Academic Book Writing Simplified with Jane Joann Jones

In this episode, Jane breaks down the three systems that every scholar writing an academic book needs: a system to manage your writing process, a system to manage your planning, and a system to manage your mindset. A writing system will help you get ideas out of your head and onto the page in clearly-written, structured prose. A project management system fit or establishing your publication timeline, setting milestones to keep on track, and turning those milestones into daily tasks.A mindset system is invaluable if you want to manage your fears and concerns about writing, including your self doubt that you're capable of writing a book, fear of negative feedback, and worries that you won't complete your book on time.Tune in as Jane explains each of these systems and how you can incorporate each of them into your writing processFurther Listening: #33: The Three Pillars of Successful Book Planning#22: How Academics Can Make a Summer Writing Plan That Actually WorksIf you want to work with Jane to write your academic book, check out Book Brilliance: rightprose.co/book-brilliance

A postdoc can seem like a great opportunity to write an academic book. After all, you have so much uninterrupted time where you can do deep work on a long project. If you have to go back on the job market, however, you might be wondering if writing your academic book is the best strategic choice. Like everything else, it depends on your goals. In today's episode, Jane answers a question she was asked: "Should I devote my postdoc to working on my book?" She goes through what factors you should consider to determine what the pros and cons of focusing on your book might be. While the question here is specifically about postdocs, the advice will be relevant for anyone making a decision about the timing of their next writing project. 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance-live/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In today’s episode, Jane is joined by Dr. Allison Daminger, Assistant Professor of Sociology at University of Wisconsin. She is the author of the new book, What’s on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life. Allison is also an alumni of Jane’s book coaching program, Elevate (now known as Book Brilliance), where she worked on her book.Tune in to learn: ➡️ How coaching helped Allison bust the myths she was believing about how much time it takes to write a book. ➡️ The three techniques she used to write a book that her “best friend from college” and other non-experts would find engaging. ➡️  What was required to transform her dissertation into a book (hint: it’s more than what you think). To learn more about Allison, visit https://www.allisondaminger.comTo get her book, click below:What’s on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life

Self-efficacy in academia isn't just about mindset—it's about recognizing structural barriers while reclaiming agency in your writing process. Jane interviews Kel Weinhold, co-owner of The Professor Is In, to explore how self-efficacy shapes your academic book project, why systemic constraints make it harder for some scholars (especially Black women and other minoritized academics), and practical strategies to build control over your writing despite institutional obstacles.If you’re a junior scholar who is struggling to say no to requests or you feel as if you’re constantly overworking, this episode is for you. To learn more about Kel, visit theprofessorisin.com or send an email to [email protected] Listening: Episode #6: “Boundaries are Values In Action”💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Join Jane as she celebrates a year of podcasting and shares the lessons she’s learned while embarking on a brand-new, long-term project. Podcasting is similar to writing a book in important ways, and in this episode you’ll discover some key principles for thinking about long-term projects, staying consistent, and setting up systems for success. This podcast would not exist without YOU! Thank you for listening!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

On today’s podcast, Jane welcomes Laura Portwood-Stacer to the podcast to discuss her new book, Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers. Laura is the founder of Manuscript Works, a writing consultancy with a mission to help scholars achieve clarity and confidence in their published work. She offers straightforward, empathetic feedback that takes the guesswork out of scholarly book publishing and makes her clients feel that they can get their books out into the world and feel proud of the results.During the episode, Jane and Laura discuss why Laura decided to write this book, how the book can help scholarly writers with the hard work of revision, and what the book can do to help scholarly writers feel less anxiety about the writing process. Highlights of their conversation include: ➡️ How romanticizing the book writing process can make writers eschew developing systems.➡️ Why thinking of manuscript development as a cycle can limit discouragement about writing multiple drafts. ➡️ What you should be thinking about before you worry about accessibility. From the three-stage manuscript developmental cycle, to the four pillars of scholarly writing, and finally the ten most common opportunities for development, Make Your Manuscript Work prevents a clear, actionable system for turning your rough draft into a publishable book. You can learn more about Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers by visiting manuscriptworks.com/bookTo learn more about Laura, visit manuscriptworks.com 💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In today’s episode, Jane discusses what scholarly writers are really looking for when they say they need accountability. While accountability is essential for strong communities, there can also be a risk in always relying on others to maintain writing momentum. ➡️ The difference between fostering reciprocal accountability in a community and using accountability selfishly. ➡️ Why constantly looking for accountability can erode your self-trust. ➡️ How examining your reasons for looking for accountability can expose how you think about yourself as a writer. 💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In this episode, Jane shares an exciting announcement about a new program called Fundamentals of Academic Book Writing. Learn everything you need to know about the program, including: ➡️ Why Jane decided to create this program and offer it now➡️ The features of the program➡️ Who Fundamentals is for➡️ What you’ll gain if you enrollYou’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Jane coached herself to offer a course unlike anything she’s offered before. 💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

