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.
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...
Black Feminist Writing: A conversation with Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Hello, Reader! Last week, I shared an excerpt from the new book Black Feminist Writing: A Practical Guide to Publishing Academics Books by Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans. This week, I want to tell you how you can hear more about the book and Dr. Evans' process of writing it. First, here's a summary of Black Feminist Writing from the publisher's website (SUNY Press): Writing scholarly books...
Following up with publishers — when and how to do it
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have Happy last day of July, Reader! I spend a good deal of my working hours answering author questions about the book publishing process. I've been hosting daily Q&As this week as part of my Book Proposal Sprint (which you can still join here), and I also regularly field questions from alums of my programs and even strangers who send me emails. It's interesting to notice when certain...
How Candle Making Made Dr. Brielle Harbin a Better Writer
The Manuscript Works Newsletter Essential knowledge on scholarly book publishing that every author should have This newsletter is coming to you from Laura Portwood-Stacer, PhD, professional developmental editor and publishing consultant. I help scholarly writers navigate the book publishing process with more ease and agency. I hope you'll stick around for practical tips on writing and publishing your scholarly book, but if you'd like to adjust your subscription settings, you can do that at...
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.