{"id":306,"date":"2017-08-02T19:02:09","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T19:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/opentextbooked2\/?post_type=front-matter&#038;p=306"},"modified":"2022-07-15T18:32:31","modified_gmt":"2022-07-15T18:32:31","slug":"introduction","status":"publish","type":"front-matter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/front-matter\/introduction\/","title":{"raw":"Introduction","rendered":"Introduction"},"content":{"raw":"When BCcampus Open Education began, its <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/opentextbook\/\">Authoring Guide<\/a> was created to assist faculty and staff in this province with not only writing open textbooks, but also adapting and adopting them. Basic information about open education and its resources were included as everyone began learning about this new way of teaching and learning. To our surprise and pleasure, others adapted this guide to fit their institution's or region's needs.\r\n\r\nMuch has happened since then. An increasing number of faculty and staff are writing open textbooks, creating a growing demand for a resource that will guide authors through not just the textbook-writing process, but\u00a0also the many steps needed to carry a textbook -- an <em>openly licensed<\/em> textbook with its own unique requirements -- to completion.\u00a0Some authors are fortunate to have the backing of an academic press or open textbook publisher. For authors who do not have this support, this <em>Self-Publishing Guide<\/em> is for you.\r\n\r\nUsing our<em>\u00a0Authoring Guide<\/em>\u00a0as a framework, all of the internal processes used and experiences gathered by BCcampus Open Education project managers during the first phases of the B.C. Open Textbook Project have been included in this volume. Sections about the adaptation and adoption of open textbooks and how to use Pressbooks have been removed and added to separate guides.\r\n\r\nI have done my best, when writing this guide, to model what we preach by following the best practices outlined in it. Some of the extra steps taken with this guide include:\r\n<h1>Accessibility<\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Following the accessibility criteria laid out in the BCcampus <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/back-matter\/appendix-checklist-for-accessibility-toolkit\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Checklist for Accessibility Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Marking links to Word documents as \"[Word file]\"<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Labelling external links -- that open in a new tab -- with \"[New Tab]\"<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>Attention to detail<\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Performing both copy editing and proofreading<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Creating and posting a comprehensive style sheet<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>Extra features<\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Highlighting key points or links to additional information in shaded textboxes<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identifying keywords with bold text<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Summarizing key terms, alphabetically, in a <a href=\"\/selfpublishguide\/back-matter\/glossary\/\">Glossary<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>Open<\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Providing templates as editable Word files<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Curating only open resources<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>References<\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Using attribution statements for all curated open resources: CC-licensed and public domain<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Citing text throughout using the Chicago citation style<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Posting all references in an end-of-book bibliography<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>Topics covered in this\u00a0<em>Self-Publishing Guide<\/em><\/h1>\r\nThis guide was arranged into sections that take the open textbook author through the following steps of the writing and publishing process. At the end of each section, look for links to related chapters in the Open Textbook Network's publication:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/authoropen\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Authoring Open Textbooks<\/a>.\r\n<h2>1. Look Before You Write<\/h2>\r\nIn this first section, would-be authors are presented with the challenges of writing and publishing a textbook and the unique characteristics of a book that is openly licensed.\r\n<h2>2. Prepare to Write<\/h2>\r\nThis part lays out issues that should be considered and addressed before starting an open-textbook-publishing project.\r\n<h2>3. Plan Your Book<\/h2>\r\nThis list of topics will help you create a comprehensive plan for your textbook project.\r\n<h2>4. Write... and More<\/h2>\r\nThis section discusses the many facets of the open textbook writing and creation process.\r\n<h2>5. Edit and Review<\/h2>\r\nThe hallmarks of a quality textbook -- peer review, copy editing, and proofreading -- are covered in this part.\r\n<h2>6. Pre-publication<\/h2>\r\nThese are the final tasks to complete before publication, including setting up a communication plan.\r\n<h2>7. Post-publication<\/h2>\r\nOnce your textbook has been launched, look to these suggestions to help track usage and maintain a high-quality textbook.\r\n<h1>Other open textbook guides and toolkits<\/h1>\r\nBCcampus Open Education has developed several instructional guides that are designed to complement this <em>Self-Publishing Guide<\/em>.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/pressbooks\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Pressbook<\/em>s Guide<\/a>: This guide specifically addresses the creation and adaptation of open textbooks and other OER using the Pressbooks platform. It is intended to act as an adjunct to the comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/guide.pressbooks.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Pressbooks Userguide<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0Accessibility Toolkit - 2nd Edition<\/a>. This toolkit provides the resources and best practices needed to create an open and accessible textbook. The first edition is also available in French: <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/troussedoutildaccessibilite\/\" rel=\"noopener\">La Trousse d\u2019outils d\u2019accessibilit\u00e9<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/adaptopentextbook\" rel=\"noopener\">Adaptation Guide<\/a>. This resource outlines the steps required to adapt or revise an open textbook.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/printondemand\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Print-on-Demand<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/printondemand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> G<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/printondemand\/\" rel=\"noopener\">uide<\/a>. This guide outlines the what, why, and how of producing printed copies of textbooks.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/adoptopentextbook\/\">Adoption Guide - 2nd Edition<\/a><em>. <\/em>This references offers pointers for instructors who want to use or adopt an open textbook in the classroom.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/workinggroupguide\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Working Group Guide<\/a>. This resource is for librarians, staff, and faculty who support or are supporting open education at their institution and are starting or running an open working group.