PIDT: Publishing panel

Jim Lockard
Tim Ragan
Annette Lamb
Peg Ertmer

Top 10 reasons to write a book

1. Decide why you want to write a book
   
   1. Money
   2. Tenure
      
      1. Colleagues are more likely to value articles
      2. Time difference in writing a book
   3. Self
      
      1. Ego
   4. For the field
      
      1. If you feel there is a need
      2. Primary reason 
2. Face the realities of book publishing
   
   1. Should be for the need
   2. Money is variable 
   3. Know your own institution
   4. Time commitments are horrendous
3. Decide if the book is really needed
   1. For your course and for other courses
   2. The books may be out there but not exactly fit your need
   3. You have to compete
   4. What are the other institutions actually using for books?
   5. Think about the long-term impact of your book
4. Rally support
   
   1. Staff
   2. Colleagues
   3. Department heads / Chairs
   4. Secretary
5. Decide who to drag along
   
   1. Co-editors
   2. Co-authors
   3. Make sure the work ethic is the same
   4. Write chapters for books
6. Take the first step
   
   1. Get the process rolling
   2. Letter of intent
   3. Prospectus
   4. Sample chapters
   5. Market analyses
   6. Analyses of competition
   7. Find a publisher
      
      1. Writers digest
      2. Talk to people at conferences - publishers and editors
      3. You might be approached by a publisher
      4. Self-publish
         
         1. You need an excellent professional editor
      5. You can send a prospectus to multiple publishers at the same time
      6. Write your proposal in their style
   8. Negotiate a contract
      
      1. Royalties
      2. Who does what
         
         1. Indexing
         2. Permissions
      3. Read the contract carefully
         
         1. Exclusive rights to books competing
         2. Subsequent books and following editions
         3. Copyright
      4. Illustrations
         
         1. Who is going to do them and pay for them?
   9. Make time for writing
      1. At least a year of writing time
      2. 2 years of production time
   10. Decide if you want a book or a life

The industry has consolidated. Ask your publisher who else are you working with on similar books?

pidt aect

Comments

[Annette Lamb]

Thanks for the great review of the panel discussion.