Writing Successful Academic Books

by Anthony Haynes

Overview

‘Publish or perish' is a well-established adage in academia. Never has the pressure on academics to publish been greater. Yet the prospect of writing a book can seem daunting, while the business of getting it published may be mystifying. Written by an expert in academic publishing, Writing Successful Academic Books provides a practical guide to both writing and getting published. It covers all stages of academic authorship from developing the initial idea for a book through to post-publication issues, showing how to avoid the common pitfalls and achieve academic and professional success through publication. Full of real life examples, including a sample book proposal, the book covers everything you need to know to build up an authorial career. This is an invaluable guide for academic authors – prospective or established – in all disciplines.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521514989
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/25/2010
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Anthony Haynes is Director of The Professional and Higher Partnership Ltd and a Visiting Professor at Beijing Normal University.

Table of Contents

List of figures ix

List of tables x

List of boxes xi

Foreword Jaan Mikk xiii

Preface xv

Part I Becoming an Author

1 Foundations 3

2 Contexts 15

3 Getting commissioned 28

4 Contracts and agents 41

Part II Writing the Text

5 Processes (I) 57

6 Processes (II) 74

7 Craft 93

8 Dissertations 108

Part III Managing the Project

9 Time 121

10 People 126

11 Next 150

Appendix A Proposal guidelines 156

Appendix B Sample book proposal 158

Appendix C Guide to contracts 163

Notes 165

References 171

Index 174

Editorial Reviews

'Every academic serious about getting published will benefit from reading this succinct yet highly accomplished guide. Brimming with invaluable insights from publishing, as well as containing plenty of practical writing tips and strategies, this book will be indispensable whether you're a first-time author or seasoned pro.' Alexandra Webster, Associate Director, Palgrave

'A very useful and thorough book that will certainly help me and fellow PhD students: the book demystifies publishing of academic books, especially those based on dissertations.' Lisa Mueller, University of Zurich

'Readable, clear and useful, Writing Successful Academic Books is an interesting, accessible and enlightening book for anyone wanting to publish, particularly for academics. In a wonderful position to write such a book, Haynes does it comprehensively, including information and advice that is not common knowledge and often not divulged. A must read for anyone considering publishing an academic book!' Rachel L. Hardy-Holbrook, University of Warwick

'Anthony Haynes, editor and (successful) author, has a refreshing approach to academic writing that includes new ideas and new points of view. The dissertation-to-monograph transition has already been covered in so many similar guides, but Haynes presents ideas on key processes - reducing or omitting, adding, changing and deliberating - that make excellent reading.' Learned Publishing

From the Publisher