The upcoming ASEH annual meeting in Chicago will feature exhibits from more than 30 university presses. One of the pleasures of participating in a society's conference as a publisher is watching the attendees' look over, gently handle, and comment on the beauty and utility of the books on display. We hope, of course, that this tangible way of bringing our books to your attention results in sales and interest. However, there are other, very important reasons why as publishers we will attend ASEH Chicago and why you might benefit from our displays. One of these reasons, if made explicit, might help you make the most of an important part of the conference experience: the book exhibit.

As an acquisitions editor, I am often asked what I look for in a book proposal. One way to answer is to list the parts of a proposal, including the "discussion of comparable or competing works." Sometimes authors treat this item as a throw away: surely nothing compares to my book! But the discussion of recent, related titles is, in fact, of tremendous importance, of equivalent value to the editor, or nearly so, as what the book is about. Why? There are countless manuscripts (even interesting, well-written ones), and no editor or house can take on every one of merit that enters the inbox. So a factor we consider when deciding whether to pursue a project is how well it fits our "list," that is, our collection of published titles. The books we have published provide a precedent of topic and style that informs-although it does not determine-what we might do next. The reason for this is that we are in general better able to leverage our experience and reputation, built up with academic and media contacts and review outlets, for example, for those sorts of books we are already known to publish well.

At the book exhibit you have the opportunity to figure out where your book might fit best and why. Look around: With whose books are you in conversation, and whose do you cite? Which new books would your intended readers buy? Is the voice you want to cultivate like these, here? Do you want it to look like those, there? Or carry a price like that? You are more likely to convince an editor to read more if you explain in your cover letter why you're writing to the publisher you've chosen to approach. And your book proposal is more likely to impress if it provides specific reasons why your book would enhance the editor's list. You can learn more about the publishing landscape and come up with those reasons at the conference, as you enjoy a stroll around the exhibit.

Note: As a senior editor at the University of Chicago Press, Karen Darling will participate in the publishing session "How to Pitch Your Book" at ASEH's Chicago conference, Thursday, March 30 at 1:30 p.m.

Mark Hersey has been named the 2017 Breeden Scholar by the Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities at Auburn University. He will spend the spring semester as a scholar-in-residence at Auburn, teaching a course on landscape and identity in the American South.

The Center for Oral History (COH) at the Chemical Heritage Foundation provides training to individuals interested in learning oral history and research interview methodologies. Hosted biannually, the director and the staff of the COH work with scholars and researchers who are planning or have started research that has interviewing as a core component. The Chemical Heritage Foundation has been conducting interviews for over 30 years, and is one of the only institutions in the United States to focus its work on oral histories of scientists.

During this week individuals are introduced to all aspects of the interview process, including general oral history theory and methodology; interviewing techniques and performing mock interviews; legal and ethical issues; transcription practices; archiving; recording equipment and its use; data management; and other relevant topics. Interested participants are encouraged to bring their research ideas to the workshop. While the scope of the training workshop will focus through a STEM lens, this workshop is open to all researchers interested in oral history and preserving the unwritten past.

Our winter training institute will start on January 9, 2017. There is no cost to attend the training workshop, however, registration is required. Please visit www.chemheritage.org/OHtraining for more information or contact: Samantha Blatt at sblatt@chemheritage.org