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"Writing on Religion for the General Reader" now with @timothybeal
and @JulieByrneHUCS. Supported by @NEHgov Public Scholars program.
Use story, narrative to hook general readers; avoid specialized jargon. https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=AARSBL19&server=eventpilot.us&id=16370 #AARSBL19
and @JulieByrneHUCS. Supported by @NEHgov Public Scholars program.
Use story, narrative to hook general readers; avoid specialized jargon. https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=AARSBL19&server=eventpilot.us&id=16370 #AARSBL19
Beal's Religion and Monsters originated as a study on Leviathan in HB; editor thought that was too narrow for public audience, but liked Beal's larger framing of monstrous in scripture.
Byrne: work over the prose until it's as smooth as butter. Think about your audiences. Beal: what is the promise of the book? This has to appear early. Learn what a nutgraph is. Third panelist emphasizes storytelling aspect; it humanizes people living with large social forces.
. @timothybeal says: think about your students as your ideal reader: smart, curious, but not "disciplined". @JulieByrneHUCS: you have to explain categories, specialized ideas. #aarsbl19
Public scholarship can provoke threatening / insulting responses, says @timothybeal, especially on topic of religion or the Bible. Trade presses have actual, hard deadlines, says @JulieByrneHUCS, unlike (often) academic presses - so write ms first and then shop it. #aarsbl19
You need an agent to shop to trade presses. Iterative, dialogic process when dealing with agents and editors when writing a book proposal for a trade press, says @timothybeal. 3rd panelist: more editorial attention to prose, but no peer review, placing onus solely on author.
Marketing: the hope that you're already trying to reach larger audiences, including social media, place editorials, content in advance of work, says @JulieByrneHUCS. She arranged her own book tour, her own logistical coordinator. Talk about that in new trade proposal. #aarsbl19
Always say yes to invitations, and let go of some control when dealing with editors, says @timothybeal. Problem as junior scholar of figuring out how / if outward facing scholarship will count, says @JulieByrneHUCS. Talk with mentors. #aarsbl19
Trade publications often happen faster than academic presses. Can get mixed reactions from colleagues, even after tenure, negative ones, says @JulieByrneHUCS. Even though universities should like the visibility. #aarsbl19
Difficulty of writing without footnotes. This is not just synthetic; original research can / should be in trade book. Front end work in terms of getting prose read, edited, before submitting a full ms to a trade press - but most do not want to see a full ms up front. #aarsbl19
Be ambitious and prepared to be disappointed, says @timothybeal. Choose a topic that will have anniversaries, says @JulieByrneHUCS. Universities appreciate public scholarship on some level, and uni public relations want to work with you. #aarsbl19
Aim to write for an adult expert in something else, says @JulieByrneHUCS. Not 8th grade audience. Can be personal. Put yourself in the story. Can be expression of curiosity, compassion, even though this might seem to lack critical edge to some readers. #aarsbl19
Literature review chapter of diss has to come out for a trade press. Maybe pieces will work their way in elsewhere.
Self-publishing to get certain material out to the public can make sense, says @JulieByrneHUCS. But this will not help with academic jobs.
#aarsbl19
Self-publishing to get certain material out to the public can make sense, says @JulieByrneHUCS. But this will not help with academic jobs.
#aarsbl19
. @NEHgov has a public scholarship program. 6 to 12 months of support. 5K / month to write a book intended for public audience. Applications open now. 1/4 independent scholars. Show that you've written for public audiences before. Feb 5th deadline. #aarsbl19
This award can be used for salary replacement. Apply early and often. Feb 5 deadline. Webinar on application process in December.
When looking for agents, read acknowledgment page of trade book you admire, then contact the agent mentioned, says @timothybeal. Fini. #aarsbl19
When looking for agents, read acknowledgment page of trade book you admire, then contact the agent mentioned, says @timothybeal. Fini. #aarsbl19
