From Inspiration to Publication: Research Resources

In best-case scenarios, research sparks the imagination and the emotions.  It is the soul of historical fiction and, as incorporated by talented authors, can serve to immerse readers in a particular time and place.  The heart of research remains, of course, the library.  This presentation covers the difference between primary and secondary sources, the value of each, and techniques for finding them in library catalogs and directories of manuscript collections. The handout provided to attendees includes lists of history-related research databases available through many research libraries, some of which are available via individual subscription (such as JSTOR); tips for locating free digitized primary sources; and suggestions for contacting academics with research-related questions.