If you’re starting to write an academic book, you probably have a lot of questions. One of them might be, “how exactly do I get started?” You have a lot of options, but some paths are going to prove to be more productive than others. If you want to start in a way that sets you up for success throughout your writing journey, then this episode is for you.In today’s episode, Jane is going to discuss three common approaches scholars take when starting to write their academic books, and the pitfalls of each approach. Then, she’ll show you a better way to start your book that will give you greater clarity and a sense of direction throughout the writing process. Even if you’ve already started your book but you feel like you’re writing in circles or having a lot of false starts, you can use this approach to get back on track. Further listening: Episode 24: Behind the Scenes: The Book Brilliance Walkthrough 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

What’s required to create a solid book writing plan? What do you need to know to make sure that you can actually execute the plan that you make? Planning isn’t always easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you are ready to make a writing plan, or feeling discouraged about the plan you have, this episode is for you. Jane is going to introduce you to the three essential pillars of successful book planning. Once you learn these three pillars and then begin to use the skills in each, planning will become way less frustrating and much more rewarding. 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Are you struggling to get work done during the time you’ve scheduled to write? Do you walk away from a writing session feeling like your time would have been better spent watching water boil? It’s frustrating to protect your time then feel like you have nothing to show for it. In today’s episode, Jane is going to share three strategies for bringing more focus to your writing sessions. With a combination of careful planning and attention to how you think about writing, you’ll be able to leave your writing sessions feeling satisfied with your progress. Grab a notebook, because you’ll be able to put these three strategies into action as soon as you’re done listening. 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

If you're writing an academic book in the humanities or social sciences, you might feel like the stakes are high when it comes to nailing your introductory chapter. How do you pique your readers’ interest while laying the foundation for a complex argument? What can you do to make sure you give the reader the appropriate amount of context without inundating them with details?  In this episode of Academic Book Writing Simplified, Jane breaks down the four essential elements your introductory chapter needs to make a strong, confident start. She’ll discuss: The central research question or problemYour core argument or interventionThe broader stakes of your projectA clear, inviting roadmap for the rest of the bookWhether you're rewriting your introductory chapter for the umpteenth time or  starting from scratch, this episode offers practical guidance to help you clarify your voice and connect with your readers from the first page.📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In this episode, Jane addresses one of the most commonly asked questions from academic writers who are turning their dissertations into scholarly books: What should I do with the literature review?As you transition from dissertation to book, it's crucial to rethink how you approach the literature review. While your dissertation’s literature review may have been long and detailed, the introduction chapter of your book requires a much more concise and analytical approach. The goal is not to summarize every source but to critically engage with the existing scholarship in a way that sets up the argument for your own work.Jane will explore how to condense your literature review by focusing on key themes that align with your book’s argument, rather than simply listing every study you referenced. You'll learn how to shift from a summary of existing research to a thoughtful analysis that shows where your work fits in the broader scholarly conversation.She’ll also share practical tips for revising your literature review, such as 💡How to organize your analysis thematically 🎁How to position your work as a valuable contribution to the field✂️How to cut unnecessary details By the end of the episode, you'll have a clear strategy for integrating a discussion of the literature into the introduction of your scholarly book in a way that is compelling and seamless.If you're ready to tackle your book’s introduction with confidence, this episode is for you!📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In this second episode of our series on book introductions, Jane answers the question of timing for book introductions. When is the best time to write the introduction? Should you do it first, or wait until you’ve written the entire book? This question covers a few issues: workflow, mindset, and organization. Tune in to today’s episode to learn: The real question you’re asking if you ask when to write your introduction. Three different options for organizing your thoughts in preparation for writing the book. What you should know before writing your introduction.  📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them! ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Your academic book’s introduction is your first opportunity to make an impression on your reader. It’s natural that you’d be worried about writing it well. One aspect of the introduction that authors tend to fixate on is length. How long should your introduction be? In today’s episode, which is the first of a series on book introductions, Jane will discuss length. If you’re worried that your introduction will be too long or too short, after this episode you’ll know how to make the length just right. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why asking how long your introduction should be isn’t the right question, and what you should be asking instead. The value of looking at other books as examples, and how to approach that process strategically. How to understand the length of your introduction in the context of the length of your entire book, rather than treating the introduction as its own project. Make sure to have a notebook handy, because you’re going to get a cheatsheet for thinking about how to approach your introduction. Books discussed: Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers, They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American SouthKellie Carter Jackson, We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black ResistanceAlexandra Freidus. Unequal Lessons: School Diversity and Educational Inequality in New York CityYuki Kato. Gardens of Hope: Cultivation Food and the Future in a Post-Disaster City📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

