Writing It!

37 Episodes

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Episode 37: How a great elevator pitch can make a difference

2024-11-1836:16

A conversation with Professor Lori Harrison-Kahan (Boston College) about edited volumes and writing while in a non-tenure track position. Harrison-Kahan shares ideas for creating successful edited volumes, including her own experiences with having a good elevator pitch and creating conference panels that show potential editors a good fit between papers. Harrison-Kahan explains how to involve undergraduates in the creation of volumes; how edited volumes can be a source of community for scholars; and how she and her co-editors actually write an introduction together. With her co-editors, Harrison-Kahan recently published two edited volumes: The Case of Lizzie Borden and Other Writings, a Penguin Classics edition of Elizabeth Garver Jordan's writings, and Matrilineal Dissent: Women Writers and Jewish American Literary History. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 36: What do book publicists do for academic authors?

2024-11-0449:16

We’re speaking with Leah Paulos, founder and director of the Brooklyn-based book publicity firm, Press Shop PR about what publicists do for academic writers: primarily, helping readers find your book! We talk about why an academic might hire a book publicist; at what stages of writing a book it makes sense to hire a publicist; publicist pricing; what authors can do on their own to create more of a buzz around their book. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 35: GETTING THE READER FROM BEGINNING TO END, WITH MERVE EMRE

2024-10-2159:20

A conversation with Shapiro-Silverberg Professor of Creative Writing and Criticism at Wesleyan University and contributing writer to The New Yorker magazine, Merve Emre. We talk about the work and goals of a book critic; what it means to think about the reader’s experience of our writing; creating a community of readers; and what it’s like to be edited at the New Yorker. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 34: When Writing Becomes Like Painting

2024-10-0743:29

Harvard Divinity School Professor Shaul Magid began his undergraduate education as a painter. Over time, as he became an academic and a professor, Magid found that writing took the place of painting – that is, writing is his artistic and creative expression, and the thing that he’s basically always doing. We speak about how changing one’s institutions – Magid has taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Indiana University, Dartmouth, and Harvard Divinity School—has changed his writing and for whom he wants to write. We speak about the appeal of biography, the value of writing for a broader audience and why the editorial feedback can be difficult to take, but ultimately worthwhile. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 33: Psychedelics & Writing

2024-09-2346:44

We speak with historian Ben Breen (UC Santa Cruz) about the writing of his recent book, Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science, We discuss how to think about chapter organization; writing about individuals’ lives without writing biography; discovering our main characters through the writing process; books that have served as models for writing; the wonderfulness of Terry Gross; not getting caught up in the apparatus of writing tools; and why it’s most important to just get the ideas down. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 32: 5,000-10.000 Downloads of a Conversation about Your Book

2024-09-0936:06

We’re speaking with Caleb Zakarin, the Editor of the New Books Network, about what NBN is and what it does for academics. You’ve probably heard about the New Books Network, because so many academics are either interviewed about their books on this podcast, or interview other academics for NBN. We wanted to understand what NBN does for academics and their books; what makes for a good author interview; what makes it a “network”; and why academics might consider interviewing other academics for NBN (short answer: it’s a really good way to network). Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 31: Being Open to Collaboration

2024-08-2628:48

We’re speaking with Professor Anna Peterson (Religion, University of Florida). She received her PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School and her AB from the University of California at Berkeley. Her research focuses on religion and social change, especially in Latin America; environmental and social ethics; and animal studies. Professor Peterson has decades of experience in something that is rare among humanities scholars: collaborative writing. What are the benefits and drawbacks of co-authored publications? We talk about why and when scholars might choose to collaborate with academics from other disciplines, as well as how a professor or a graduate student might signal interest in collaborative work. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 30: What is the magic that happens when you work with a Developmental Editor?

2024-08-1235:22

We speak with Megan Pugh about her work as a developmental editor: how she helps academics improve their books and find their voice. Making writing less lonely is a big part of her job as a DE, as is expressing her belief in the power of good writing. Megan also offers advice for those thinking about taking on the work of a DE, and what makes this work a good fit for an academic who is considering editing work. You can find out more about Megan and her work here at her website: http://www.meganpugh.com Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 29: Are “writing spurts” a thing?

2024-07-2939:54

We speak with Princeton Professor Laura Arnold Leibman about how a scholar’s approach to writing might change over time, with different stages of an academic career, and what might be happening when it looks like a scholar is having a “writing spurt.” Leibman shares with us the shifts over time, in her thinking about writing; sharing writing; and perfectionism. We also talk about getting writing done while holding leadership positions, the pomodoro technique, and figuring out how to break down the writing of academic journal articles. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 28: An Editor's Perspective: Sandra Korn

2024-07-1540:02

In our conversation with Wayne State University Press editor Sandra Korn we address a number of interesting questions on the minds of our listeners: 1) What does it mean when an editor replies to your submissions with, "This isn't a good fit for us"? 2) What's the best way to approach an editor? In the book exhibit hall, during a conference? Through an email? 3) What parts of my manuscript does a university press editor actually read? 3) What does an editor do differently for her writers who are part of the trade division of an academic press? 4) What does an editor think of book publicity events? 5) What excites an acquisitions editor? Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 27: Turning points in our academic writing

2024-07-0143:47

We speak with Elesha Coffman, Associate Professor of History at Baylor University about writing a book that takes its shape from turning points in history. Coffman is the author of Turning Points in American Church History: How Pivotal Events Shaped a Nation and a Faith. Baker Academic, 2024; Margaret Mead: A Twentieth-Century Faith. Spiritual Lives Series, Timothy Larsen, series editor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021; and The Christian Century and the Rise of the Protestant Mainline. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013. We talk about changing academic institutions and changing our writing priorities; the ways tenure and promotion requirements influence our writing; the advantages of books that allow you to “write short”; and the benefits that come with creating writing groups. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 26: “Modern Love” in the Academic Life

