One of the things I've been watching for online is a blog from a libraryland publisher, giving "behind-the-scenes" glimpses and insight into what is happening in this world. Print is becoming a harder sell these days, and I find it interesting to watch how publishers are adapting (or not).

I have an inside view of this (which is the disclaimer - I work half-time for ALA Publishing), but I don't know as much about the process for getting a book from idea to finished product marketed in multiple venues. So I'm intrigued to hear the inner thoughts of the editors on the ALA Editions Blog. Check it out and see if you might be, too. If nothing else, you can get an RSS feed for their new publications or even the feed for posts about new manuscripts so you can see what is coming down the pipe. You could also throw the main feed into your podcatcher program, because they plan to offer podcasts in the near future.

As I've gotten to know the editors, we've had some great talks about potential authors, titles, and formats. And yet, I've gotten more personal information about them from the Meet the Editors page (I think we need a lunch or after-work meeting that involves drinks!). For example, I had no idea that Jenni knows how to call pigs (a skill that surely comes in handy at conference somehow). And Laura must be pretty excited about this weekend's Final Four games since Ohio State is in the running for a national title.

So far there are tips for creative ways to promote poetry, advice for frontline staff based on a recent incident at a Chicago bar, an explanation for why the cover of a forthcoming book was changed, and (my favorite) a description of Susan Gibbons' manuscript about "NetGenners" and academic libraries ("As data emerged, Gibbons found she had to toss aside some preconceptions…that students’ Xboxes, IM accounts and IPods were at best, secondary to their academic work, at worst, distractions."). Lucky me, I've got a copy of the manuscript to read. :)

Is it marketing? Sure. But it's a human side to ALA Editions, similar to what Keir provides via his Booklist blog, Likely Stories, or the personal recollections of American Libraries' staff on their CentenniAL Blog. It's a big step for ALA staff to put themselves out there like this since traditionally they have stayed tucked away in the corners and were not seen, let alone heard.

I'm in a strange position sometimes, because I'm a member now, as well as a staff person, and as a member, I find it refreshing to see and hear from the folks that make an improbably-structured organization work as well as it does.