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<p>When BCcampus Open Education began, its <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/opentextbook\/\">Authoring Guide<\/a> was created to assist faculty and staff in this province with not only writing open textbooks, but also adapting and adopting them. Basic information about open education and its resources were included as everyone began learning about this new way of teaching and learning. To our surprise and pleasure, others adapted this guide to fit their institution&#8217;s or region&#8217;s needs.<\/p>\n<p>Much has happened since then. An increasing number of faculty and staff are writing open textbooks, creating a growing demand for a resource that will guide authors through not just the textbook-writing process, but\u00a0also the many steps needed to carry a textbook &#8212; an <em>openly licensed<\/em> textbook with its own unique requirements &#8212; to completion.\u00a0Some authors are fortunate to have the backing of an academic press or open textbook publisher. For authors who do not have this support, this <em>Self-Publishing Guide<\/em> is for you.<\/p>\n<p>Using our<em>\u00a0Authoring Guide<\/em>\u00a0as a framework, all of the internal processes used and experiences gathered by BCcampus Open Education project managers during the first phases of the B.C. Open Textbook Project have been included in this volume. Sections about the adaptation and adoption of open textbooks and how to use Pressbooks have been removed and added to separate guides.<\/p>\n<p>I have done my best, when writing this guide, to model what we preach by following the best practices outlined in it. Some of the extra steps taken with this guide include:<\/p>\n<h1>Accessibility<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Following the accessibility criteria laid out in the BCcampus <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/back-matter\/appendix-checklist-for-accessibility-toolkit\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Checklist for Accessibility Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Marking links to Word documents as &#8220;[Word file]&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Labelling external links &#8212; that open in a new tab &#8212; with &#8220;[New Tab]&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Attention to detail<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Performing both copy editing and proofreading<\/li>\n<li>Creating and posting a comprehensive style sheet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Extra features<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Highlighting key points or links to additional information in shaded textboxes<\/li>\n<li>Identifying keywords with bold text<\/li>\n<li>Summarizing key terms, alphabetically, in a <a href=\"\/selfpublishguide\/back-matter\/glossary\/\">Glossary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Open<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Providing templates as editable Word files<\/li>\n<li>Curating only open resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>References<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Using attribution statements for all curated open resources: CC-licensed and public domain<\/li>\n<li>Citing text throughout using the Chicago citation style<\/li>\n<li>Posting all references in an end-of-book bibliography<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Topics covered in this\u00a0<em>Self-Publishing Guide<\/em><\/h1>\n<p>This guide was arranged into sections that take the open textbook author through the following steps of the writing and publishing process. At the end of each section, look for links to related chapters in the Open Textbook Network&#8217;s publication:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/authoropen\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Authoring Open Textbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Look Before You Write<\/h2>\n<p>In this first section, would-be authors are presented with the challenges of writing and publishing a textbook and the unique characteristics of a book that is openly licensed.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Prepare to Write<\/h2>\n<p>This part lays out issues that should be considered and addressed before starting an open-textbook-publishing project.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Plan Your Book<\/h2>\n<p>This list of topics will help you create a comprehensive plan for your textbook project.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Write&#8230; and More<\/h2>\n<p>This section discusses the many facets of the open textbook writing and creation process.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Edit and Review<\/h2>\n<p>The hallmarks of a quality textbook &#8212; peer review, copy editing, and proofreading &#8212; are covered in this part.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Pre-publication<\/h2>\n<p>These are the final tasks to complete before publication, including setting up a communication plan.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Post-publication<\/h2>\n<p>Once your textbook has been launched, look to these suggestions to help track usage and maintain a high-quality textbook.<\/p>\n<h1>Other open textbook guides and toolkits<\/h1>\n<p>BCcampus Open Education has developed several instructional guides that are designed to complement this <em>Self-Publishing Guide<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/pressbooks\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Pressbook<\/em>s Guide<\/a>: This guide specifically addresses the creation and adaptation of open textbooks and other OER using the Pressbooks platform. It is intended to act as an adjunct to the comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/guide.pressbooks.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Pressbooks Userguide<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0Accessibility Toolkit &#8211; 2nd Edition<\/a>. This toolkit provides the resources and best practices needed to create an open and accessible textbook. The first edition is also available in French: <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/troussedoutildaccessibilite\/\" rel=\"noopener\">La Trousse d\u2019outils d\u2019accessibilit\u00e9<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/adaptopentextbook\" rel=\"noopener\">Adaptation Guide<\/a>. This resource outlines the steps required to adapt or revise an open textbook.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/printondemand\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Print-on-Demand<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/printondemand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> G<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/printondemand\/\" rel=\"noopener\">uide<\/a>. This guide outlines the what, why, and how of producing printed copies of textbooks.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/adoptopentextbook\/\">Adoption Guide &#8211; 2nd Edition<\/a><em>. <\/em>This references offers pointers for instructors who want to use or adopt an open textbook in the classroom.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/workinggroupguide\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Working Group Guide<\/a>. This resource is for librarians, staff, and faculty who support or are supporting open education at their institution and are starting or running an open working group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"front-matter-type":[12],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-306","front-matter","type-front-matter","status-publish","hentry","front-matter-type-introduction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/front-matter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2780,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/306\/revisions\/2780"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/306\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"front-matter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter-type?post=306"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=306"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/selfpublishguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}