As you start writing this summer, you might be feeling pressure to “get it right the first time.” After all, you have a lot to catch up on, right? In this replay of our most popular episode, Jane discusses how and why you should treat your writing like a dress rehearsal. Embracing a sense of experimentation and curiosity can help you unlock your creativity.  You’ll also learn how to practice patience for your own unique writing process.  Grab your headphones and tune in so you can start your summer writing with a sense of excitement for what’s to come. 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In today’s episode, Jane talks to Dr. Brittany Fox-Williams, an alum of the Elevate (now known as Book Brilliance) coaching program. Dr. Fox-Williams is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Lehman College, City University of New York. She is also part of the Sociology Doctoral Faculty at the Graduate Center at City University of New York. Her forthcoming book examines the role of trust in student-educator relationships, the salience of trust for student outcomes, and racial differences in trust among youth. Tune in to hear: How Brittany used the coaching in Book Brilliance to “hack” academia and figure out her role as a woman of color.The curriculum Brittany used to read strategically and start writing sooner. Why Brittany joined at the end of her third year on the tenure track, and how that decision aligned with her strategic goals. Brittany’s advice for applying for grants (as one of three Book Brilliance alums who secured fellowships at the Russell Sage Foundation).💎Book Brilliance is open for summer enrollment! To learn more about the program and apply to join, click here: rightprose.co/book-brilliance/ ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In today’s episode, Jane has a conversation with Dr. Yalidy Matos, an alum of the Elevate book coaching program. Dr. Matos is an Associate Professor of Political Science, a Russell Sage Foundation Fellow,  and the author of Moral and Immoral Whiteness in Immigration Politics. Tune in to hear: The resources from the program that Yalidy returns to again and againWhy Yalidy thinks the program is a unique space for minoritized faculty. How the curriculum helped Yalidy write and confirm her ideas faster.Yalidy’s recommendations for getting creative to find funding to pay for professional development💎Book Brilliance is open for summer enrollment! To learn more about the program and apply to join, click here: rightprose.co/book-brilliance/✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Join Jane for a look at the Book Brilliance program. In today’s episode, you will learn exactly what happens in the program, the types of goals you can achieve, and why working with a group is essential to your success. We’ll cover: What you can expect in the first two weeks, one month, and sixty days of the program. How our three-pronged approach helps you develop your writing craft, project management skills, and mindset.Jane’s counterintuitive approach to planning, and how you’ll learn that approach in Book Brilliance. The ways in which we reject generalized coaching in favor of helping you develop a personalized approach to achieving your goals. Further listening: Episode 23: Behind the Scenes: How Developmental Editing Works in Book Brilliance💎Book Brilliance is open for summer enrollment! To learn more about the program and apply to join, click here: rightprose.co/book-brilliance/✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Elevate has a new name! In today’s episode, Jane is joined by Kali Handelman. Kali is the developmental editor for Book Brilliance. She has her eyes on every single piece of writing reviewed in the program, and she’s here to discuss what you can expect when you have your work edited. Jane and Kali discuss: How we define developmental editingHow developmental editing helps you develop and refine the big ideas in your bookThe most common concerns writers have about their work, and how we address them. The benefits of submitting short passages for developmental editingUsing developmental editing to establish a writing paceWhy we deliver feedback in two different ways, and how the methods complement one another. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be in one of Jane’s book-writing programs, this episode gives you all the details. 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting https://rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them! ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Do you always start your summer with grand ambitions, only to look back at the end of the summer and realize you only finished half of what you planned? If you’re ready to stop making unrealistic plans, this episode is for you. Here’s what Jane will discuss: 💡The thoughts that are driving you to make unrealistic plans: “I need to catch up,” “I should write all day,” and “I should work on everything” — and how to change them. 💡The two goals you should set so you can determine if your writing plans are realistic. 💡Why having a restful summer is important, especially right now. Further listening: Episode 13: Why Waiting for a Sabbatical to Write Your Book Could Be Holding You Back 📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Elevate by visiting rightprose.co/elevate/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them! ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

