Academic Book Writing Simplified with Jane Joann Jones
Does writing your academic book feel like a complete mystery? Wondering how other scholars find the time to write while juggling teaching, research, and service - when you have been looking at the same page for weeks?
Welcome to Academic Book Writing Simplified - the podcast for women and non-binary scholars who want to cut through the confusion of academic publishing so they can finally write their book with clarity and confidence.
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and finally write the book that establishes your expertise, you’re in the right place.
I’m your host, Jane Joann Jones, PhD, former academic on tenure track turned developmental editor and book writing coach for women of color in academia. I’ve helped over 100 academics publish their book with leading presses including University of Chicago, Duke, Stanford, Rutgers, Oxford, Princeton and Stanford. I want to help you do the same.
This podcast will give you clear, practical answers to your biggest book-writing questions including:
- How do I start writing my academic book?
- How long does it *really* take to write an academic book?
- Can I just revise my dissertation and turn it into a book, or do I need to start from scratch?
- How can I write my book if I don’t feel like an expert?
Each episode busts common myths about academic book writing, exposes the hidden curriculum of scholarly publishing, and gives you actionable strategies so you can make steady progress — without waiting for the perfect time to start.
Ready to demystify the book writing process?
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and share with a fellow academic who’s ready to navigate the path to publication with more ease and less overwhelm.
Learn more about how we can help you become an academic author: https://rightprose.co
Academic Book Writing Simplified with Jane Joann Jones
Episode #30: Reworking Your Dissertation’s Literature Review for a Scholarly Book
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!
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