Examines the robustness property of Lotka's law for scholarly papers with more than one author. Adjusted counts for assigning credit to authors proportionally are explained, and two bibliographies are analyzed using frequency distributions that show where the robustness property breaks down. (nine references) (LRW)

Questionnaires were sent to professional authors to determine the impact of technological tools on their writing and on publishing. Although authors have embraced technology more enthusiastically than publishers, analyses of their responses indicate they are not advanced users. The changing nature of publication and pertinent legal and financial…

Discusses the work of children's author Jerry Pallotta, whose talent for integrating interesting science facts with wry humor in alphabet books captures readers of all ages. (RS)

Discusses the role of book reviews in library periodical literature and profiles review writers based on a study of 1,305 reviews published from 1987 to 1989. Information related to sex, occupation, affiliation, and geographic location of the reviewers is provided, and recommendations for further research are given. (34 references) (LRW)

Explores the author's experiences writing fantasy. Establishes the values of both science fiction and fantasy for the writer and the reader. Asserts that fantasy is not "escapist" and empowers a young reader against the day when real powers come into that reader's hands. (PRA)

Presents an interview with Perri Klass, pediatrician, columnist, and author of two novels, a volume of short stories, and several essays. (SR)

Discusses issues of copyright and the transfer or use of intellectual property as they relate to librarians. Topics addressed include the purpose of copyright laws, financial losses to publishers from pirating, cultural views of pirating, the fair use doctrine, concerns of authors of scholarly materials, impact of increasing library automation and…

This paper analyzes the early life of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) for its implications on early environments which nurture giftedness. The paper notes the close family ties, intellectual models provided by adults, the role of imaginary games, and identification of giftedness by educators. (DB)

Includes four papers from the 1991 conference on nonfiction for children that was sponsored by Drexel University and the Free Library of Philadelphia. Topics discussed include writing books for children; research for illustrating children's books; and the winner of the 1991 Drexel Citation, Aliki Liacouras Brandenberg. (LRW)

The young adult novelist M. E. Kerr discusses her career including her writing process, favorites among her books, the issues she writes about, how she keeps in contact with young people, and current work. A bibliography of 17 young adult books written by M. E. Kerr is included. (EAM)

Presents an interview with Lois Lowry, 1994 Newbery Medal winner, about her book "The Giver" and the background for its writing. (SR)

Discusses bringing local writers into the classroom--how to locate such writers and how to prepare for and organize the visit. (SR)

Discusses issues that deal with the interface of copyright law and online systems. Areas of change needed to maintain the balance between users and creators of electronic information are identified, limits of the Copyright Act are explored, and it is suggested that existing copyright law can be applied to electronic information. (four references)…

Studied five students to investigate whether socially distributed cognition can be used in design of computer system to support collaborative writing. Data show "group" talk is bound with procedural, executive, and substantive talk and a system that allows for only text-based forms of communication is likely to limit ways in which talk acts as…

Presents the responses of numerous professional writers to the question, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" (HB)