To say that people working in academia are living through tumultuous times would be an understatement. You might be facing current circumstances and wondering if writing a book is worth your time. In today’s episode, Jane takes a very candid look at the current landscape of academia to help you decide how to think about your scholarship and career. She’ll give you some ways to contextualize the current moment and questions to consider so you can make well-informed, intentional decisions about your future. Additional Resources: Episode 12: Why I Quit My Tenure-Track Job to Become an Academic Book Writing CoachGreer, Christina. “Black Americans Are Not Surprised by What Trump’s Doing.” New York Times. April 7, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/opinion/black-americans-trump-politics.html📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Elevate by visiting rightprose.co/elevate/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them! ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

There are some strong opinions in academia about the merits of academic editing. In today’s episode, Jane discusses the perception that working with an editor is “cheating” or an indication that you’re not a serious scholar. She addresses some biases and misconceptions about what happens when a writer works with an editor, and breaks down how these misconceptions can hurt junior scholars, especially if they are members of minoritized groups. Further listening: Episode 19: How working with an editor can help you write your academic book Resources: Guarino, C.M., Borden, V.M.H. Faculty Service Loads and Gender: Are Women Taking Care of the Academic Family?. Res High Educ 58, 672–694 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-017-9454-2📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them! ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Have you ever worked with an editor? Does the process of working with one feel like a mystery? In today’s episode, Jane is going to pull back the curtain and explain how academics can work with editors to improve their writing. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why academics work with editorsThe different types of editing available to academic writersThe pros and cons of working with an editor to improve your academic bookHow working with an editor can help you avoid time-consuming mistakes and finish your academic book more efficientlyFurther Listening: Episode 17: You Need Feedback While Writing Your Academic Book: Here’s How You Get ItFurther Resources: Blog post: What Kind of Feedback Do You Need When Writing an Academic Book? https://rightprose.co/what-kind-of-feedback-do-you-need-when-writing-an-academic-book/ 📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favorite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Do you know how long it will take to write your academic book? I don’t mean how long it took your friend with the cushy postdoc or how long you wish it will take - I mean how long it will actually take. The reality is that most people don’t. If you don’t know now, it’s your responsibility to figure it out as soon as possible. That’s why in this episode, Jane breaks down how long it REALLY takes to write a book, and the factors that you should consider when making your personal timeline. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Three reasons you’re confused about how long it takes to write an academic book. My 4-step process for creating your personalized book writing timeline.📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!💌 Subscribe to the Right Prose newsletter where you’ll get more actionable tips for writing your brilliant, publication-worthy book: https://rightprose.co/✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Good feedback is an invaluable resource for academics writing books, but how do you get it? In today’s episode, Jane gives you a primer on the importance of feedback and how to ask for feedback that will help you make progress. She covers: Why feedback is so important (hint: it’s not just to have eyes on your work)Why you might hesitate to ask for feedbackSeveral low-stakes approaches to getting feedbackFurther listening: Episode #14: How to Create a Consistent Writing Practice📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

