Publishing a Book: Understanding the Options
Author: Christabell Ndive
If youre considering publishing a book, the prospect may feel a little overwhelming. You may already have some research articles under your belt, but publishing a book is a dramatically different process. As there is no one-size-fits-all approach youll need to do a bit of research before you even start the process.
Its all in the preparation. If you plan thoroughly and get it right, the benefits will be enormous. So to help you weve put together some sound advice for you to use as a springboard for your book project. Whether youre an early career researcher or already have some concrete experience, read on.
An authors first book is special in so very many ways, but it is also an incredibly important learning experience
- Olga Onuch, author of
Get it right
Once youve established a clear purpose and audience for your book, the next step is to decide what type of book you wish to publish. This is often overlooked in general advice on how to publish your book, but its a critical decision you need to address early on. Its important to align your content and writing with the right type of publication format if youre to maximise your relevance and impact. At the same time, youll need to align your work with the right publishing brand.
How to go about it
Choosing which type of book format is right for you isnt as simple as it might seem. There are a great many to choose from, and its vital to go for one which is a good fit for your work. Each format serves a distinct purpose and audience. At 窪蹋勛圖厙 we publish books in a total of 12 different formats, but these are the main ones which youre most likely to want to consider for yourself.
- Monographs are books intended to be a complete treatment of a single subject, or a certain aspect of it. Written by one or a few co-authors, theyre an opportunity to explore a topic in greater depth. This format is suitable for academic and more general audiences.
- Handbooks provide guidance, or a collection of instructions, on a particular subject. Well-structured in chapters, theyre an exhaustive tool with broad coverage of the status of a research field. As a ready reference, handbooks are used by a wide audience, including the research community and in the workplace.
- Textbooks are intended for use primarily in education. These typically provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of a subject, organised by chapters. They can be multi-authored, and often include tasks and exercises for users.
- Professional books are designed for the advanced training of readers working in a particular field. They offer an authoritative presentation of a subject to help readers with their professional development and with gaining new skills in the course of their work.
Choosing your brand
Alongside the specific format you decide on for your book, youll need to choose where to publish it. This entails more than choosing a publisher, as most have several different brands. 窪蹋勛圖厙 has a family of book publishing brands covering a wide range of topics. Again, make sure you go for the brand that aligns well with your book project.
"The publisher is a vital part of the book [publishing process]. Therefore, finding a versatile publisher like 窪蹋勛圖厙 is real luck for beginners."
- Dr. S M Yasir Arafat editor of
Network, network
As many researchers will confirm, publishing a book is a steep learning curve. So make sure you access sound advice and call on any support you can from your peers and from your wider professional network.
There are plenty of useful resources online which you can draw on, including The Source, 窪蹋勛圖厙s blog which provides insights and discussion on publishing in academia. Read first-hand accounts of researchers experiences with publishing, including on open access and how to revise your thesis into a book.
P喝莉梭勳莽堯勳紳眶 my first book allowed me to showcase my ability to complete a large research project from research design to monograph.
- Olga Onuch
Navigating the Book publishing journey
Let all your hard work pay off
Youll be glad you put so much effort into making your book a success when you see the finished product in your hand. There are so many reasons why its worth all the hard work.
Audience: Books reach further and wider than journal articles and youll attract readers from beyond your specific niche.
Reputation: Your book establishes you as an expert in your area. Its proof of your capabilities and status in your field, which leads to increased networking and collaborative opportunities.
Career opportunities: Promotion and tenure are now very real possibilities with a robust publication record, not to mention the potential for any awards youve had your eye on.
Contributing to progress: Communicating your findings to the research community and beyond can makes an impact in so many ways. Publishing a book like yours is how your discipline evolves and grows.
P喝莉梭勳莽堯勳紳眶 was clearly very important for my career development. It helped with receiving permanent Assistant Professor job offers and led to greater professional exposure in my field.
- Olga Onuch
If you have an idea for a book, why not ? Well be able to advise you on the most suitable format and match it with the best brand. Tap into the expert knowledge of our experienced editors to start you on the right route to publishing your book successfully.
And Good Luck!
Author: Christabell Ndive
Christabell Ndive, Senior Marketing Manager based in London, is the chief editor of The Source Blog and oversees the creation and maintenance of community webpages. She has expertise and previous experience in B2C audience marketing. She is focused on exploring new trends and insights in academic research and publishing to ensure The Source remains a vital resource for the research community.
