(Advice I wish I had when I began writing my first book!)
Resources for Developing Your Academic Book
From my presentation: “A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Developing Your Academic Book,” University of Colorado, Boulder, Zoom, April 22nd, 2021
• The Doctor Is In: Advice and mentorship pop-ups online & at conferences
https://doctorisinblog.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @TheDoctorisIn8
Founded and operated by Dr. Rebecca Shapiro (CUNY), TDII is focused on eighteenth-century studies, but is seeking to expand its ambit, so send questions, suggestions, and requests via Tweets or DMs to its Twitter handle. It offers nuggets of advice on Twitter, and hosts drop-in sessions at conferences in which those seeking advice at any career level can request help from professors who have volunteered. For example, at one conference, a graduate student going on the market talked about their plans with one professor, while, elsewhere in the conference room, a beginning assistant professor showed their proposal to two full professors. The organization is anti-racist in perspective.
• Dr. Badia Ahad, “How to Craft and Submit a Winning Book Proposal in Four Weeks” (webinar), National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
https://www.facultydiversity.org/webinars/bookproposal2019wk4
Twitter: @BadiaAhad
For those who prefer an audiovisual format, Dr. Ahad walks you through her workflow for preparing materials in a streamlined process. Note: Unlike the other materials listed—all of which are available online for free—this webinar is only available to members of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. I’m including it here because many colleges and universities are institutional members. Check whether your school is a member—if so, you can access the NCFDD webinars for free.
• Dr. A.J. Blechner, “Finding Public Domain & Creative Commons Media”
https://guides.library.harvard.edu/Finding_Images
(h/t Bethany Qualls: @Bethany_Qualls)
If you need to obtain image permissions for your book, the earlier you begin, the better. Refer to this guide from a Harvard Law School librarian for a primer.
• Dr. Karen Kelsky, “How to Write an Academic Book Proposal,” July 5, 2015
https://theprofessorisin.com/2015/07/02/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
Twitter: @ProfessorIsIn
Two of my favorite aspects of Dr. Kelsky’s advice: 1) She doesn’t sugarcoat or offer reassuring yet illusory bromides—instead, she tells you what you need to hear. 2) She gets specific. In this blog post, she goes through each of the elements of a book proposal and cuts through the fluff I’ve seen in other books to explain what presses prioritize. Read the comments, too, as they include comments and situations that may be relevant to you.
• Dr. James Mulholland, “What I've Learned about Publishing a Book,” Journal of Scholarly Publishing 45, no. 3 (April 2014): 211-236
(h/t Dr. Dave Alff: @AlffDave)
From the abstract:
“In this essay, I draw from my own experience of publishing a title with an academic press to offer practical as well as theoretical reflections on how to select a publisher, write a book proposal, submit a manuscript, respond to readers’ reports, think about copy-editing and proofreading, design a book jacket, and market a book after its physical publication".”
• Dr. Laura Portwood-Stacer, “A Template for Your Response to Reader Reports,” Manuscript Works newsletter
This newsletter post balances concision with specificity (can you tell that I think specific advice is what separates the wheat from the chaff of the Academic Writing Advice non-industrial complex?). Once you’ve received feedback from readers, it can feel like the intimidating task of climbing Mount Everest looms before you. Dr. Portwood-Stacer breaks it down into manageable chunks. To access her newsletter, sign up with your email address.
• “Junior Prof” (pseud.), “Asking the Editors” series, Inside Higher Ed, Sept. 11, 19, and 25, 2019
This three-part series offers some of the best, most specific yet succinct advice I’ve seen on preparing an academic book proposal—especially because it is based on conversations with two university press editors, including an editor from Duke University Press.
o Part One: Recommended readings; prior publications and fit with a publisher; and timing of the book proposal
o Part Two: Finding the right fit; contacting editors; avoiding blunders; materials to bring to meetings with editors; and being mindful of editors’ quirks
o Part Three: Social media; the (un)importance of institutional prestige; and how to avoid being dropped by a publisher
• Dr. Ainissa Ramirez, author’s report on The Alchemy of Us (MIT Press), April 8, 2020
https://www.nasw.org/member_article/ainissa-ramirez-alchemy-us
It would be helpful to see more blog posts and articles similar to this one: a first-person account of the path to publishing a first book, including how the author overcame obstacles faced along the way.
Although I can’t vouch for this company, as I am not a client, you can visit their site if you are looking for professional editing for your project.
• Dr. Leslie K. Wang, “Demystifying Academic Book Writing and Publishing”
One of the most generous and thorough sources available on the road to publishing an academic book—all in a succinct format. Take a look at Dr. Wang’s professional Web site, too: it is a great example of a well-designed presentation of the career portfolio of a faculty member. She is also available for career coaching.