Are you thinking of creating an anthology (collection) of hitherto unpublished nonfiction articles? Here you become an editor and you can reserve the right to create a preface and conclusion and even include a few of your own epic manuscripts.
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Are you thinking of creating an anthology (collection) of hitherto unpublished nonfiction articles? Here you become an editor and you can reserve the right to create a preface and conclusion and even include a few of your own epic manuscripts. In this paper, it is assumed that your proposal has been accepted by a recognized academic publisher. Naturally, subject matter in a collection should reflect a central theme and this needs to be socially responsible.
How can you collect the articles and what pitfalls might you need to avoid?
When it comes to collecting articles, you will need to be involved in some activity which brings you in touch with professionals who are qualified to write in the subject area. In some cases, this might be the faculty members at your place of employment. Otherwise, the Internet is a positive force, for you can easily apply to and join any number of organizations which are active in any of many areas of interest.
Once you interact with people in a group for at least one or two years, you will have an idea of potential writers for your book and request their input. It’s wise to send an appeal to everyone in the group, but this can result in problems if you must reject ideas from one or more members. Remember, rejection is as necessary as it is personal.
Here is the problem, especially if you are personally acquainted with potential authors. You want as much input as required. For example, you may be working with a publisher which requires that your book have at least 200,000 words. At the same time, you are loathe to just accept anything in your quest to fulfill this requirement. (Have patience. In time, a collection will enlarge to fill the needs. Since you are on deadline, this will have to end.)
Next, you need to have a standard to judge the submissions you receive and it’s always bad practice to only base acceptance on friendship qualities or your personal reactions. Instead, nonfiction publishers agree that peer review is the answer. Here you send each article to at least three reviewers and ask them to fill out a set of guidelines regarding qualities that you’d like them to review. All of this is done anonymously, so when the reviews are done they can be sent in part to the author in a revision request. That way you can motivate revisions without unwittingly stepping into areas of personal or professional conflict.
Sadly, it is not easy to obtain reviews without offering a reward. However, when the authors are professionals, you will find that your contributing authors will accept your challenge to help the publication by reviewing the works of other authors.
Further, of course, you will want to do your own reviewing and make your own corrections, again with the consent of the originating author. By the time you are done, there should be no surprises among authors as to the final form their article will take. Remember, these articles are going into print with their authorship in front and it is essential to restrict the book to content which they approve. (Unlike online publication, you cannot revise a print book after it has been purchased.)
Throughout this process you are privileged to act as a creative leader as well as an editor. Manuscript acquisition and peer review are time consuming but rewarding. It’s important to remember the importance of your current work with a view to future projects which are likely to grow from your efforts.
(To publish a copy of this article, please write me at the same address and I will be happy to oblige.)
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