Final Portfolio

Susan Van Dusen

Publishing Inside Out
RHET 5347

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Reflective Essay .. 3

Book Proposal . 6
Publisher
Book Title and Subtitle
Hook
Description
Target Audience
Survey of Related Titles
Brief Outline
Special Features
About the Author

Table of Contents .. 11

Chapter Outline 12

Development & Design . 13
The Story in a Nutshell
The Story in More Detail
General Nature and Intended Market
Design Specifications
Basic Page Layout
Color Palette
Typographic Elements

Cover Design Concept . 15

Book Marketing Plan 16
Marketing Story
Market Research
Social Media
Contact Channels
Media Venues

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Reflective Essay l lll
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Publishing a book was never high on my priority list. Working as a writer and editor
for more than 20 years, the last thing I wanted to do was go home and write some more.
However, this class has opened my eyes to the possibility that someday I might be able to
venture past feature stories and into the book realm.

Prior to this class, I have virtually no knowledge of how the book industry operated.
I didnt know the roles of various editors or how they interacted with the author and/or
each other. I had no idea how a writer would go about selecting an appropriate publishing
house or succeed in getting his or her foot in the door. And I definitely thought self
publishing was only for people who couldnt make it in the real world of publishing.

So, I had a lot to learn.

As soon as we started studying the industry, I could visualize myself working there.
Book publishing might have actually been a career path for me years ago, had Little Rock
offered any opportunities in the field. Instead I went the public relations route, with a
detour into magazine publishing, and then back to public relations. I think, though, I would
have really enjoyed a stint as a development editor.

While I am very comfortable as a writer, editing is more of a challenge. This is

probably because I am a self-taught editor who was expected to learn on the job. To me, the
hardest part of editing is helping a writer maintain his own voice, while also incorporating
changes you know would improve the copy. I think thats why development editing appeals
to me; its an area where I see my own untapped potential.

In terms of the book proposal, I have happy with the end result. I actually knew very
little about protest music and selected this topic based on recollections of one of my
favorite undergraduate courses and a lack of other ideas. I had to do pretty extensive
research just to get enough background knowledge to come up a table of contents.
Fortunately, there is ample information available, most of which I found to be very

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interesting. I enjoyed listening to the songs, especially ones from the early 20th century
written in support of labor rights.

I was able to draw on my magazine publishing experience to develop the design

concepts. I can envision the book coming together with a vibrant mix of art and text that
draws the reader into the unique aspects of each era.

As far as the books content goes, I decided my original idea of focusing on one song
and songwriter per social movement wouldnt work very well. If I were to write this book, I
think that idea would be more limiting than beneficial to the final product. I shifted along
the way to using one song to introduce the era and expanding the chapters to incorporate
additional songs, songwriters and their influence on the social movements. I do think,
though, that publishing the lyrics to a representative song or songs for each era would be
key to communicating the message of this book.

I am very pleased with my chapter titles, which incorporate song titles that capture
the essence of each social movement. Im also very satisfied with my cover design. I would
love to be a skilled graphic artist, but havent had any real training. (I look forward to
taking the Document Design course in the near future.)

However, I do recognize good design when I see it and can sometimes develop a
successful (albeit it simple) design through trial and error. I was fortunate to find an image
that perfectly represented both protest and music, so the cover design came together very
easily.

I was very impressed with every element of this course. The use of both videos and
chapters made all of the concepts accessible and easy to understand. I really appreciated
the fact that each section built upon the previous section, ultimately culminating in the final
book proposal. This is a very effective teaching method and gave me many tangible, real-
world ideas and skills.

I also appreciated the feedback I received. As I said, Ive been a writer for a long
time, and there comes a point when people stop commenting on your writing ability. I will
never forget years ago in my magazine publishing days when one reader said she

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clipped my column to hang on her bulletin board and another reader commented that my
story made her cry. Public relations writing doesnt get that sort of reaction, and that
validation is something Ive missed.

My ultimate goal after finishing this masters program is to begin a new career as an
online writing professor. Having the chance to review my fellow classmates work gave me
a taste of what I would encounter in working with undergraduate writing students. It
offered a valuable chance to look critically at student writing, develop techniques to
analyze assignments, and give constructive feedback. That was all an unexpected bonus to
a wonderful class experience.

