Paul Mundy Writeshops to produce information materials Getting information out of heads and onto paper… in a form that normal mortals can understand

Writeshops Intensive 3 days–2 weeks 20–40 participants  Scientists, extension, NGOs, indigenous specialists, farmers, teachers…  Wide range of expertise and interests

Writeshop purpose To produce info materials on specific theme  40+ writeshops on different themes  Agroforestry  Ethnoveterinary medicine  Sustainable agriculture  Public awareness? Simplify science for users Capacity building for national institutions/NGOs Document experiences & best practices

Some publications produced through writeshops

Sample topic Chapters 5-7 pages long Simple but attractive design Start with human- interest story Illustration

Sample topic Box for info that does not fit well into main text Frequent headings, short paragraphs Bulleted lists Easy-to-read, journalistic style

Sample page Ethnoveterinary medicine in Asia Short chapters (“topics”) Clear, concise, easy to understand Standard format Illustrations

Writeshop process Preparation Writeshop Final revisions Publish

Writeshop process 1 Preparation Identify broad theme Identify topics Select resource persons Assign topics Prepare logistics

Writeshop process 2 Draft 1 Present Critique Edit Draw Desktop publishing Draft 3 Comments Draft 2 Present Critique Revise Redraw Desktop publishing

Writeshop process 3 Final revisions  Desktop publishing Publish  Print  Distribute  Use Evaluate, follow-up

Writeshop advantages Fast, efficient, flexible  200 page book in 2 weeks Translates science into practice  Easy to understand, illustrations Involves multiple stakeholders  Scientists, extension, NGOs, farmers, audience members  Wide distribution through multiple institutions Builds capacity  Helps people write  Promotes networking

Flexibility Can adapt structure as you go along  Add or combine chapters Flexible timetable  Coordinating committee meeting in evening to discuss next day Use small groups to brainstorm ideas Assign writing tasks to individuals or teams Individual participants can come and go  But need a core of participants all the time

Flexibility Can add other activities  Field trip  Stakeholder discussion forum  Project planning session  Training course Can piggyback on other activities  Conference  Planning sessions

Size of writeshop Big Biodiversity of the W Ghats, India  100+ participants  100+ short manuscripts  2 weeks Medium Trading up  Ca. 40 participants  8 chapters  15 cases  300 pages

Size of writeshop Medium Agricultura sostenible in Perú y Bolivia  8 chapters  16 cases  238 pages  8 days Small Conservation agriculture in Lesotho  6 participants  8 pages  1 day

Type of product Book Loose-leaf kit Training materials Policy brief Project proposal Extension booklets Brochures Policy?

Contents of book Cases + analysis  Trading up How-to manual  Conservation agriculture Set of stories  Culture and change Reference book  Field manual of camel diseases

Writeshop staff Writeshop coordinator Facilitators Editors Artists Computers, secretarial Interpreters

Writeshop coordinator Focuses on content Specialist in subject Conceptualizes book Develops framework Guides choice of topics and authors Develops sample chapter

Facilitator Guides “front of house” activities Guides and manages discussions Ensures focus on subject Guides traffic When participants understand process, they can take over facilitation

Editor(s) Number of editors depends on number and complexity of manuscripts Focuses on message in manuscript Works with authors to revise manuscript 3 modes of editing  Editor revises manuscript, then checks with author  Editor discusses with author, then author revises  Editor and author revise manuscript together Editor finalizes manuscript after writeshop