With any piece of academic writing, you are going to write multiple drafts. The question is, how many? In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss the writing and revision process to determine how many drafts it will take to get you to a publication-ready book.Tune into today’s episode to learn: The work that each draft should do in your revision process.Why you should ALWAYS have an intention or plan when you revise.A tough but true reminder of what will truly determine how many drafts you can write. Further listening: Episode #5: Your Dissertation Isn’t the First Draft of Your BookEpisode #10: Treat Your Writing Like a Dress Rehearsal📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Are you wondering when along your tenure-track journey you should write your academic book? Do you think you have to “clear the decks” to gain traction in your book writing? In this episode, I’m going to show you that the right time to write your book is the time you make for writing it. Tune in to learn how to align your writing goals with your timeline, my 3-step process for identifying the right time to write your book, and how to incorporate time to write your book into your publication pipeline. By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to confidently make decisions about when to write your book with less worry and confusion. Further listening: Episode 2: You Don’t Need Permission to Prioritize Your BookEpisode 9: The Simple Math of Writing a Book📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Are you concerned that you aren’t working on your book often enough? In today’s episode, I’m teaching you how to create a consistent book writing practice. Tune in to learn how to create a realistic schedule, why you’re probably being too hard on yourself about the frequency of your writing, and what to do when you hit a roadblock. Be sure to listen with a notebook in hand because there will be plenty of tips you can implement as soon as the episode is over. 📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Many academics treat a sabbatical like a magic solution for finishing their book—but is that really the best approach? In this episode, I’m breaking down the myths around sabbaticals and what it actually takes to make real progress on your academic book. Grab your headphones and your notebook because in this episode we’re getting to work. We’re going to discuss: ➡️ Why you should diversify your writing time ➡️ The danger of pinning all of your hopes on a sabbatical➡️ How to make the most of your sabbatical (hint: it requires to you get serious before the sabbatical starts)Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode #6: “Boundaries are Values in Action”📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Ever wondered what it really takes to leave academia and build a business of your own? In this episode, I’m getting personal and sharing my story of leaving a tenure-track job to start my own coaching business. Tune in to hear: How my early doubts about academia laid the foundation for my choice to leave Why I felt like I “had to” get a tenure-track job before taking a different pathHow an unexpected lesson in a writing group influenced the current structure of my business If you’ve ever thought about what it would take to leave a tenure-track position and set out on your own, this episode is for you. Additional Resources: 🎧Check out my episode on Cathy Mazak’s podcast, Academic Writing Amplified. https://scholarsvoice.org/podcast/choosing-to-leave-academia-and-create-something-new-an-interview-with-jane-jones/📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Ready to finally start writing your book - with clear and actionable guidance? In this episode, I’m reintroducing the podcast (we’ve had a glow up!) and sharing what you can expect this season, plus the practical strategies that have helped over 100 academics get their books written. Tune in to learn: Why so much academic book writing advice is overly complicated.How you can break through the gatekeeping around academic publishing and learn how to write your academic book with clear, honest, and helpful guidance. How you can use proven strategies that have worked for over 100 book writers to stop worrying and start writing.📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/📲 Let’s Connect! Say hi on BlueSky and share your favourite gem from this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts!💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Have you ever stared at a blank page for what seemed like hours? Do you feel slightly nauseous at the prospect of sharing your work with others? Many academics are afraid to put their words on paper. You might be one of them! In today’s episode, Jane will explain where that fear comes from and how to mitigate it. If you’ve been delaying sharing your work, or writing it in the first place, this episode is a must listen. Resources: The Right Prose website: www.rightprose.co📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/Connect with me on Instagram✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. Allen, David. 2023. “Hilary Hahn Practices in Public, Wherever and However She Is.” The New York Times. March 14https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/arts/music/hilary-hahn-violin-practice.html

