How to Add “Published Author” to Your Curriculum Vita By Dr. Linda Henshall Wilson College of Education Curriculum and Instruction Northeastern State University

● The test of an author is not to be found merely in the number of his phrases... but in the number of passages that have really taken root in younger minds. Thomas Higginson

Author of….

Pursuing the Dream ● Books published on the same topic ● “Competing works” ● Check bookstores and on-line ● Look at number of pages, costs, summaries, publishers, reviews, etc.

Intended Readership WHO will buy this book? Any other groups that would benefit? The greater the intended readership, the greater the book sales, the bigger the royalty check How will you address each group/all groups? The “Disney Effect”—who buys the ticket

Sample “Theme” Table of Contents Becoming a “Wiz” at Brain-Based Teaching ● The Journey ● Building the Yellow Brick Road ● No Place Like Home ● If I only Had a Heart ● The Wicked Witch ● Leaving the Land of Oz

Prospectus ● Follow the prospectus to the letter ● Add any extras you think will make it “special” ● Call the publishing house with any questions ● Write a cover letter to catch the attention of the reader in the first paragraph ● Mail / the prospectus ● Completed chapters? ● Completed Table of Contents

Some Companies Require A Peer Review ● How many? Which phase of writing? ● Very time consuming ● Good constructive criticism ● Which changes should be made?

Editor—Your New Best Friend ● Page sizes of book ● Paperback? Hard cover? ● Any accompanying CD’s? ● Accompanying workbook / supplement? ● Ask about graphs, charts, tables, pictures ● Your photo on the cover? ● Reviews on the cover? ● Photos, tables, charts, color, “boxed sections”, graphics

The Contract $$$$$$ Before you sign on the dotted line…….

The Contract--$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ● Can you make changes to the contract? ● Change the payment schedule? ● Hold back checks to the next payment period? ● Can you get “up front” money? ● Deadline (s) for completed work ● Number of free books you will receive ● Accompanying CD, workbook, supplements

Your Writing Process ● Develop your own system ● Know the deadlines – multiple deadlines ● Put work in chapter “folders” ● Put tables in table “folders” by chapter ● Editor will put in page numbers ● Editor will embed tables, charts, graphs, must be original—no “clip art” ● Back up, back up, back up your work!

Your Writing Process Send finished manuscript to the editor This manuscript will go to a “copy editor” Manuscript will be returned to make changes, answer questions Return manuscript to editor Manuscript will go to a new copy editor Manuscript will be returned for small changes Send back work for the final time

Reviews ● Send completed manuscript to colleagues for “reviews” BEFORE the cover design is completed ● Send reviews to in digital format to editor for use on the website, in promotional publications, on the book cover

The Finished Product ● Schedule “book signings” ● Visit bookstores that sell your book and autograph the books there. Replace them on the shelves ● Develop a workshop that highlights your book ● Find creative ways to donate books

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AND HAPPY WRITING!

How to Add “Published Author” to Your Curriculum Vita By Dr. Linda Henshall Wilson College of Education Curriculum and Instruction Northeastern State University