Becoming an author (Paperback)

~ David Canter (Author), Gavin Fairbairn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Would you like to write for publication, but can’t find the time or motivation to do so?

Do you already publish academically or professionally, and want to extend your portfolio of publications?

Would you like help in guiding your students as they set out on a career as published authors?

Becoming an Author provides an accessible and engaging toolkit for authors, students, academics and other professionals who want to build their careers, their confidence and their personal satisfaction through publication. It demystifies the move from being an effective student or active professional to being a published author, drawing aside the veils of confusion that surround the practicalities of publishing in academic journals, or entering the book market place.

The book takes the reader through the publishing process from planning and writing, through to contractual and ethical matters, discussing key issues such as:

• The importance of structure and style
• Where and how to publish your work
• Dealing with publishers
• The future of academic publishing

The authors’ experience of publishing, editing and reviewing in a range of academic areas has allowed them to fill the book with real-life experiences about encountering and overcoming problems associated with becoming an author. It has also allowed them to address the psychological and emotional barriers that confront authors, and to offer practical help in getting past them.

About the Author

David Canter is Professor of Psychology at the University of Liverpool. He has published over 20 single authored and edited books, and founded two academic journals. He is winner of The Golden Dagger Award and US Anthony Award for crime non-fiction for his book Criminal Shadows.

Gavin Fairbairn is Professor of Ethics and Language at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is co-author of Reading, Writing and Reasoning and Reading at University, both from Open University Press. Becoming an Author is his tenth book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Open University Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0335202756
• ISBN-13: 978-0335202751
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,948,778 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Experience on Getting Published, October 18, 2006

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In today's academic environment it is absolutely necessary to publish the results of one's research. At the same time, the researcher probably has not concentrated on English during his education or has forgotten what he was taught. Further while these classes might have taught proper grammer, they did not teach the fundamental rules of writing for publication, finding the right publications, and selling your work to the publisher.

This book covers publishing your work in journals, newspapers and of course books. It concentrates on the traditional forms of publishing for the most part. There is only a small amount on publishing on the web or on self publishing which has become much more viable with new short run printing/binding technologies combined with the growth of Amazon as a major force in book distribution.

On the whole, this book gives a good solid foundation on the practical aspects of publishing. It is written by acomplished authors who have been down the path many times. It speaks of experience in the real world, not just the academic world.