Moving forward, I intend to use the skills from this class either to develop a book
proposal or, more likely, pursue the possibility of dissertation that could be reworked into
a proposal at a later time. As I mentioned earlier, I had a hard time coming up with a topic
early in the semester. About a month into the class, I had an epiphany and realized the topic
I wish I had used for this proposal. My only regret from this course is that I didnt think of
this topic earlier, so I could have focused my energy on it this semester and been ahead of
the game. At least I now feel confident to move forward with this idea in the future.

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Book Proposal l lll llll llll llll llll llll llll

Publisher
The University of Minnesota Press is a university press with an international reputation for
publishing work that is innovative and intellectually challenging. They specialize in books
related to humanities and social sciences, specifically addressing human rights issues and
topics related to oppression around the world.

This publisher is a good fit for my proposal due to its obvious interest in the societal impact
of minority groups and subcultures. Their outlook is progressive and they appear to seek
out books that address topics about cultural change and identity. A book on how protest
music influenced generations would fit well in this publishers scope.

Title and Subtitle

Notes of Change: How Protest Songs Enliven, Empower and Encourage Social Movements

Hook
Protest songs have the power to transcend and solidify pivotal moments in history.

Description
Music has power. Whether it's a melody sparking a long-forgotten memory or a lyric
evoking a tender emotion, music has the ability to touch people like no other medium. With
no regard for race, gender, ethnicity or age, music is the ideal source to bear messages of
protest and societal change that impact people from all walks of life.

While some argue that the earliest protest song reaches as far back as the English Peasants
Revolt of 1381, there is no dispute that 17th century songwriters used their influence to
rally forces for the Diggers movement, which promoted the link between humans and
nature.

Since then, songwriters have continued to use their medium to question and challenge
political and societal norms. These songs of protest, which hit their pinnacle in the Vietnam
era, offer a unique insight into pivotal moments in time, when society was at a turning
point, politics were volatile, and oppressed groups sought the same rights and privileges of
their fellow citizens.

From negro spirituals echoing injustice through churches walls to lyrics mourning lives
lost in war, protest songs have a rich and diverse history and play a special role in how
messages of change are expressed and communicated. Notes of Change: How Protest Songs
Enliven, Empower and Encourage Social Movements examines selected protest songs in the

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context of their origin and looks at how their lyrics reflect the mood and frame of mind of
social movement pioneers.

Readers will get a glimpse into the lives of songwriting icons such as Woody Guthrie and
Bob Dylan, along with others like Ewan MacColl and Ani DiFranco, while also learning the
elements of successful protest songs and how these songs were used -- and sometimes
reused -- to unite groups and influence generations.

Protest songs remain an important part of our 21st century musical landscape, although
their influence and audience have changed with the times. Notes of Change not only looks at
how todays songwriters tackle war and political injustice -- alongside subjects like
womens rights and corporate greed -- but also how songwriters use new technologies and
methods to distribute their music to the people.

Target Audience
Although the details change over time, humans continue to struggle with the same
challenges we have faced for centuries -- peace, equality and power, just to name a few.
Writers of protest songs take their personal view of these topics and make them accessible
to all people -- from the poorest to the most affluent and from the illiterate to the most
educated.

Although its primary audience are history buffs and music enthusiasts, Notes of Change will
strike a chord with anyone seeking a deeper understanding of protest movements and the
role songwriters play in unifying groups and challenging cultural norms. Students of
communications, psychology and sociology also will find valuable information about how
music influences individuals and culture and how social movements have used music as a
mechanism to reach their audience.

Survey of Related Titles

33 Revolutions per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, from Billie Holiday to Green Day by
Dorian Lynskey
33 Revolutions per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, from Billie Holiday to Green Day
highlights 33 protest songs, some highly recognizable and others less well known. From a
music critics perspective, the author shows how the songs inspire hope, stir anger and
incite action through brief histories of the songs and songwriters; overviews of the political
landscape; and comparisons to other contemporary music.
While Dorian Lynskeys book is a critical review of 33 protest songs from America and
other countries, Notes of Change will focus on songs and songwriters in selected social
movements to open the lens on how citizens were ripe for change at that particular
moment in time. Rather than serving as a critique of the song itself, this book will examine
it in a larger context, including its origin, the songwriters intention, and how it became
identified with a particular movement.

