Pub101

Our Pub101 for Authors 2026 series concludes with smart steps authors might consider for their newly published works. Join Cheryl Casey (University of Arizona) and Meggie Mapes (University of Kansas) as they share their comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience helping authors promote OER with different audiences, track reader engagement, address sustainability and ongoing maintenance, plan for subsequent editions, and much more. Hosted by Melissa Chim (Excelsior University).

Join Liza Long of the Idaho State Board of Education for an engaging conversation on artificial intelligence and interactive content in open publishing. Hosted by Amanda Larson of The Ohio State University, our most recent session of Pub101 for Authors helped participants explore opportunities to incorporate GenAI,  consider pedagogical objectives when including AI and interactives, gain key insights on how to cite, integrate, and track AI content, and much more.

Our latest session of Pub101 for Authors examines Working in Teams with Michigan State University colleagues, Linda Miles and Rajiv Ranjan. The two discuss common open textbook creation processes, explore the teamwork approach, and consider how a community of practice adds value. They also review tools and workflows, identify early conversations to have with collaborators. and offer insight to help you navigate inevitable challenges, including time constraints, miscommunication, and differences of opinion. Hosted by University of Arkansas' Christine Rickabaugh. 

Join host Melissa Chim of Excelsior University as she welcomes Penn State colleagues Dr. Bryan McGeary, Julie Meyer, Dr. Michael Polgar, and Wade Shumaker for an insightful discussion of OER project management at this week's Pub101 for Authors. You'll learn to define core principles, understand how openness influences planning and workflows, compare and contrast strategies for balancing flexibility and accountability, and apply collaboration techniques to manage multi-stakeholder projects effectively, and much more.

This week's session of Pub101 for Authors delves into the complexities of open publishing, including copyright, licenses, remixes, and fair use. In her presentation, Christine Rickabaugh of the University of Arkansas defines "open" vs. "free to use," outlines the challenges of remixing content, and shares points authors need to know about using third-party tools or images in open textbooks. She also provides helpful resources and practical support for navigating open licenses. Hosted by Jessica McClean of the University of Texas at Arlington.

In this synchronous session of Pub101 for Authors, we welcome speaker Tiffani Tijerina from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Drawing on more than a decade of open education work and two award‑winning open books, Tiffani explores accessibility considerations in open publishing, including updated ADA requirements and tips and tricks for using accessibility checkers. Her insight helps attendees understand why accessibility matters and how to apply accessibility practices throughout their workflows. Cindy Gruwell of the University of West Florida hosts the discussion.

Introduced in 2026, Pub101 for Authors is a free, online orientation to open textbook publishing that complements our openly available curriculum. Colleagues share what they’ve learned so that faculty authors can get started with writing an open textbook. The synchronous experience is open to the extended Open Education Network community. In this inaugural session, Karen Lauritsen, OEN Senior Director, Publishing, introduces the Open Education Network, defines what to expect at Pub101 for Authors, and helps participants begin to consider their capacity for publishing.

To support faculty authors who want to create an open textbook, the Open Education Network (OEN) offers shared publishing infrastructure, a supportive community, and adaptable resources. In that spirit, we’re excited to share the latest addition to our lineup: Pub101 for Authors.

Hosted by Open Education Network’s Karen Lauritsen, the seventh and final session of our 2025 Pub101 series features Ariana Santiago (she/her) of the University of Houston, who discusses items to consider as you wrap up an open textbook project. Don’t miss her insights on finalizing OER, preparing for publication, sharing new OER, paying your staff, assessing your program, and more.

The sixth session of Pub101 in 2025 shares key insights to help you prepare an open publishing Call for Proposal and/or Memorandum of Understanding. Join Karen Bjork of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries and Carla Myers of Miami University Libraries as they offer effective communication tips, content considerations, and recommendations for using these documents to navigate the publishing process. Melissa Chim of Excelsior University hosts today’s session.