Rosemary on the Triumphs and Frustrations of Metadata

The following is a guest post by Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rosemary Carlough on the importance of metadata in the modern book publishing process.

It seems to be invading my life.

In my book group, when we are trying to decide what book to read next–always a very difficult decision–we look up titles on Amazon. In fact, I often use my Amazon Blackberry App to do this during meetings. In addition to finding out what the book is about and whether it has gotten any good reviews, we want to know some critical information:

1. How big is it? (i.e. how many pages long)
2. How expensive is it?
3. How much does it weigh? (Commuters consider this very important. Luckily more folks in the book group now have e-readers so this detail is declining in importance.)

All these bits of information are part of the “metadata” that the publisher supplies to what I call “the digital food chain.”

The basic metadata for a book would include: title, author, ISBN, price, format, and description. But that’s really the bare bones and not likely to help a possible customer decide to buy a book online. Think about what you want to know when you buy a book.

• Do you want to know more about the author?
  Metadata should include the Author Bio.
• Do you want more detail about what is included?
  Metadata should include the Table of Contents.
• Do you want to read part of the book?
  Metadata should include an excerpt from the book.
• Do you want to know how others liked the book?
  Metadata could include reviews about the book.

So as you can see detailed, accurate metadata can be important in driving sales. In fact, one post I read recently say that some “metadata fixes are absolutely necessary to avoid sales leakage.” But how does metadata get from the publisher to sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many others? Data feeds. Computers talking to computers.

When people talk to people, and one person is not clear, then questions can be posed to sort out the confusion. But with metadata, if the feeds are not programmed correctly then Computer A isn’t really talking to Computer B. And consequently, listings about titles aren’t accurate. It can be amazingly difficult to track down from where the inaccurate information came. Chains of emails come and go on this topic.

So there are days when it seems like all I do is think about metadata. How to feed it into our systems so that it gets sent out correctly, so that the AMACOM website has the correct information, so that Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the big book distributors Baker & Taylor and Ingram have correct information?

And now there is also metadata to create for all our digital books… So can you see why I am losing my mind over metadata?

Rosemary Carlough is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AMACOM. She started at AMA doing direct marketing when AMACOM had a monthly print newsletter, which was like a mini-catalog. Now she manages all of the marketing department, which includes creative, PR, trade sales, and our rights department. Check the AMACOM website for Sales and Marketing Inquiries.

Perceptions of Disability Are Changing and What That Means for the ADA, Part 2

The following is the second part of a guest post from Jim Hasse, the editor of Perfectly Able: How to Attract and Hire Talented People with Disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990. Find Part 1 HERE.

As an employer, you may well conclude that trying to second-guess future applications of Title I (the employment section) of the ADA is chancy.

In fact, during the next two decades, trying to second guess the ADA may be even riskier than it was during the last two decades. Why? Three long-term trends are affecting how we as a society, look at disability, and those new perceptions could have a dramatic effect on how case law further refines the definition of disability.

1. Disability is becoming common place.

Overall, the U.S. population is getting older as the baby boomer generation ages and the average person works (full-time or part-time), beyond the age of 65. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 57 percent of women and 45 percent of men who are 65 years old or older have some type of disability.

Not all of the over-65 workers you eventually retain, rehire, or add to your work force will be disabled, but it’s likely you will be required to address a range of workplace accessibility issues. The question is this: Are you, as a hiring manager and as a company, ready for them?

2. Paradoxically, disability is also disappearing thanks to medical technology.

We’re at the dawn of an age where people and machines are becoming one — not just externally but internally (thanks to nanotechnology). With advances in medical technology, individuals previously thought to be “disabled” are becoming “perfectly able.”

Raymond Kurzweil, author, inventor, and futurist, expects to see these three technologies of the 21st century combine and produce spectacular results: genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics.

In “The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology,” Kurzweil asserts that medical advancements will make it possible for a significant number of his generation (baby boomers) to live long enough for the exponential growth of technology to intersect and surpass the processing of the human brain.

If transcending our biological limitations becomes reality and commonplace, many will be able to compete effectively with the intervention  of technology. Today’s most common definition of disability (a condition which limits one or more of a person’s life activities in comparison to the general population) may become less meaningful.

Kurzweil’s work prompts me to ask: Will baby boomers find themselves in the unique position to show that disability is, indeed, disappearing as a concept? Will they redefine aging and retirement to conform to their own wishes? Will aging become a process in which we accumulate accommodations to continue to refine, use, and share our skills with others well past the traditional retirement age?

We could reach a point where many will need an accommodation to effectively compete in the workplace, enjoy recreation to the fullest, and obtain a meaningful education.

