The Manuscript Works Newsletter
Essential knowledge about scholarly book publishing that every author should have. Get weekly tips on writing and publishing your scholarly book from developmental editor and publishing consultant Laura Portwood-Stacer, PhD.
Is your draft ready for developmental editing?
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, In case you haven't heard yet, I'm offering a new course for scholarly writers! The Developmental Editing Workshop for Scholarly Writers will teach you how to apply the skills of professional editing to your own academic writing projects. You'll learn the most important issues that factor into manuscripts making it through the publication process smoothly, and you'll...
Are you editing out of order?
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, If you’ve ever written a manuscript for publication, you’ve probably been aware at some point that your draft needed editing. And you’ve probably engaged in self-editing, or received editorial assistance from someone else on your way to publication. What you may not have been aware of is that professional writers and editors distinguish between various levels of editing,...
Taking your book public for broader impact
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, I'm so pleased to be celebrating a new book this month from a Manuscript Works client (specifically an alum of my Book Proposal Accelerator program in 2022). Dr. Oliver L. Haimson's Trans Technologies is near and dear to my heart, not only because its topic is important for its own sake, but also because I think Oliver's thesis is a great a model for other authors who...
Friendly reviewers
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, I have a free workshop coming up next week! It's the next installment of my Publishing Unpacked series, and this one is called Surviving Peer Review. I'll be giving my best tips for getting your scholarly book through the peer review process (mostly) unscathed, drawing on my experience helping hundreds of academics land book contracts with university presses and other...
Auditory escape
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, I hope you're surviving this week, staying off social media if you need to, and finding time to connect with what sustains you. I'm currently in the thick of the production process for my next book, which now has a final title: Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers. The book offers a step-by-step system for editing your own...
Announcing a new workshop series for 2025
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Happy 2025, Reader! I've never been more ready to say goodbye to a year. 2024 was already a rough one for me, and then on Monday I had an accident at home and ended up in the ER with a partially torn ligament in my foot and a big old bruise on my tailbone. Fortunately, I should be able to heal up with just rest and some prescription strength ibuprofen, and I'm still on schedule for...
Giveaway for a good cause
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, Wow, 2024 has been a tough year. I’m applauding all of us for making it through, period, and if you’ve managed to keep your head in the game of working on an academic book, well, I hope you know what an accomplishment that is, even if you made less progress than you’d hoped to. I want to quickly remind you that I have a free workshop coming up on January 8th that lays...
Celebrating 2024's new books
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Dear Reader, We've finally made it to the last month of 2024, which I think we all deserve to celebrate. I'm particularly happy today to celebrate all the scholarly books released this past year by Manuscript Works clients and readers. My heart definitely grew several sizes as I scrolled this list of books and thought about alllllll the hard work these authors (and the staff at their...
Project management for book writers
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Happy September Reader, The theme for the newsletter this month is Back-to-School Tools, and each week I'll be sharing some of my favorite tools for getting organized and staying on track with your book publishing goals as the school year ramps up. This week, I'm delighted to bring you a guest newsletter from Dr. Shiri Noy, author of a new book called Project Management for...
How to work with me and have someone else foot the bill
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Hello Reader, What's better than getting to work with a professional developmental editor on your book proposal or book manuscript? Getting to work with a professional developmental editor and having someone else pay for it! In today's newsletter, I want to share three ways that you can work with me this year without having to spend any of your own money. (I also offer a bunch of...
Essential knowledge about scholarly book publishing that every author should have. Get weekly tips on writing and publishing your scholarly book from developmental editor and publishing consultant Laura Portwood-Stacer, PhD.