In part 2 of this 2-part micro-series, Jane will show you how to accurately assess the progress you’re making, so you don’t succumb to fear or feel overwhelmed by your work. You’ll learn the most important factors you should consider in gauging your progress. Then, you’ll learn how to use these factors to evaluate some common thought patterns that can help or hinder your work. If you tend to create a lot of drama in your head about writing, take a listen to this episode. If you haven’t listened to the first part of this micro-series, go back: Episode 8: Are you weaponizing your productivity? Resources: The Right Prose website: www.rightprose.co📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/Connect with me on Instagram✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

There’s a lot of noise in academia about productivity. You’re likely bombarded with opinions about how much time you should be writing, how many publications you should produce each year, and how you’re “wasting” your time on mentoring, service, and teaching. In today’s episode — the first of a 2-part microseries — Jane explains how and why you’re using the language of productivity to punish yourself and set unrealistic expectations. She’ll also teach you how to think about your progress with more compassion. If you’ve been beating yourself up for being “slow,” this episode is for you. Resources: The Right Prose website: www.rightprose.co📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/Connect with me on Instagram✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

What does the way you think about your writing have to do with the way you leverage the secondary literature in your work? A lot! In today’s episode, I’m going to tell you what I see as the three most common approaches to citing the secondary literature, and the thought you have about your writing that is most likely motivating that approach. Then, I’ll describe what your approach looks like on the page. By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to identify your approach and if necessary, correct it so you can engage the secondary literature in a more sophisticated way. Resources: The Right Prose website: www.rightprose.co📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/Connect with me on Instagram✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Are you regularly giving your writing time away? Do you find it hard to say no to requests for your energy and effort? If you answered yes, then it might be time to reassess your boundaries. In this episode, Jane will explain how tapping into your values will help you protect your boundaries. She’ll also teach you a simple way to understand the relationship between your values and your boundaries. If you’re ready to reclaim your time so you can work and rest in ways that are fulfilling, you won’t want to miss this episode. Resources: The Right Prose website: www.rightprose.co📝 Do you want to write a publication-worthy book without having to work twice as hard as your peers? Learn how we can work together at rightprose.co/book-brilliance/Connect with me on Instagram✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Do you believe that writing your first academic book is going to be as simple as “revising your dissertation”? In today’s episode, Jane discusses how the prevalent but pernicious advice to “revise your dissertation” actually stifles your book writing process and creates unnecessary stress. She’ll cover the reasons why revising your dissertation is an unrealistic goal, how you should approach writing your book, and the real role that your dissertation will play in the process. ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Have you ever agonized over selecting a project management software? Do you peek around Scrivener every so often, only to abandon it because it’s too confusing to get started? Staying organized can seem like an intractable problem if you’re an academic writer. It’s tempting to think that there’s a tool out there to solve all of your organization desires. In today’s episode, Jane is going to discuss why academics get hung up on finding the perfect tool, and why there should be a focus on systems instead. The good news is that once you create a reliable system, you’ll remove the guesswork in selecting a tool that works. ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

In this episode, we delve into the challenges and strategies of claiming your expert energy as a woman in academia writing a book. We explore why it’s crucial to embrace your expertise during the writing process and how to do so effectively, even when self-doubt creeps in. From leveraging existing evidence of your expertise to seeking support from a community of peers, this episode provides actionable tips to help you write with confidence and authority. Whether you’re struggling with imposter syndrome or simply need a boost in self-assurance, this episode is here to guide you on your journey to owning your expert status.✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

​​In this episode, Jane tackles the common issue of permission-seeking in academic writing, especially among scholars socialized as women. Many academics find themselves constantly deferring their book-writing time to meet the needs of others, ultimately putting their own projects on the back burner. Jane explores the reasons behind this behavior and provides practical steps to help you reclaim your time and prioritize your book-writing process. By setting boundaries, deciding in advance when to write, and learning to say "no," you can take control of your schedule and ensure that your book gets the attention it deserves.✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

Across the humanities and social sciences, many faculty are expected to write an academic book to earn tenure. Yet, even though this is a job requirement, the structure of academic life creates many obstacles to successfully achieving this goal. In today’s episode, Jane is going to break down some of the challenges academics face while trying to write a book. In doing so, she’ll dispel some of the myths about how easy or fast it’s supposed to be to write a book. ✉️ Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers.