists' Society, Lipids, and Journal of Surfactants and Detergents). Each journal is peer-reviewed by leading scientists, ensuring that AOCS publications remain the standard of the industry. Articles for journals can be submitted online at www.aocs.org/press.

inform is AOCS' monthly magazine for society members featuring news and articles on fats, oils, surfactants, and related materials. For more information on publishing in inform, contact Jeremy Coulter.

Among the many publishing options available, submitting an official method is the most unique to AOCS. The Technical Services department of AOCS publishes the Official Methods & Recommended Practices of the AOCS, which is available to oil chemists as the primary source of novel and standard laboratory methods. Your method is added to the Official Methods book upon approval, but is also available for purchase individually and as part of an Additions and Revisions supplement created each year. This ensures that laboratories are continually updated with the most current information. For more information on submitting methods, contact Technical Services.

In summary, your various options present pros and cons: