Abstract
By following outcome-oriented guidelines, publishing support groups can help new and experienced authors to write for publication. Without this structure, meetings can waste members' time and end with dwindling interest. The author describes guidelines that change a publishing support group into a successful publishing work group.
Publishing support groups are just that, they usually provide interpersonal support for authors who are interested in publishing. Sometimes this turns to negative support, with griping and complaining about "publish or perish" pressures. Even with a positive focus, support alone is not enough for most authors who need to convert their interests into actual writing. Most new and many experienced authors work best with progressive deadlines and feedback at critical steps in the project. By converting a publishing support group into an outcome-oriented publishing work group, all members are guided through a project to completion.
It is easier to read about writing, than to write. (I know, because I have the book shelf to prove it with Writer's Market, 1 Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 2 Elements of Style by Strunk and White, 3 and numerous others taking a prime position.) Similarly, it is easier to listen to information about writing than to write. This is true for freelance writers as well as nurse authors. I suspect the number of books about writing that sell each year to writers is greater than the number of articles writers complete.
But, sooner or later, you have to start writing by going step by step through the literature search, draft, revisions, submission, and usually more revisions. The publishing support group usually stops with support and/or discussions about publishing in general, while the publishing work group guides the member all the way through submission, and even revision, of a manuscript.