If that’s the case, disability could be disappearing for those of us living in the 21st century. Disability doesn’t matter anymore in terms of having the means to fully participate in society.

3. Disability is being reframed as an asset.

Job candidates who have developed patience through struggle in addressing their vulnerabilities are prime applicants today because they have the attributes that will likely reduce employee turnover and increase productivity.

You’ll find that many job candidates with disabilities have developed the habit of continually stretching themselves so they can live a little bit better with their vulnerabilities.

A job applicant with a disability has had years of experience in harnessing deliberate practice to acquire patience, persistence and resiliency — like a violinist who  started practicing when she was four years old.

Geoff Colvin sums up the power of deliberate practice with an overarching, propelling purpose in his book, “Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else.” He writes:

“…The most important effect of practice in great performers is that it takes them beyond — or, more precisely, around — the limitations most of us think of as critical.”

Colvin pinpoints exactly why it makes good business sense to hire people with disabilities who have developed the motivation to work hard at precisely the things they need to improve so they can contribute to a company’s bottom line.

So, as an employer, what are you to do? How do you avoid being the recipient of a subpoena to answer charges of discrimination while society’s perception of “disability” continues to undergo a fundamental change?

The only answer is to hire the best candidate for an open position in every single case.

Jim Hasse is an Accredited Business Communicator and Global Career Development Facilitator. He was previously senior content developer of eSight Careers Network, the premier social networking website for visually or physically impaired job seekers.

Perceptions of Disability Are Changing and What That Means for the ADA, Part 1

The following is a guest post from Jim Hasse, the editor of Perfectly Able: How to Attract and Hire Talented People with Disabilities.

When it was passed 21 years ago (on July 26, 1990), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) included a definition of disability based on what was stated in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:

“An individual with a disability has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.”

Congress used that definition in the ADA because it seemed to work well in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. But, in 1999 the Supreme Court started to narrow the definition of disability in unexpected ways. Here are just two examples:

In Sutton v. United Airlines, for instance, the court said that when you determine whether an individual has a disability under the ADA, you have to consider the effects of mitigating measures (such as corrective lenses, medications, hearing aids and prosthetic devices) when deciding whether an impairment is substantially limiting.

The Court did one other thing in Sutton. It essentially overturned an old Rehabilitation Act of 1973 case, School Board of Nassau County v. Arline. Arline had broadly viewed the part of the definition of disability that mentions having a “record of” impairment. The Court in Sutton required a more restrictive view of that part of the definition, which practically eliminated it.

In Toyota v. Williams, 2002, the Supreme Court focused on the word “substantially” in the definition of disability, and said that it means “considerably” or “to a large degree.” The Court also narrowed the scope of “major life activity,” stating that it must be something that is of central importance to most people’s daily lives.

Between Sutton and Toyota and other cases, the definition of disability was narrowed to such a degree that most cases became more about whether a person met the definition of disability instead of access or accommodation.

To remedy the situation, Congress passed and President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which became effective on January 1, 2009. It simply attempts to bring the law back to what Congress intended it to be when it passed the ADA in 1990 by outlining nine rules to follow in defining disability.

ADA rulings, however, continue to be handed down through U.S. Supreme Court and lower court decisions. The ADA (and the definition of disability) will be refined indefinitely.

Check back tomorrow for more from Jim Hasse.

Jim Hasse is an Accredited Business Communicator and Global Career Development Facilitator. He was previously senior content developer of eSight Careers Network, the premier social networking website for visually or physically impaired job seekers.

Make Your Own Rules Named One of ALA Booklist’s Top 10 Business Books of 2011

In their July 2011 issue, ALA Booklist‘s Brad Hooper wrote a feature on the Top 10 Business Books: 2011.

We’re excited to share that Make Your Own Rules: A Renegade Guide to Unconventional Success by Wayne Rogers and Josh Young was named one of ALA Booklist’s Top 10 Business Books of 2011.

For over 100 years Booklist magazine has helped more readers find more titles than any other publication. Published by the American Library Association, Booklist magazine delivers over 8,000 recommended-only reviews of books, audiobooks, reference sources, video, and DVD titles each year. Spotlight issues provide coverage on popular genres, topics and themes such as biography, young adult, multicultural literature, graphic novels, romance, sports, and much more. There is full coverage of the prestigious ALA award winners, the annual Editor’s Choice and Top of the List issue, ALA Notables and other “best” lists. There are also interviews, essays, columns–a wealth of useful information and lively discussion. Booklist Online offer the best book reviews for public libraries and school libraries, and the best books to read for your book club, brought to you by the ALA.

The motivation behind this list, as Brad Hooper puts it:

The common question asked at foreign customs is, “Are you visiting our country for business or pleasure?” Enter these outstanding business titles of the past year, all reviewed in Booklist, and the answer to that question is, “Both.”

We’re glad to have our AMACOM title joined by such fantastic works as Bury My Heart at Conference Room B by Stan Slap, The Velocity Manifesto by Scott Klososky, and Wikibrands by Sean Moffitt and Mike Dover.

About Make Your Own Rules:

It’s hardly a secret that the corporate ladder is no longer the path to success it once was. Wayne Rogers—star of the classic TV series M*A*S*H*—has had even more success as a businessman and entrepreneur than as an actor. Applying his own unique viewpoint to a wide range of businesses (a restaurant, a vineyard, a chain of convenience stores, the world of banking, real estate, a film distribution company, and even a famous bridal boutique), the iconoclastic star has steadfastly refused to accept limitations, and boldly forged a path for himself beyond the stifling constraints of the corporate system.

Filled with insights and engaging stories, Make Your Own Rules paints a fascinating portrait of how Rogers excelled precisely because he didn’t have prior experience in each of these businesses…or any preconceived notions of how they should be run. Rogers reveals the keys to his success over the past four decades—lessons that are even more important today. After all, in the current economic climate, learning to be creative, challenge convention, and seize unexpected opportunities is not only liberating—it can make all the difference to success.

Anyone who yearns to succeed without the burdens of corporate culture can thrive outside the establishment. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small business owner, changing careers, or just entering the workforce, Make Your Own Rules delivers the inspiration and guidance you need to climb the ladder of your choice.

About Wayne Rogers and Josh Young:

WAYNE ROGERS aside from being known for his role as Trapper John on the TV series “M*A*S*H”, is an extremely successful entrepreneur in a wide variety of fields, and has served as a financial advisor to actors, rock stars, and businesspeople. He is currently a panelist on Fox Business Channel’s top-rated weekly show “Cashin’ In”.

JOSH YOUNG is a best-selling writer. As an author, he specializes in cowriting books of notable entertainment figures, most recently, Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me with Howie Mandel. As a journalist, Josh has worked for Esquire, George, and LIFE magazines.

Find other AMACOM top-ten list-makers and award-winners.

Author Tips: 12 Things I Look at in a Manuscript

While everything is done on computers nowadays with email, cloud collaboration, and flash drives, we managed to dust off a few printed manuscripts to give you the romantic view of publishing.

The following is a guest post by Senior Development Editor Barry Richardson on what he flags first when reading a submitted manuscript for development.

(1) Proposal: Does the manuscript meet our expectations? Is it the book we thought we were getting? Is it what we contracted for? This includes:

• Does the page count match the contract?
• Does it cover everything mentioned in the proposal?
• Has the content, structure, or focus changed from what was originally proposed?

(2) Writing: Is the manuscript written well? Is it engaging and interesting?

(3) Accessibility: Is the manuscript reader-friendly? Do I understand what the author is saying – whether or not I’m familiar with the topic?

(4) Organization: Is the material set up in a logical way? Does the order of the chapters make sense? Within the chapters, do the topics flow from one to the next in a logical progression?

(5) Introductions and Connectors: Are new chapters or sections introduced properly? Is there connecting material that carries the reader from one section to the next?

(6) Subheads: Are there any subheads to help guide the reader through the material? Are there enough subheads? Too many? Are the existing subheads too long, too short, too complicated, too vague? Do they give away too much of the material to follow?

(7) Repetition: Does the author repeat the same information in different places? Is it word-for-word or merely another way of saying the same thing?

(8) Material Needed: Is there anything missing that seems like it should be included?

(9) Excess Material: Is there material that doesn’t belong? Does the author go off on tangents unrelated to the topic at hand?

(10) Copyediting Issues: If there are specific problems with grammar, spelling, consistency, agreement throughout the manuscript, put these concerns in a note to the copyeditor.

(11) Marketing: How does the book compare to other books on the topic? Does it have a unique feature that will help it sell? Does it cover everything that other books on the topic cover? Is there something missing? Is it timely?

(12) Permissions: Is there anything that would prevent us from publishing it today? Do we have permission for everything quoted in it? Are we waiting for any coauthors/contributors to add material?

Barry Richardson is a Senior Development Editor at AMACOM. Our in-house “book doctor,” he helps improve manuscripts while keeping the author’s voice and expertise–whether it’s heavy-duty editing, reorganization, rewriting, or coaching authors. Prior to joining AMACOM, he worked for 25 years at Prentice Hall (P-H). Visit our website for freelance development inquiries. Find more Author Tips on the AMACOM Books Blog.