
From Dissertation to Book, Second Edition
William Germano(Author)
University of Chicago Press
2nd Edition
Published on 18. October 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
184 pages
978-0-226-06204-4 (ISBN)
Description
When a dissertation crosses my desk, I usually want to grab it by its metaphorical lapels and give it a good shake. "You know something!" I would say if it could hear me. "Now tell it to us in language we can understand!" Since its publication in 2005, From Dissertation to Book has helped thousands of young academic authors get their books beyond the thesis committee and into the hands of interested publishers and general readers. Now revised and updated to reflect the evolution of scholarly publishing, this edition includes a new chapter arguing that the future of academic writing is in the hands of young scholars who meet the broader expectations of readers rather than the narrow requirements of academic committees. At the heart of From Dissertation to Book is the idea that revising the dissertation is fundamentally a process of shifting its focus from the concerns of a narrow audience - a committee or advisors - to those of a broader scholarly audience that wants writing to be both informative and engaging.
William Germano offers clear guidance on how to do this, with advice on such topics as rethinking the table of contents, taming runaway footnotes, and confronting the limitations of jargon. Germano draws on his years of experience in both academia and publishing to show writers how to turn a dissertation into a book that an audience will actually enjoy, whether reading on a page or a screen. Germano also explores other, often overlooked, options for dissertations, such as journal articles or chapters in an edited work. With clear directions, engaging examples, and an eye for the idiosyncrasies of academic writing, From Dissertation to Book reveals to recent PhDs the secrets of careful and thoughtful revision - a skill that will be truly invaluable as they add "author" to their curriculum vitae.
William Germano offers clear guidance on how to do this, with advice on such topics as rethinking the table of contents, taming runaway footnotes, and confronting the limitations of jargon. Germano draws on his years of experience in both academia and publishing to show writers how to turn a dissertation into a book that an audience will actually enjoy, whether reading on a page or a screen. Germano also explores other, often overlooked, options for dissertations, such as journal articles or chapters in an edited work. With clear directions, engaging examples, and an eye for the idiosyncrasies of academic writing, From Dissertation to Book reveals to recent PhDs the secrets of careful and thoughtful revision - a skill that will be truly invaluable as they add "author" to their curriculum vitae.
Reviews / Votes
"With insight, compassion, and wit, William Germano has done all dissertation writers (and dissertation supervisors) a great service. This book should be handed to the candidate at the conclusion of all doctoral defenses." (Eric Foner, Columbia University)"More details
Series
Edition
Second Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago
United States
Publishing group
The University of Chicago Press
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
194 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-226-06204-4 (9780226062044)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

William Germano
From Dissertation to Book
E-Book
12/2022
2nd Edition
University of Chicago Press
€18.18
Available for download
Previous edition
William Germano
From Dissertation to Book
Book
04/2005
University of Chicago Press
€13.62
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
William Germano is dean of the faculty of humanities and social sciences and professor of English literature at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Previously, he served as editor in chief at Columbia University Press and vice president and publishing director at Routledge.