Writing & Editing Books and Book Chapters

Writing & Editing Books and Book Chapters

This workshop provides DPhil students, early-career researchers and post-docs an introduction to the basics of writing and editing academic books and book chapters. The course takes a publisher’s perspective throughout, and introduces participants to the huge changes that are radically changing academic publishing worldwide. A focus will be on using DPhil and Postdoc research as a means of generating viable book publications.

The course will cover the complete workflow of the process from deciding to write a book (or book chapter) through finding the best publisher, writing a proposal, working with a commissioning editor, writing and editing the manuscript and marketing the book after publication.

The course will deal with the different types of book Oxford students and researchers are likely to want to work on; from research monographs, academic texts and non-fiction works for the general public, through to large edited works such as handbooks and textbooks. It will also set out the different challenges faced by book editors and co-editors as opposed to book authors and co-authors. 
The module will also trouble-shoot some of the most common problems facing academics who engage with book publishing, namely:

•    Negotiating contracts
•    Understanding copyright
•    Dealing with timetables and late deliverers
•    Working with peer reviewers
•    Getting the most out of proof-readers and copyeditors
•    Getting the writing level right
•    Designing in-text features
•    Understanding plagiarism (and self-plagiarism)
•    Dealing with co-authors and co-editors
•    Managing contributors

After completing this workshop, you should have a better understanding of:

1. When to write a book, edit a book, and when to concentrate on journal articles?
2. How to find the right publisher and negotiate a contract
3. The basics of writing books and chapters
4. How and when to co-author books and book chapters
5. How and when to edit or co edit an academic book

 

For TT24 courses
Application window opens Thursday 18th April from 11am

 

Booking process

When your application is received, you will be emailed a link and then have 48 hours to complete a pre-workshop form requesting additional information. If you do not meet this deadline, your application will be cancelled. 

See our full Terms and Conditions below

 

If you have specific circumstances which may affect your engagement with this event, or your meeting our Terms and Conditions, please continue with your booking and contact us by email to discuss how we can support you: researcherdevelopment@socsci.ox.ac.uk

 

Researcher Development Terms and Conditions - Trinity 2023

In booking any training workshops, you agree that: 

 

COMMITMENT: application is not an expression of interest; it is a firm commitment. You will be available for the full duration of the course session(s); if you are not, please do not make a booking. You will not accept any subsequent meeting invitations that may fall during the given workshop times. 

PRE-WORK / HOMEWORK: if applicable, you will complete any given pre-work and/or homework as described on the workshop web listing, as it constitutes part of the workshop  

CANCELLATION: should your circumstances change, and you are not able to attend the full session(s). you will cancel using the CoSy booking system (link in booking confirmation email) giving at least 72-hours' notice, so we can offer the place to someone on the waiting list. Cancellations by email will not be accepted. 

ARRIVAL: you will join, or arrive at, the workshop 5 minutes before the advertised start time, to ensure a prompt start. 

LATE POLICY: you understand that the online room will be locked / workshop door will be closed 10 minutes after the event start time and late-comers will not be admitted. This is to preserve the integrity of the course for those who are present.  

ENGAGEMENT: you will give the session your undivided attention and engagement. You will not be able to do other tasks in parallel. If online, you will ensure that your environment and internet connection allow you to participate verbally and with video cameras on. These are interactive workshops, and it is not appropriate to attend from a silent or shared workspace. 

ATTENDANCE RECORD: you understand the Register will be taken in the last half-hour of the course, and anyone not present in the room at that point will be marked as non -attending (see below) 

FEEDBACK: you will contribute feedback afterwards, to help us understand how well the session met its intended aims, and facilitate our continuous improvement 

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-ATTENDANCE: you understand that any non-attendance  
a) is visible to departments and supervisors/PIs, and  
b) may result in any future bookings you’ve made within the same term being cancelled, and the place(s) offered to the waiting list.