Resources for Writers

Berkshire Publishing has had the privilege and pleasure of working with thousands of scholars, some of them famous for major books, and others at early stages of their academic careers. They sometimes come to us with book proposals or to ask for advice about bringing a book back into print. Some international contributors are interested in publishing in English-language academic journals. This page consists of recommended resources for anyone who wants to write more easily and publish more widely.

Advice for academic (and other) authors

When we are asked for advice on getting published, our invariable answer is to check JaneFriedman.com You’ll find a great variety of free information at this website, as well as various services including webinars and manuscript review. Jane’s explanations of how commercial publishing and self-publishing work are excellent, and she includes checklists to help you decide if your idea makes sense as a book or might be more effective as a blog or other type of publication.

Write No Matter What

Write No Matter What: Advice for Academics by Joli Jensen (University of Chicago Press 2017) is primarily about finding time and space and focus, but the final chapter is specifically about communicating to the public (rather than to students and colleagues). There’s also a Berkshire Bookworld interview with the author.
Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction and Get It Published by Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato (Norton 2003). This book is 20 years old but still has plenty of useful advice for any expert trying to reach a wider audience.

The Public Intellectuals Program of the National Committee on US-China Relations has a host of impressive China experts as its alumni.
The Last Intellectuals: American Culture In The Age Of Academe by Russell Jacoby (Basic Books 2000). Another oldie, but one we especially value because amongst Jacoby’s public intellectuals is Lewis Mumford.

Messaging – Framing

We have a lot more planned on this topic, which is central to publishing as well as to politics. This is the list of resources we’re collecting in a Zotero library to share:

Jacoby, Russell. 2022. Intellectuals in Politics and Academia: Culture in the Age of Hype. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.
Lakoff, George, and Elisabeth Wehling. 2012. The Little Blue Book: The Essential Guide to Thinking and Talking Democratic. 1st Free Press Trade Paperback ed. New York: Free Press.
Lakoff, George, and Elisabeth Wehling. 2016. Your Brain’s Politics: How the Science of Mind Explains the Political Divide. Societas : Essays in Political & Cultural Criticism. Exeter, UK: Imprint Academic.
Lakoff, George. 2014. The All-New Don’t Think of an Elephant! Know Your Values and Frame the Debate. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing.
Lakoff, George. 2002. Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Alinsky, Saul David. 1989. Rules for Radicals: A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals. Vintage Books ed. New York: Vintage Books.
Luntz, Frank I. 2007. Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear. 1st pbk. ed. New York: Hyperion.
Ailes, Roger, and Jon Kraushar. 1989. You Are The Message. New York, N.Y: Doubleday.
Eisler, Barry. 2011. Ass Is A Poor Receptacle For The Head: Why Democrats Suck At Communication, And How They Could Improve. Place of publication not identified: Distributed via Smashwords.

What to do about your older books

Reclaim your rights

Tips from the Authors Alliance

Foreign rights

“Selling Your Books Internationally” by Jane Friedman

Copyright basics

Organizations

Authors Guild (USA) – especially valuable for legal advice and webinars, with a focus on trade/general books and professional authors (that is, people who make a living as writers).

Authors Alliance (USA) – new organization with a focus on Creative Commons and Open Access, relevant to academic authors who are not concerned about income from their writing.

Society of Authors (UK) – great legal advice, with an academic authors group.

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