Writing It!

We're speaking with philosopher and writer John Kaag, who is chair and professor of philosophy at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Kaag specializes in American philosophy. In addition to several books, Kaag's writing has been published in The Paris Review, The New York Times, The American Scholar, and Harper's. We talk about learning to write again after tenure; what it means to develop a voice and why that is particularly helpful in writing for trade; moving past writer's block and bringing our personal experiences into our writing. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

We’re talking with Joanna Sliwa, a historian of the Holocaust and Polish Jewish history about her co-written book, *The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman Who Rescued Thousands of Poles During the Holocaust* about turning a historical memoir into a trade book. We talk about Sliwa’s experience with a co-writer, agent, the trade press book proposal, considering potential editors and trade presses, book tour, and book publicity. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

We’re talking to Columbia University Professor of History Rebecca Kobrin about writing her most recent book, Credit to the Nation: Eastern European Jewish Immigrant Bankers and the Shaping of American Finance, 1873–1930, and about putting individuals at the center of our histories. We also talk about how leading walking tours leads to writing better histories, and Kobrin’s involvement in the online Mapping Historic New York project. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Jeff Kopstein, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, talks with us about putting together a compelling application for academic jobs. We talk not only about assistant professorship applications, but about the shift in tone and content for associate and full professorship applications. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

We’re speaking with Elissa Sampson, Research Associate in Cornell University’s Jewish Studies program about entering the academy writing game when you’re in your fifties, and the challenges and deep satisfactions of co-editing a volume that draws on your own university’s archives. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

We're speaking with Claudia Rizzini of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University about the institute's fellowships. We speak about what they're looking for in potential fellows, who does the selecting, what stage the proposed project should be, and where applicants make mistakes in their applications. We also talk about what the institute requires of its fellows, in terms of residence and attendance at events, as well as the freedoms of this particular fellowship, and how applicants can best make the case for themselves. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

We’re speaking with Laura Portwood-Stacer, Ph.D., publishing consultant, developmental editor, and author of The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors) and [Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers], both published by Princeton University Press. We talk about the importance of clarifying your argument as a way to show the value of your book. We also talk about the challenges of turning a dissertation into book; the many meanings of “platform” for authors, what a “comparable books” section of a book proposal can do for you; what your title signals to a potential press (even if it ends up changing); how to think about your conversation with a potential editor; why it’s so important to practice talking about your book; why being in marketing mode is really about figuring out how to connect with readers. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

We’re speaking with Princeton University Press publisher, Fred Appel about what distinguishes Princeton University Press and what he and his colleagues look for in the book proposals they receive. We talk about the editor-author relationship, how an academic book can land in the trade/crossover section of a university press; the problem with proposing that your book is for the “general reader”; word count; appropriate time to completion; the advantage of publishing your accessible book with a university press, instead of a trade press; and what make for a great book title. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Ayelet Fishbach, a University of Chicago behavioral scientist and author of Get It Done, explores the science of motivation for academics. They discuss choosing meaningful goals, turning purpose into action, making writing routines sustainable, and staying motivated through feedback and difficult tasks. The conversation also tackles sunk costs, intrinsic motivation, and keeping collaborations productive.

We’re speaking with UNC press editor, Cate Hodorowicz about what she’s looking for; how she knows if a book will work as trade; how to set yourself up for a good book exhibit hall conversation with an editor; how to show you have a robust author platform even if you’re not active on social media; what kinds of honest conversations you can have with a press editor about expectations for the book; and the benefits of being part of a book series. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact