Laying the foundation for an academic textbook: Testing for audience

It’s one thing to write a textbook; it is another matter entirely to get a critical mass of people to buy. For someone socialized as an academic, the audience for a textbook is a far less specialized one than one is accustomed to addressing. The format has to be perceived as accessible; the audience has to find it welcoming.

A website about trade books provides analytics enough to give a would-be author pause. According to Bookscan, of the 3.2 million books tracked in 2021, fewer than 1percent sold more than 5,000 copies. While I confess to find myself turning to book writing for the sheer love of the spaciousness it affords to expand on ideas, it’s hardly a wise investment of all-too limited time to a write a book that only a few will ever buy.

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Busy TAA People: Barbara Price authors new book

AA Member Barbara Price’s book with biochemist Katherine Reid, Fat, Stressed, and Sick: MSG, Processed Food, and America’s Health Crisis, was accepted by Rowman & Littlefield in Fall 2022, with a publication date of September 2023. 

“In November 2021, I was selected by TAA to receive a complimentary book proposal evaluation from Publishing Consultant John Bond,” said Price. “His insight was enormously helpful in getting my book accepted for publication. The take-home is that TAA = SUCCESS.” Congratulations Barbara!

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TAA DEI Committee to moderate April 26 Conversation Circle discussion

TAA’s Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be moderating the April 26 TAA Conversation Circle discussion on DEI from 1-2 p.m. ET.

Committee members Steven Barkan, Laura Frost, Nicole Dillard, Shawn Nordell, Brian Shmaefsky, and Pilar Wyman will talk about resources the committee has curated over the past two years and invite your comments and questions about incorporating DEI into your authoring.

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Don’t gloss over the glossary

Do you feel like you have fallen into the abyss when dealing with your glossary? Don’t let this problematic element overwhelm you. In his 2023 Conference session, Paul Krieger will describe the standardized process he created to improve his glossary. After doing some research and creating a clear set of guidelines for his editors to develop a master glossary for three related books, the end result was a much more consistent, complete, and user-friendly glossary.

Krieger is an award-winning teacher and the creator, author, and illustrator of Morton Publishing’s Visual Analogy Guide series. Due to the success of his first book on human anatomy in 2004, this unique book concept quickly evolved into a four-book series. He is Professor Emeritus of Anatomy & Physiology at Grand Rapids Community College and also works as a scientific illustrator.

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Understanding the decision from your journal publisher

The big day has arrived. You look in your In Box and there is an email from a journal editor. You submitted your manuscript over 60 days ago and have been patiently waiting for their decision. The big day is here. You click on it. There is likely one of four decisions.

  • Reject/return without review.
  • Reject.
  • Revise, and (of course).
  • Accept.

Good news no matter what the decision is! You are moving forward. Here is some advice for understanding their decision and what it means to you:

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Busy TAA People: TAA member recognized at SLU Black History Month Gala

TAA Sisters of the Academy Chapter Member Dr. Dannielle Joy Davis, received the Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award from Saint Louis University on February 24, 2023.

The Award, named after SLU’s late inaugural vice president for diversity and community engagement, was given to members of the SLU community who were judged to have shown “tremendous dedication and commitment to supporting the Black community at Saint Louis University while facilitating major social change on campus and within the St. Louis community.”

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