Describes a study that examined characteristics of author self-citations in the library and information science literature based on a sample of 1,058 articles from 28 journals. Specific factors examined include frequency of self-citations, self-citations compared to total citations, professional characteristics of the authors, and subject…

Presents an exchange of letters between the author of an article submitted to this journal (and eventually published in this issue), the journal editor, and two reviewers, intended to demystify the reviewing process. (SR)

Contemplates the meaning and misunderstanding of the works of West Virginia author, Breece Pancake, who took his own life at age 26. Pancake used a "realistic" representation of a place to create an effect in his fiction, not to develop a regional image. Contains comments from other Appalachian writers concerning Pancake's work. (KS)

Introduces novelist and art history professor Donald Harington. Rather than a detailed examination of his novels, this interview concentrates on broader questions about Harington's life; his inspirations; his region--the Ozarks of Arkansas--which he sees as an outpost of the Appalachians; and its influence on his art in general and his fictional…

Describes how teachers can make the most of authors' presentations to elementary students by taking necessary steps before, during, and after the visit and planning the day. The article also provides an eight-step presenter's guide for authors that can be photocopied and sent to authors before the school visit. (SM)

Presents excerpts from a preconference of the 1991 American Library Association Annual Convention that celebrated the multicultural diversity found in contemporary children's literature. Four authors and illustrators (Cameron, Keiko Narahashi, Mildred Pitts Walter, and David Wisniewski) present their views of what cultural diversity means and its…

Examines the life and work of Samuel Griswold Goodrich who, writing under the name "Peter Parley," was one of the United States' most prolific geography textbook writers. Explains that Parley was among the nineteenth century's best known educational figures. Underscores Goodrich's profuse use of illustrations and personal writing style.…

Discusses the author event in libraries and the efforts Baker and Taylor has made to bridge the communication gap between publishers and libraries and to encourage author publicity events. Argues that events are good business for publishers, writers, and libraries; and outlines aspects libraries must consider in organizing such an event. (EA)

Describes the folk tale "Iron John" and the attraction it held for the author as a boy. Discusses the author's own reforming of the tale in a picture book version. (SR)

Discusses how and why the author creates the characters she does and how she consciously takes account of gender issues in doing so. Suggests that both genders have to be allowed to be as real in literature as they are in life. (RS)

Discusses the qualities of successful realistic children's fiction and examines issues involved in writing and publishing for children. A historical overview of the image of children in fiction is presented; dealing with sensitive, emotional topics is discussed; and concerns of editors and publishers of children's fiction are addressed. (12…

Describes a study that examined back of book indexes produced by 37 authors and 27 nonauthors to see whether differences between the 2 groups of indexers could be discerned by counting the occurrence of 3 characteristics in their indexes: number of index pages, modified headings, and cross-reference use. (27 references) (LRW)

Describes the rationale, implementation, and results of one approach for a graduate course or school district inservice program that engages teachers directly in examining their own cultural perspectives first and then the multicultural perspectives of others by using novels by authors of color and of different ethnic backgrounds. (SR)

This bibliometric study analyzed reference lists from three instructional design journals from 1985-90 to identify the most frequently cited authors. A total of 37 authors with 20 or more citations during the 5-year period were identified and rank ordered by number of citations. (14 references) (MES)

Explores racism in children's literature, via an exchange of letters between a fictional person and the author. Discusses the author's experiences over the past eight years as a writer and illustrator. (SR)