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The Art of Protest: Culture and Activism from the Civil Rights Movement to the Streets of
Seattle by T.V. Read

The Art of Protest: Culture and Activism from the Civil Rights Movement to the Streets of
Seattle is a broad overview of social movements and the distinctive cultural forms that
helped shape them. Beginning with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, each chapter
focuses on a significant movement and how its members used specific art forms to mobilize
and influence change. From the murals of the Chicano Movement and music of the Vietnam
War era to the graphic arts of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, author T.V. Read examines
how different art forms were successfully used by activists to relay their messages and
promote action.
The Art of Protest was called a bird's eye view into major social movements by
Sociological Inquiry academic journal. Notes of Change takes a more focused approach by
zeroing in on songs and songwriters who helped define social activism. From slaverys
spirituals to 21st century war protest songs, readers will understand the origins of the
songs, the motivation behind the lyrics, and how the musicians used their voice to speak
out against injustice.

Playing for Change: Music and Musicians in the Service of Social Movements by Rob
Rosenthal and Richard Flacks
In Playing for Change: Music and Musicians in the Service of Social Movements, authors Rob
Rosenthal and Richard Flacks take a comprehensive look at how music from the past
century has played an integral part in social movements in the United States and beyond.
Lyrical analysis, case studies and Interviews with songwriters such as Pete Seeger and Tom
Morello of Rage Against the Machine solidify this books prominence as an insightful source
on musics role in social activism.

Playing for Change belongs in the library of anyone seeking a thorough understanding of
musics influence on social change. Notes of Change uses a different approach by focusing
on songs symbolic to specific time of social change, from slavery to the Labor Movement to
the Vietnam War. It will examine the songs origin, how it reflects the larger context of
society at that given moment, and the impact it had on other musicians and followers of the
social movement as a whole.

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Brief Outline
Introduction
Elements of protest songs
Where/how they originated
Melody, lyrics and instrumentation
Overview of social movements
Historical relevance of protest songs

Great Depression
To include: Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and the Almanac Singers; Strange Fruit by Abel
Meeropol (performed by Billie Holiday)

Nuclear Disarmament
To include: H-Bombs Thunder by John Brunner; songs of Ewan MacColl; Frankie Goes to
Hollywood

War
To include multiple songs from: Civil War (Hutchinson Family Singers and negro
spirituals); World War I (I Didnt Raise My Boy to be a Soldier); Vietnam (Blowin in the
Wind by Bob Dylan and Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival, among others);
Iraq (When the President Talks to God by Bright Eyes)

Racial Discrimination/Civil Rights

To include: We Shall Overcome and Only a Pawn in their Game by Bob Dylan

Environmental Issues
To include: Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell and Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) by
Marvin Gaye

Womens Rights
To include: Suffrage Song by Julia Ward Howe, Daughters of Freedom by George
Cooper; Respect by Otis Redding (performed by Aretha Franklin)

Anti-Establishment
To include: 1970s Punk; Ani DiFranco; Green Day, Dixie Chicks and other anti-George W.
Bush sentiment

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Special Features
To draw the reader more deeply into the story, Notes of Change will include photos of
protest movements and the songwriters who helped define them, as well as other images
that illustrate the era. When possible, lyrics will be included to give readers a full
understanding of how the songwriters words describe and challenge the political
landscape.

About the Author

While rocking her infant daughters to sleep with the soothing melodies of Blowin in the
Wind and If I Had a Hammer, Susan Van Dusen developed an appreciation of protest
music that evoked the world she envisioned for them -- a world of peace, love and equality.
A professional writer and editor for more than 20 years, she is working toward a masters
degree in Professional and Technical Writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In
her free time, she enjoys yoga, travel and curling up on the couch with her dachshund.

