In today’s marketplace, authors need to be integrally involved with the marketing of their books, including making decisions about author websites. While many authors have the opportunity to use their publisher’s author website option, they should carefully consider whether that website offers the design elements, content features, and editing flexibility to best serve their needs.
Welcome new members to TAA: December 2017
With membership in TAA, you are not alone. You become part of a diverse community of textbook and academic authors with similar interests and goals. We are pleased to announce the addition of 43 new TAA members who joined us in December 2017.
#AcWriChat TweetChat: Not on Twitter? Watch live here on 1/12 at 11 a.m. ET
Join TAA on Twitter on Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m. ET using the hashtag #AcWriChat for our latest TweetChat focused on setting goals and planning a writing project.
Not on Twitter? Not sure what a “Tweet Chat” is? Follow us here (you won’t be able to actively participate, but you will be able to follow the chat live).
The most useful textbook & academic posts of the week: December 29, 2017
In this final week of 2017, few creatures were stirring with new articles and content between the holidays, but we were able to locate a few gems for consideration as you reflect on this year and prepare for the next. For starters, looking back, 2017 was a breakthrough year for OER and a time of textbook pricing discussion impacted by continued changes in available purchasing options. In contrast, looking forward, we found articles on book marketing traps to avoid, how to maintain a healthy competitive nature, and self-care practices you may want to consider adopting in 2018.
In this season of giving and in preparation for the gift of a new year on the way, keep in mind the words of Cheryl Alleway, “Writing is a gift to both the writer and the reader”, and keep writing.
Students lead the march toward mobile: Three strategies for adapting and responding
It is becoming increasingly clear that students want and need to use mobile devices as a supplement to their print and e-textbooks and LMS course platforms. In fact, many students prefer reading on mobile. Students are leading the market to mobile, and publishers are following. Some authors are working to adapt existing materials to the mobile platform, but in many cases the publisher adapts the material with little or no author input. Authors have a vested interest in keeping up with this transition in terms of the technology opportunities, content quality control, and enhanced marketability of their works.
Member Spotlight: Marielle Hoefnagels
TAA member Marielle Hoefnagels is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biology and Microbiology/Plant Biology at The University of Oklahoma,…