Member Spotlight: Susan M. Ford

TAA member Susan M. Ford is a Professor Emeritus with the Tacoma Community College Nursing Program and a textbook author in the nursing discipline.

She recently published the 11th edition of Roach’s Introductory Clinical Pharmacology as the sole author. It just hit the shelves in October 2017. She writes about pharmacology in the context of nursing practice – which has led her to contribute to two other textbooks and a number of online modules to compliment a 3rd nursing textbook. She is also a reviewer for a number of nursing textbooks.

How to minimize distractions and disruptions while writing

Unlike most writing disciplines, textbook and academic writing must be balanced with the distractions and disruptions of the many demands of academic life, including teaching, committee assignments, and research.

Five TAA members share how they minimize distractions and disruptions while writing, including how they eliminate electronic distractions, make time for writing, use music to focus, and edit later.

Authors express concern about new Cengage Unlimited subscription service

Cengage Unlimited, that gives students at U.S. higher education institutions access to all of the company’s digital higher education materials for $119.99 a semester has Cengage authors concerned about how their contracts will be affected.

“I think the authors should find out as soon as possible how we are going to be paid,” said mathematics author Pat McKeague, who did not receive any information from his publisher about the new service prior to its public announcement, and has not been able to reach his editor for more information. “My contracts require my written permission before any electronic version of my book can be published.”

Member Spotlight: Andrew M. Pomerantz

TAA member Andrew M. Pomerantz is a Professor of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and both a textbook and academic author in the psychology discipline.

He recently published two textbooks: the brand new My Psychology (published by Worth, for Introductory Psychology courses) and Clinical Psychology (4th edition, published by SAGE). He has also published dozens of articles in peer-reviewed journals.