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Table of Contents l lll llll llll llll llll llll llll

List of Songs
Preface
Acknowledgements

Introduction: Songs as Signs of Protest

Part I - In Support of the Working Man

1. Which Side are You On?: The Almanac Singers, Joe Glazer and the Pro-
Labor Movement
2. Union Town: 21st Century Working Class Resurgence

Part II - Equality for All

3. We Shall Overcome: Racial Equality from Slavery to Civil Rights
4. Respect: Womens Rights Through the Ages
5. Radical: The Fight for Gay Rights

Part III - The World is our Home

6. Diggers Song: The Human-Earth Connection
7. Big Yellow Taxi: Protecting the Environment

Part IV - War and Peace

9. The Slaves Appeal: Civil War
10. I Didnt Raise My Boy to be a Soldier: The World Wars
11. Masters of War: Vietnam
12. H-Bombs Thunder: Nuclear Disarmament
13. When the President Talks to God: Anti-George W. Bush Sentiment

Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

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Chapter Outline l lll llll llll llll llll llll
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The name of each chapter contains a song title representing the essence of the protest
movement highlighted in that chapter. Each chapter then begins with the lyrics of that
song. The chapters move into an explanation of the protest movement, including its
beginnings, key players, major events and time frame. From there, the chapter highlights
some of the musicians and songs that shaped the movement and how their role influenced
the course of the movement and it followers.

Outline of Chapter 1: Which Side are You On?: The Almanac Singers, Joe Glazer and the Pro-
Labor Movement of the Early to Mid 20th Century

I. Lyrics of "Which Side are You On?" by the Almanac Singers

II. Chapter Intro

III. The Pro-Labor Movement

A. The state of labor unions in the early to mid 20th century
i. The Great Depression
ii. National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) of 1935
iii. Role of the American Communist Party

III. The Almanac Singers

A. Formation of the group
B. Role of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger
C. Political stance
D. Influence of their music

IV. Joe Glazer

A. Role as "Labor's Troubadour"
B. Political stance
C. Songs of Joe Hill
C. Influence of his music

V. Conclusion

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Development & Design l lll llll llll llll llll llll
Length: 200 pages

Trim size: 7.5x10

The story in a nutshell

Protest songs have the power to transcend and solidify pivotal moments in history.

The story in more detail

Music has power. Whether it's a melody sparking a long-forgotten memory or a lyric
evoking a tender emotion, music has the ability to touch people like no other medium. With
no regard for race, gender, ethnicity or age, music is the ideal source to bear messages of
protest and societal change that impact people from all walks of life.

While some argue that the earliest protest song reaches as far back as the English Peasants
Revolt of 1381, there is no dispute that 17th century songwriters used their influence to
rally forces for the Diggers movement, which promoted the link between humans and
nature.

Since then, songwriters have continued to use their medium to question and challenge
political and societal norms. These songs of protest, which hit their pinnacle in the Vietnam
era, offer a unique insight into pivotal moments in time, when society was at a turning
point, politics were volatile, and oppressed groups sought the same rights and privileges of
their fellow citizens.

Notes of Change: How Protest Songs Enliven, Empower and Encourage Social Movements
examines selected protest songs in the context of their origin and looks at how their lyrics
reflect the mood and frame of mind of social movement pioneers.

Readers will get a glimpse into the lives of songwriting icons such as Woody Guthrie and
Bob Dylan, along with others like Ewan MacColl and Ani DiFranco, while also learning the
elements of successful protest songs and how these songs were used -- and sometimes
reused -- to unite groups and influence generations.

General Nature and Intended Market

Notes of Change will explore various social movements in the context of the music
that helped define them.

One song will be used to represent each social movement. The songs lyrics and
background information on the musician/songwriter will provide a backdrop for
how each movement impacted society.

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 The intended audience includes history buffs, people interested in the dynamics and
impact of protest movements, and music enthusiasts.

Design Specifications

People involved in protest movements do not adhere to societal standards. This book
should exhibit that same feel, with each chapter immersing the reader in that era and
culture, whether it is the flower-power hippie vibe of the 1960s or the working-class
stoicism of early 20th-century labor unions.

Each chapter should tell the story of that particular movement through large photos and
illustrations representative of that era. Art shouldnt be limited to boxes; it should flow
with the text and become an integral part of the story.

Each chapter begins with the lyrics of a song representing that movement. The lyrics
should be designed consistently from chapter to chapter and include a photo of its musician
or songwriter. This would preferably be a performance or casual photo, rather than a
formal portrait.

