Writing for Publication
BPD Conference
March 19, 2014
Louisville, KY
A Publisher’s Perspective & Process on Writing a Professional Book
Rachel Livsey
Senior Editor
Wiley
Writing a Professional Book
• What is a professional book?
– Non-fiction, expert author, limited audience, focused on issues specific to a profession
– Current state of professional book publishing
Writing a Professional Book
• Concept/Ideation
– Solve a problem
– Explain a process
– Improve performance
Writing a Professional Book
• Research
– Know your audience
– Know your publisher
• The sweet spot of professional books
Writing a Professional Book
• Writing and submitting a proposal
– Proposal guidelines
– Sample chapter
– Single vs simultaneous submission
Writing a Professional Book
• How the editorial decision making process works
– Internal review
– External review
– Timeline
– Contract offer
Writing a Professional Book
• Contract Basics
– Royalty basics
– Advances & grants
– What publishers should pay for
– Author obligations
– Lawyers
Writing a Professional Book
• Style & structure tips for professional books
– Cut to the chase
– Keep it real
– Instant gratification
Writing a Professional Book
• Pitfalls of writing a professional book
– Cut these three items:
Lit review
Research methodology
History
– Abstract/Theoretical
– Length
Writing a Professional Book
• Conclusion
– Post publication
• Questions
Writing a Professional Book
Rachel Livsey
@rlivseyeditor
Rachel Livsey
pub/rachel-livsey/4/a95/62b/
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