2024-06-1734:12

We speak with Associate Professor of English Jennifer Glaser (University of Cincinnati) about her writing life. When she was in graduate school, Glaser wrote an essay that was published in the NYT’s “Modern Love” section, and which affected her understanding of the kinds of writing she wanted to do as both a scholar and a writer. We talk about being a “serious academic” who finds satisfaction in a variety of writing genres. We talk about writing into uncomfortable subjects and the kind of risks involved in writing more personally, as well as the many benefits of having a more creative and personal writing profile, in addition to a scholarly writing profile. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 25: The Book Seminar with Sam Freedman

2024-06-0357:18

Today, we’re speaking with the award-winning author, columnist, and professor Sam Freedman, of Columbia Journalism School, and the author, most recently, of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights (winner of the 2024 Hillman Prize for Book Journalism), about his class at Columbia School of Journalism, The Book Seminar. We talk about what Sam teaches his lucky students (this very successful Columbia seminar has been offered for over 30 years, and has resulted in over 100 published books), and about his own decades-long career as an author, and the view of the publishing industry it has provided him. We address what it means to craft a good book proposal; the importance of making the case for your book’s readership; the benefits of landing in an academic press, even if you were aiming for a trade press; how to think about the “comp. titles/authors” section of your proposal; pre-publication blurbs; pitching an agent; planning your own book promotion; and finally, why timing is sometimes everything. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 24: The Joy of Editing

2024-05-2037:40

We’re speaking with the editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Andrea Jain, who is professor of religious studies at Indiana University, Indianapolis, and the author of Peace Love Yoga: The Politics of Global Spirituality (2020) and Selling Yoga: From Counterculture to Pop Culture. 2014. Jain tells us about her own path to her editorial position, and speaks about what academics can do to position themselves for journal editor roles. Jain talks about the importance of taking initiative in approaching editors, how to be considered for an editorial board, and how respond to readers reports. We also speak about the importance of taking time off. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 23: From writing about a Chicago heat wave to writing about 2020: A conversation with NYU Sociologist and New Yorker writer Eric Klinenberg

2024-05-0640:50

Today we talk to NYU Professor Eric Klinenberg about how his academic career led to other kinds of writing—and what he's learned from writing a book about a time that many people would rather forget. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 22: Maurice Samuels on the Challenges of writing Biography

2024-04-2238:21

We speak with Yale Professor Maurice Samuels about writing biography, and the importance of finding stories we feel compelled to tell. Samuels talks about finding the right writing voice; when to share writing with colleagues and friends; potential benefits and consequences of publishing with a trade press; creating a table of contents that helps readers; the importance of footnotes; and how our career stage might influence the kind of books we write. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 21: What’s the deal with academics writing for "The Conversation"?

2024-04-0825:39

If you’re like us, you’ve probably noticed that many academics write for The Conversation media outlet. The site does not pay writers, so why is it such a popular site for academics to publish their research? To find out what The Conversation offers, we’re speaking Beth Daley, the site’s Executive Editor. Daley explains that since 4-5 million readers visit The Conversation website every week, the site provides an unusual opportunity for academics to engage with the public. As Creative Commons stories, The Conversation stories can be republished by other publications, including The Washington Post, LA Times, Yahoo News, and local news sites. Daley explains why you don’t need to have a fully formed article to pitch to The Conversation, and what kinds of skills and opportunities writers have received through as a result of publishing in The Conversation. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 20: Would Nahmanides have had a beard? Creating a graphic history with historian Nina Caputo and illustrator Liz Clarke

2024-03-2534:56

In this episode we speak with historian Nina Caputo and illustrator Liz Clarke about their book, Debating Truth: The Barcelona Disputation of 1263, A Graphic History, published in the Oxford University Press Graphic History Series. We talk about the particular kind of research and writing required for a graphic history; how collaboration between academic and illustrator works; how graphic histories figure into tenure and promotion; what academics can learn about writing from working on a graphic history; why graphic history can be a worthwhile medium for a scholar to reach broader audiences; and what kinds of details illustrators need from academics to create a beautiful book. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode 19: The pitch is the start of a relationship

2024-03-1156:53

We're talking with LIz Bucar, professor of religion at Northeastern University, and a prizewinning author about the program she directs Sacred Writes: Public Scholarship on Religion. We talk about the essential ingredients of a good pitch (including the ALL-CAP subject line) to a magazine/newspaper editor; how to communicate timeliness; and how to follow up in a way that invites a future relationship with the editor. Liz also explains what kinds of social media might work for scholars. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact If you'd like to learn more about Sacred Writes, follow this link: https://cssh.northeastern.edu/sacred-writes/

Episode 18: “Why is this a must-read book?” How to show a literary agent/editor that your book is important: a conversation with literary agent and former editor, Susan Rabiner

2024-02-2601:00:27

In this episode we speak with Thinking Like Your Editor author and agent, Susan Rabiner about how academics can best present their book project to an agent or editor. We talk about what a strong book proposal, cover letter, and sample chapters need to do. We also talk about what it means to write your academic book with strong narrative; the significance of the table of contents; why academic writers cannot rely on facts alone to make a point; the importance of figuring out your “core audience”; understanding your book’s central questions; what to expect (and not expect) from a literary agent and from a trade press; why an academic press might be a better fit for your book; and why it’s okay not to earn out your advance. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

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