Basic Page Layout

This book primarily uses a two-column design but can vary when the art dictates. Text
should work with art for a cohesive design, so art that stretches diagonally across a page,
for example, might work best with one-column text. Sidebars will be used to focus on
specific elements within the story and may or may not have art accompanying them.
Sidebars should have a consistent design throughout the book.

Color Palette

One or two colors should be used throughout the book in elements such as headers and
sidebars to provide cohesion. However, each chapter should be highlighted with colors
representative of that era. For example, the chapter on labor unions of the early 20th
century should primarily be black and gray, as that time in history is primarily
remembered through black and white photos of workers and labor unions. On the other
hand, the chapter on gay rights should include bright colors resembling the rainbow flag.

Photos should be either color or black and white, depending on which is most appropriate
to that time period. Art, such as a ring of daisies for the Vietnam era or a battleship for the
World Wars, can be cut out and placed with the text flowing around it. Art can be full half-
page, full-page or flow across a spread. It shouldnt be limited to a column width.

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Typographic Elements

Because the art will be dominant through the book, the headings and fonts should remain
simple but prominent. A san serif font such as Avenir or Geneva should be chosen for the
display fonts, with a serif font such as Book Antiqua or Georgia for basal copy.
Each chapter will have a title, with subheadings throughout the basal copy and on the
sidebars.

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Marketing Plan l lll
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Marketing Story

Each generation defines its own call to arms. From protests by blue-collar workers in the
early 20th century to demonstrations by the LGBT community 100 years later, social
movements raise the voices of oppressed groups hungry for equality. In turn, they define
moments in time and lock them into our nations collective memory.
While every social movement has its own distinct message and following, one element
connects them all: Music. But what gives music the power to unite groups and define belief
systems? How does a songwriter capture the feelings of a generation and wrap it into lyrics
that ring true even decades later?

In Notes of Change, readers will be delve into the elements of protest songs, how they
originate and why they become messages of hope and equality. By focusing on one protest
song per movement, readers will get an in-depth look at the emotions of that era and how
songwriters captured the essence of those feelings in words and music. From iconic names
like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan to up-and-coming protest songwriters like Catie Curtis,
Notes of Change will transport readers from era to era as they witness musical history in
the making. Readers will come away with an appreciation both of the importance of protest
movements and the power of music to transcend and solidify their place in our past and
future.

Market Research

Readers of competing titles are looking for information on the historical significance of
protest songs and how they inspire and motivate listeners. They also want to understand
the history behind social movements and what make music an appropriate vehicle to
communicate messages of change.

Notes of Change will include this information through both words and photos relevant to
each movement. Rather than chronologically, it will group movements based on big-picture
concepts such as war, equality, environmentalism and labor rights, showing that major
issues dominate our culture in many different forms and across many generations. It also
will focus on one song and songwriter per movement to draw out the important messages
relayed through that persons lyrics and perspective.
The books concept will be relayed to readers in the marketing copy on Amazon and other
websites, on the book jacket and through social media marketing efforts.
Social Media

To promote Notes of Change, I will set up a website, Twitter and Instagram accounts, and a
Facebook page all based on a protest movement and music history timeline. The social
media posts will highlight important moments in social movements and protest music

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through on-this-day-in-history posts, while the website will have more detailed
information about the movements and musicians who helped define them.
As each on-this-day-in-history post is added to social media, it also will be added to the
timeline on the website, making it a place where people can see a comprehensive timeline
of events in the making. Each post will drive readers to the website to learn more and will
tag relevant songwriters in hopes of retweets or shares.
I also will contact bloggers who focus on music history and/or protest movements and ask
them to promote both my social media sites and the book.

Contact Channels

I will sell this book at music and art festivals. I also will contact up-and-coming indie and
protest musicians to ask if they will sell the books at their shows, giving them a small
percentage of the proceeds. For paid advertising, I will purchase online ads on indie
newspaper websites in large metropolitan areas.

Media Venues

I would seek out publicity or partnerships with the following media venues:
Reviews or advertising in magazine like fRoots (folk, roots and world music) or
Rolling Stone
Partnerships to promote or sell the book with organizations such as the National
Association for Music Educators and the American Musicology Society
Online partnership with Thisdayinmusic.com to cross-promote sites by sharing
important dates in music history
Contact protest songwriters to provide reviews of the book to include on social
media, the book jacket and the website.

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