How to support striking graduate workers

And attend my next workshop for free

Hi Manuscript Workers,

This week’s newsletter is a quickie to tell you about my next workshop and to let you know about an opportunity to support graduate workers at the University of Michigan who are on strike for better wages and more just working conditions.

They have been on strike for several weeks and are up against some truly detestable strikebreaking tactics from the institution. It’s crucial that they win, for their own sake and because laborers and institutions around the country are watching.

Here’s how I’m trying to offer solidarity and material support: anyone who donates $30 or more to the strike fund can enroll free of charge in my upcoming workshop on how to write an outstanding scholarly book proposal.

All you need to do is make a donation at the link below, screenshot your confirmation, and email it to me at laura@manuscriptworks.com. I’ll get you enrolled in the workshop and you can attend live on May 24th or watch the recording on your own time (you’ll keep access to the recording forever).

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In case you’d like to hear more about the workshop, here’s some info:

What’s covered in this workshop?

This 90-minute workshop will:

• Walk participants through the acquisitions process for scholarly books -- that is, how publishers decide whether to put a book under contract

• Break down the key components of the scholarly book proposal (and why they're there)

• Highlight common mistakes that prospective authors make in their book proposals

• Offer concrete tips to make your book proposal stand out

• Provide ample time for participant Q&A

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is intended for anyone who is planning to submit a book proposal to a university press or other academic publisher. You can be a first-time author or a repeat author who is looking to take more control of the process this time around.

When will the workshop take place?

The workshop will be held live via Zoom on Wednesday, May 24th, at 10am PDT. Registrants will be provided with a recording and supplementary handouts. You can register even if you don't plan to attend live. You will then get lifetime access to the recording and materials.

Please feel free to share with anyone who might be interested. And solidarity to all higher ed workers who are fighting for a better system!