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Publishing Outside the Box: Popular Press Books

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Abstract

Writing and publishing popular press books requires a set of skills, not natural to basic and applied researchers trained to publish in peer-referred behavior analytic journals or to practice behavior analysis in applied settings. This article provides suggestions and examples. These include finding a distinctive idea, securing a contract, hiring an agent (or not), deciding on a publisher, and writing engagingly for a broad audience. The last is the greatest challenge. Among my recommendations are to read good prose, good models, and good books about publishing; talk to experienced colleagues; read aloud to judge the appropriateness of your vocabulary and style; and interject humor, imagery, and drama. Book publishing is a long and difficult process, but it is possible. It has a great potential for bringing behavior analytic research, practice and theory to the attention of the general public.

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References

  • Brewer, R. L. (2013). 2013 writer’s market. Blue Ash: Writer’s Digest Books.

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  • Mitchell, H. (2013, July 16). Self-published book success stories: How writers used free tools to get their books noticed. The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323475304578501390745524694.html

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  • Vyse, S. (2013). Believing in magic: The psychology of superstition (updated ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. (Original published in 1997).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Connecticut College, Box 5621, 270 Mohegan Ave, New London, CT, 06320-4196, USA

    Stuart Vyse

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  1. Stuart Vyse
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Correspondence to Stuart Vyse.

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Vyse, S. Publishing Outside the Box: Popular Press Books. BEHAV ANALYST 37, 69–72 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-014-0013-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-014-0013-2

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