Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Preface to the Fifth Edition
- Preface to the Fourth Edition
- Preface to the Third Edition
- Preface to the Second Edition
- Preface to the First Edition
- Chapter 1 The Publishing Partnership
- Chapter 2 Journal Articles
- Chapter 3 Revising a Dissertation
- Chapter 4 Finding a Publisher for the Scholarly Book
- Chapter 5 Working with Your Publisher
- Chapter 6 Multiauthor Books and Anthologies
- Chapter 7 Finding a Publisher for the College Textbook
- Chapter 8 Working with Your Textbook Publisher
- Chapter 9 Books for General Readers
- Chapter 10 The Mechanics of Authorship
- Chapter 11 Costs and Prices
- Chapter 12 Born Digital
- Bibliography
- Index
- References
Chapter 3 - Revising a Dissertation
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 December 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Preface to the Fifth Edition
- Preface to the Fourth Edition
- Preface to the Third Edition
- Preface to the Second Edition
- Preface to the First Edition
- Chapter 1 The Publishing Partnership
- Chapter 2 Journal Articles
- Chapter 3 Revising a Dissertation
- Chapter 4 Finding a Publisher for the Scholarly Book
- Chapter 5 Working with Your Publisher
- Chapter 6 Multiauthor Books and Anthologies
- Chapter 7 Finding a Publisher for the College Textbook
- Chapter 8 Working with Your Textbook Publisher
- Chapter 9 Books for General Readers
- Chapter 10 The Mechanics of Authorship
- Chapter 11 Costs and Prices
- Chapter 12 Born Digital
- Bibliography
- Index
- References
Summary
Within the unwieldy cocoon…there is a small, exquisite butterfly of a book struggling to emerge.
The New York Times Book ReviewIn the humanities and some social sciences, a monograph is required for tenure. The wisdom of this rule is being questioned, most notably by the Modern Language Association (MLA). It seems likely, however, that the requirement will remain in place for some time in disciplines other than literature, and even within the MLA's domain it will not vanish overnight. In these fields, a scholar's first book usually originates in the dissertation, but the book is likely to look very different from the thesis.
From the publisher's point of view, an unrevised (or thinly disguised) dissertation is not a good investment. Dissertations are available online, individually or by subscription, from University Microfilms International (UMI). Academic libraries, the main purchasers of scholarly monographs, subscribe to UMI's service, so their patrons already have access to dissertations. The libraries have no interest in paying twice for the same content. From the reader's point of view, reading an unrevised dissertation is an inefficient way to learn: There is too much extraneous material in the way. From the author's point of view – despite the appeal of quick, effortless publication – the dissertation is probably not the best way to present one's knowledge, creativity, and writing talent to the world at large. For all these reasons, it is wise to put a good deal of effort into revising your dissertation.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Handbook for Academic Authors , pp. 33 - 44Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009