This Year I Will

It’s the season of resolutions. We may not tell anyone our plans for the new year, but the media knows that we’re all out here trying to eat healthier, exercise more, get things organized, and generally improve ourselves and the world around us. To kick off 2008, I thought I’d share a few of my professional resolutions for the year (along with some related resources to get started with, in case we happen to share goals for 2008):

• Respond to more calls for papers and manuscripts. In 2007, I had a few short articles published, but the longer essay still eludes me. It’s time to set my sights on a chapter for an edited collection or a full-length journal article. There are lots of NCTE journals out there, and their editors are always looking for more submissions:
  
  
  • Write for Language Arts
  • Write for Talking Points
  • Write for Voices from the Middle
  • Write for English Journal
  • Write for Classroom Notes Plus
  • Write for College English
  • Write for Teaching English in the Two-Year College
  • Write for College Composition and Communication
  • Write for English Leadership Quarterly
  • Write for English Education
  • Write for Research in the Teaching of English
    
    
• Get more involved in my local affiliate. There are local meetings and publishing opportunities—as well as chances to network with other teachers. I need to get connected!
  
  
• Send in some convention proposals. There are several conventions and smaller conference meetings that I like to attend. This year I need to make sure that I get my proposals in on time so that I can not only attend but present. In fact, proposals for NCTE’s Annual Convention are due online by January 17. I need to get started on that one!
  
  

Okay, I have a lot of work to do in the coming year. There's an English Journal CFP due on January 15, and I can't forget that convention proposal. Time for me to get writing! And if you have professional New Year’s resolutions to share, please post a comment.