TAA recognizes members who have made exemplary contributions to the association

Several TAA members were recognized for exemplary contributions to the association over the past year during an awards ceremony held at the 2017 TAA Conference in Providence, RI June 9.

The President’s Award was presented to Karen Morris in recognition of her exceptional service to TAA. The award was given by TAA Council President Steven Barkan. In honoring her, Barkan said: “Not only was Karen a wonderful leader of the organization while she was president, but she was a terrific advisor and ‘wise counsel’ for me as we faced new questions during my tenure. Over the past two years, Karen has continued to chair and serve on key committees of TAA, leading the Council of Fellows Committee, and establishing the Awards committee that determines our Council Award winners.”

TAA recognizes members who have made exemplary contributions to the association Read More

Intellectual property attorney: First-time textbook author has leverage in contract negotiations

Stephen E. Gillen, author of Writing and Developing Your College Textbook: A Comprehensive Guide, says the first-time textbook author definitely has leverage in contract negotiations, and can negotiate changes in the standard publishing agreement.


Listen to the full interview

Intellectual property attorney: First-time textbook author has leverage in contract negotiations Read More

Cengage print materials to include certification seal to fight counterfeiters

Beginning with shipments currently underway to on-campus, off-campus and online retailers, Cengage print products will include a unique certification seal developed by an expert third-party certification company. The seal includes a QR code and one-off indicators that verify the product’s authenticity. Cengage estimates that counterfeit course materials cost the company between $70 million to $100 million annually. 

Cengage print materials to include certification seal to fight counterfeiters Read More

6 Tips for avoiding website agita

As writers and academics, most of us recognize the necessity of having a website about our work and services. With WordPress and other DIY websites becoming ever easier, many writers are savvy enough to design and mount their own sites. But some of us aren’t, or can’t face trekking up that learning curve.

When I needed a website for publication of my book, Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams, at first I procrastinated mightily. I didn’t want a prepackaged site (à la WordPress), although they can be fine. I knew I needed a site for promotion and wanted one that reflected the themes and gorgeous cover of my book. I was willing to spend a few dollars. So, to allay if not cure my website agita, I hired a professional web designer.

6 Tips for avoiding website agita Read More

5 Strategies for using social media to promote your writing

The purpose of using social media as an academic is to do more than spread the word, it is also a way to develop readers and relationships, said Janet Salmons, an independent researcher, writer and consultant with Vision2Lead, Inc., in a TAA webinar entitled, “Six Strategies for Using Social Media to Promote Your Writing.”

“What’s unique about the social media networking environment is the ability to find groups of people of like mind and interact with people and get their perspectives and engage with them because they are able to produce content as well,” she said.

5 Strategies for using social media to promote your writing Read More

The not-always-obvious ‘infrastructure’ of journal articles: Abstracts and textual linkages

Not all who wander are lost.  In fact, some who wander are not lost but just exploring the terrain. Yet, when I read a journal article, I do not want to wander and wonder where the work is headed. Partly because of my busy schedule and largely because I am seeking ideas, information and even inspiration, I want to know right away what the scholarly work is about. Scholars can guide readers along a smooth reading road by paying attention to the not-so-obvious infrastructure of typical journal articles and writing their submissions with this structure in mind.

The not-always-obvious ‘infrastructure’ of journal articles: Abstracts and textual linkages Read More