How to Write for a General Audience

Are you an academic who would like to find a wider audience for your work? Have you ever wondered how colleagues manage to publish thought-provoking magazine articles or books that appear on local bookstore shelves? One component of those colleagues' success is knowing how to simplify their writing and use language that the general reader understands. They also know which publishers to approach and how to pitch their ideas.

In this book, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, a seasoned psychologist with a successful record in publishing for a broad market, shows academics how to communicate their ideas effectively to a wider audience. With humor and personal anecdotes, she provides practical information on coming up with ideas for articles and books, beating procrastination, and writing effective, jargon-free prose.

Most academics know little about the business end of publishing. In this book, they'll find helpful tips on locating a publisher, pitching an idea, working with editors, negotiating a book contract, and promoting one's finished product.

Readers will find that the simple editing techniques in this book dramatically improve their writing and make writing more fun. This book belongs on the shelf of every aspiring crossover author.

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Getting Started: From Idea to First Draft
2. Finding Time to Write: Time Management for Writers
3. Why We Bore: The Seven Deadly Sins of Academic Writing
4. The Art of the Story: How Narrative Nonfiction Can Add Interest to Your Writing
5. Working With Other Writers and Writers' Groups
6. Preparing Your Final Manuscript for Submission
7. The "E" Word: Working Well With Editors
8. Writing Articles for Magazines, Newsletters, and Web Sites
9. Selling Your Book Idea: How to Find a Publisher
10. How to Write and Submit a Book Proposal
11. Sign on the Dotted Line: An Overview of Book Contracts
12. Book Promotion I: Working With a Publicist and the Media
13. Book Promotion II: Seminars and Web Marketing

Some Final Thoughts

References

Index

About the Author