The book topic? Professional Communication: Business, Technical, Scientific Documentation--A Reader for Writers, Editors, and Managers
Over the past 35 years of working in the world of professional communications--business, technical, scientific--I've met and worked with an amazing array of skilled professionals.
I've seen the outstanding quality of the documentation they have produced. I've seen how they have mentored newbies to our profession. And I've seen how they have continued to excel in their profession through their willingness to learn new skills to enhance their performance.
Many of us have worked for years in industry and other forms of publication--and have never found a way to express our understanding of our profession.
Many of us have worked in professional communications long enough to remember working with manual typewriters, Kroy Lettering Machines, LeRoys, healing tables, blue-lines, waxing machines, galleys, half-tones, printing plates, IBM-Selectric or Mag-Card typewriters, CP/M computers, 8" and 5" "floppy disks", 3" floppy disks, dummy terminal systems, Wang, Lanier, and IBM "word-processing" systems, and programs such as Interleaf and Bookbinder. The documentation process took months and years.
We've come a long way. We now have seemingly instant documentation.
Is it magic?
Or, as is now a common perception: Can anyone do it?
I'm hoping that this book project will provide an outlet for my colleagues so that others can learn about this interesting profession. Also, our colleagues will have a book they can be proud of.
