Here we debunk several of the stubborn myths out there about the academic peer review process and clarify the role of peer review in the publishing process.
Resources for first-book authors
Get holistic support to go from draft to published
Finding the Right Publisher for Your First Book
Research scholarly presses, identify good fits for your first book, and craft targeted pitches based on what publishers are currently seeking.
Crafting a Winning First Book Proposal
Create a winning first book proposal by approaching it as a pitch process aligning your book with publisher goals.
Working Productively with an Editorial Team
Build successful relationships with developmental editors, copyeditors, production editors, and indexers to navigate feedback and manage timelines in the collaborative publishing process.
Navigating Peer Review on Your First Book
Decode reviewer comments, respond strategically to critiques, and revise effectively to ensure the best possible book that both you and your publisher can be proud of.
Publishing in a Series for Your First Book
Understand book series requirements, pitch effectively to series editors, leverage series affiliation for greater visibility and sales, and position your first book within established scholarly conversations.
Marketing Your First Book
Create compelling book descriptions, build your author platform, leverage online and offline marketing tactics, and build lasting networks to ensure your first book makes a big impact.
How to Create Realistic Writing Deadlines
Meeting writing goals requires setting realistic writing deadlines that fit your real life and take into account your commitments, resources, and goals.
Choosing a Press for Your First Book
Choosing a press for your first book can feel intimidating; here’s what to consider so you can find the right fit.
Turning Your Dissertation into a Book
Learn the step-by-step process for revising and turning your dissertation into a book–one that people will actually buy and read.
Responding to Reader Reports: The Details
How to respond to reader reports: deciphering conflicting advice, figuring out which reviewer suggestions to follow, and claiming easy wins.
Responding to Reader Reports: The Big Picture
How to approach reviewer comments on your book or article, including reading generously and deciding which advice to follow.
How to Start a Writing Group (and Why You Should)
Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Academic writers need community support to thrive. Learn how to use a writing group to finish your big writing projects.
Writing a Successful Academic Book Proposal
What makes for a great academic book proposal? Learn what publishers looking for and how to make your proposal stand out from the crowd.
Building a Strong Book Structure
How to build a strong and compelling book structure that ties all your ideas together into a cohesive whole.
Using Social Media to Market Your Book
Social media is a great way to do academic book promotion. Here’s how to create a social media plan that fits your resources, time, and goals for your book.
Building Your Author Platform
How to identify your academic book’s audience and build an author platform that gets your book noticed, purchased, and engaged by that audience.
How to Punch Up Your Academic Writing with Storytelling
Stories make academic research come alive. Here’s how to incorporate more storytelling into your academic book, article, or dissertation.