Recently, there has been an increase in the need for individuals to collaborate virtually on writing projects. Writing virtually allows individuals to distribute their processes across not only an office space, but across geographic locations, as well.

Virtual Collaborative Writing in the Workplace: Computer-Mediated Communication Technologies and Processes investigates the use of computer-mediated communication technologies, including everything from instant messaging and e-mail to interaction on Web pages, Webcasts, and graphical user interfaces, to facilitate effective interdependent collaboration in writing projects. This book focuses on the type of writing that typically occurs in virtual workplace settings, such as academic institutions, private and for-profit industry, and the government, in which the purpose of the writing is to convey information or argue a position rather than to socialize or entertain. What makes this book stand out from others like it is the fact that it was written collaboratively through the use of Wikis and Google Docs and that it provides a meta-analysis of the development process of the book from conception to completion.

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Reviews & Statements

I will advocate the use of this book to help influence academic program content. This book will be valuable to a wide audience including academics and business professionals. It will serve as a resource for anyone thinking about or currently engaged in a virtual collaborative writing project. From virtual team novices to experts, readers will be able to learn new techniques and apply them to their own situations or environments. I invite you all to get on the bus and enjoy the ride.

– Patrick Waychoff, Process Improvement Manager, HP Enterprise Storage and Servers, Technical Documentation Group

This substantial book not only describes principles, practices, and examples of successful virtual collaborative writing, but also is itself an example of what a dedicated team of geographically dispersed writers with both industry and academic backgrounds, connected through digital technology, can accomplish using virtual collaboration.

– Technical Communication, Vol. 58, No. 4

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Editor/Author Biographies

Beth L. Hewett holds a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America and is a consultant in online communication in educational settings. She is an adjunct Associate Professor with the University of Maryland University College. Beth was an editor for Kairos: Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy for seven years; all of this web-based journal’s interactions are conducted virtually. She also developed an online writing program for Smarthinking, Inc., the country’s leading Web-based learning support service. Beth is the author of The Online Writing Conference: A Guide for Teachers and Tutors (Heinemann Boynton-Cook, forthcoming 2010), co-author of Preparing Educator’s for Online Writing Instruction: Principles and Processes (NCTE, 2004), co-editor of Technology and English Studies: Innovative Professional Paths (Erlbaum, 2005), and author of various journal articles about writing, technology, and rhetoric. She is the national committee chair for the CCCCs Committee for Best Practices in Online Writing Instruction Also a professional writing coach, Beth’s webpage can be accessed at www.defendandpublish.com and she can be emailed at beth.hewett@comcast.net. She is the author of Good Words: Memorializing Through a Eulogy (Grief Illustrated Press, 2009) and is a grief facilitator trainer with the National Catholic Ministry for the Bereaved; she has developed numerous grief-healing workshops, seminars, and retreats.

Charlotte Robidoux holds a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America and specializes in rhetoric, technical communication, and science. Charlotte's doctoral work focused on the role of rhetoric in genetics research. She is a content strategy manager for the Enterprise Storage & Servers division at HP and leads the organization's single-sourcing initiative, overseeing content reuse and the team's content management system. Her interest in collaboration stems from the development of processes for reusing content effectively across products. Because typically writers have been accustomed to working independently, they need best practices for writing collaboratively in virtual settings. Charlotte joined HP in 2000 and has worked in technical communication for over 17 years as an author, editor, and manager. She is a recipient of the Center for Information Development (CIDM) "Rare Bird" award for her work on an HP document tracking database. She began her career in technical communications as a consultant for Washington, DC. firms holding contracts with the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, and others. In addition to writing numerous articles of the CIDM Best Practices newsletter, she is the author of "Rhetorically Structured Content: Developing a Collaborative Single-Sourcing Curriculum" published in Technical Communication Quarterly, co-author of "Is There a Write Way to Collaborate?" published in STC’s Intercom, and co-author of "Streamline Your Path to Metadata" published in The Information Management & Architecture Framework.

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Editorial Advisory Board

Coleen Crow, Aesbus Knowledge Solutions

JoAnn Hackos, Comtech Services, Inc. & Center for Information Development Management, USA

Kathy Haramundanis, Hewlett-Packard Company

Erik Hartman, Hartman Communicatie BV, The Netherlands

TyAnna Herrington, Georgia Tech, USA

David Houlihan, Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Jim Kalmbach, Illinois State University, USA

Mary Laplante, The Gilbane Group, USA

Michelle Orloff, nSight Inc., USA

Stacey Swart, Hewlett-Packard Company

Stuart Selber, Pennsylvania State University, USA

Pat Waychoff, Hewlett-Packard Company

Joanna Baisden, Hewlett-Packard Company

Ann May, Hewlett-Packard Company