DISSERTATION-TO-BOOK DEVELOPMENT

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A dissertation is a totally idiosyncratic genre of text. It is often an author’s first book, written before research is complete, ideas are fully formed or connected, and for a very specific audience consisting solely of your committee members. It gets the job done (and, hopefully, even gets you a job) but it is not yet a book most people want to publish or read. Because it’s not supposed to be! That’s okay. But now, perhaps, it’s time to turn it into a book.

I know how hard it is to face the dissertation revision and publication process. You’ve already spent so many years on this project—and now, to rethink and rewrite it? It’s daunting. And maybe even painful. I know how to help support and encourage you through the process and can help you publish a first book you’re proud of.

We will work together to turn your dissertation into a book that people want to read. We will take the core idea, the part you really care about—and what publishers and your field will care about—and reshape your book around that. And we will work on the argument, structure, and the larger thinking about how to position your book in your field and the academic publishing landscape.

This is roughly how the process works:

  • I send you a series of questions about your dissertation, research, and goals to complete and return to me.

  • We have a conversation — by phone or in person — so that I know as much as possible about what you want from this process and for your book, and to decide on a scope of work.

  • I read your dissertation and make edits and notes about how I think it can be reshaped and revised, then send you back a marked draft and notes to review.

  • We have a conversation in which we map out a revised outline and a writing plan. This is the best part, it is when we reach that fantastic breakthrough moment when the book’s true shape emerges and begins to take shape in your voice. This might be the end of this phase of work, or, I can continue to work with you as you revise your manuscript and write your book proposal.

Overall, this process is flexible and best treated as a collaboration in which we are working toward a common goal: A published book.

For more information about my process and rates, please contact me.

 
 

Image: Peabody Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore