The Soap Opera Encyclopedia features commentary, analysis and criticism of "every daytime and prime-time television soap opera broadcast on the three major networks, as well as a selection of syndicated, cable, and foreign efforts.

"[1] It also discusses background, significant storylines and impact of each program, and lists performers and characters.

Published in a time before the internet, the Encyclopedia was a primary source of background information and commentary on soap opera; it and Schemering have been quoted in various articles, books and web pages.

According to the Encyclopedia, Schemering "spent fifteen years collecting memorabilia and information about the soap opera phenomenon" and wrote a syndicated column on the genre.

[2] He was also a regular contributor to The Washington Post Book World and had published film and television articles in The New Republic, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Daily News and other publications.