As the new cycle of academic conferences is about to launch, here’s some advice for #Twitterstorians hoping to secure their first book contract and facing looming deadlines to have their #tenure dossier in order 1/
Editors (who are all under enormous pressures of their own) will show interest, say all the right things. They will show genuine interest in your manuscript...but they can’t guarantee that your book will be out by *your* professional deadline. 2/
Some editors have dozens and dozens of books in the pipeline. For every prize-winning book, there are many more that received considerably less attention because, hey, there are only so many hours in a day. 3/
So talk to authors (as well as editors) to hear about their experiences. If your tenure clock is ticking fast, and you hear that a particular editor didn’t respond to emails in 6 months, pay attention to that.
The editors can’t stop everything to accommodate you, but you need an editor who is reasonably responsive and let’s you know where you stand. 5/
Some authors write their editors every week hoping to fast track publication (don’t!) but if you write every month and you never receive even an acknowledgment and promise of a response....well, that is worrisome. 6/
Before you sign, though, talk to other authors about their experiences. Not just the prize-winning authors who will likely have great things to say, but those who wrote books you respect. If you hear particular things said, over and over, pay attention. 7/
The tenure clock is already anxiety producing. It takes 18-24 months for most books to make it through, from submission to final production...so do your research about beforehand. Don’t sign quickly. Good luck!
All dissertations need revision. Anonymous reviewers often hold up the process when they don’t meet deadlines. Given these realities, a responsive editor makes all the difference, and there are many great ones out there!
