
Writing It!
"Writing It! The Podcast About Academics & Writing" dives deep into the world of academic writing and publishing. Join us for conversations with academics and editors as we discuss challenges, strategies, and insights from our writing lives. As we share our experiences and helpful hacks, we make the process of writing and getting published a bit more transparent and a bit less overwhelming.
Latest episodes

Oct 9, 2023 • 50min
Episode 08: Writing as a practice for self-understanding
A conversation with Yale University Lex Hixon Professor of Religious Studies and American Studies and Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean of Humanities, Kathryn Lofton about the purposes and challenges of writing while working in higher education administration.
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Sep 26, 2023 • 51min
Episode 07: Finally! Insightful, concrete advice for your job market writing materials
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

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 12min
Episode 06: Behind-the-Scenes of a First Book & a New Journal
Today, Professor Jenny Caplan talks with us about her process of turning dissertation into book, and what she learned about writing along the way. Also, Professor Sarah Imhoff talks with us about starting a new academic journal; what it means to be on an editorial board; co-authoring; and her tips for writing a better journal article.
Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
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Aug 28, 2023 • 1h 1min
Episode 05: An Editor's Perspective - Elaine Maisner, UNC Press
Having worked in academic publishing for almost 40 years, Elaine Maisner shares wisdom from the field about finding the right press and how authors can best present their work to book editors.
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Aug 14, 2023 • 43min
Episode 04: "What is it all for?" The challenge of finding a writing motivation after the first book with Professor Martin Kavka
Martin Kavka, a professor at FSU, talks with us about finding the motivation to write; the role of friendships in academic writing; and revising the rules of tenure and promotion to better accommodate the non-book writers among us.
https://religion.fsu.edu/person/martin-kavka
Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
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Jul 31, 2023 • 44min
Episode 03: An Editor’s Perspective - Jennifer Banks
Yale University Press Senior Editor Jennifer Banks talks with us about how editing helped her understand what kind of book she wanted to write. Banks also talks about best practices for approaching an editor with your book manuscript. And, once your book has gone through the review process, what to keep in mind while writing your response to readers’ reports.
Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
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Jul 17, 2023 • 58min
Episode 02: Unlearning Academic Writing Tics and Reaching a Broader Audience
Today, we’re speaking with Professor Brett Krutzsch and Professor Pamela Nadell about writing for a "beyond the academy" audience. Dr. Brett Krutzsch is the author of "Dying to Be Normal: Gay Martyrs and the Transformation of American Sexual Politics" and Coordinator of NYU’s Center for Religion and Media where he serves as Editor of the online magazine "The Revealer" and teaches in the Department of Religious Studies. Krutzsch talks with us about editing The Revealer and his evolving understanding of the role of writing and publishing in his life. Dr. Pamela Nadell is Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women's and Gender History Department of History at American University and is the author of "America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today", winner of the 2019 National Jewish Book Award—Jewish Book of the Year. She is currently writing a book about the history of American antisemitism. Nadell shares her experiences of learning to write for a larger audience and the kind of editorial feedback she receives at a trade press.
Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
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Jul 1, 2023 • 56min
Episode 01: Choosing Literary Non-Fiction... And All That Comes With It
Our guest this week is Maggie Doherty, English Ph.D., teacher, New Yorker writer, and author of The Equivalents: A Story of Art, Female Friendship, and Liberation in the 1960s (https://maggiedohertyauthor.com). Doherty tells us about discovering her writing path in literary non-fiction after embarking on a doctorate in English. In addition to sharing her experiences with book proposals, agents, and writing deadlines, Doherty discusses the pragmatic considerations in choosing to write trade-press, non-fiction, and the challenges of creating a career around writing and teaching.
Thank you for listening.
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