Finding tech comm books on the shelves (was Final Note: Wiley. . .)

[Jill Burgchardt <jburgcha -at- PESTILENCE -dot- ITC -dot- NRCS -dot- USDA -dot- GOV>]

Karen Schriver noted:

        bookstores being so darn conservative never warmed up to the idea of a
        shelf devoted to technical communication

and
        that novices to our field and even the person with just a passing
        interest in our field will undoubtedly miss many good
        books they would otherwise buy

When I buy a book, I like to pick it up in my hands, scan through it, and check
out the index. I also like to compare a book side by side with its competitors.
It bugs me that I have little opportunity to browse through tech comm books.
Even if I get a list of books I want to compare, local stores and the library
frequently don't stock them. (Only those who know they exist ask for them.)

Has anyone successfully campaigned their local bookstores to devote a shelf to
technical communication? If so, what tactic did you use to persuade them? I've
tried without success. In fact, I've taken in the tech writing book list so
they'd have an idea of what should go on the list. I know I'm not the only tech
writer in this town to try that either, because I got the idea from someone
else. (I thought they might be persuaded by multiple requests.)

The upshot is that I usually buy books sight unseen based on recommendations
from this list. What other solutions have people found for the lack of browsing
access for books in our field?

My daughter attended a singing competition Saturday. Two music stores had booths
there selling sheet music. Although I've seen software vendors at STC
conferences, I've never seen book vendors (I've only been to regional, not
national).  Has anyone tried putting together a book fair through their local
STC?

Anyone have other ideas?


Jill Burgchardt
jburgchardt -at- pestilence -dot- itc -dot- nrcs -dot- usda -dot- gov

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