Academic books can be quite challenging to publish. Mainly, new authors find it hard to get their foot in the door. Book agents often look for sure bets. This stacks the odds against most aspiring authors. As such, some authors turn to self-publishing as a means of getting their work out there.
In general, self-publishing a book is an alternative to going through all of the hoops and ladders that come with traditional publishing. As such, we will explore four tips for self-publishing an academic book. These tips will help you make the most out of your opportunity.
- Building a Brand
Most self-published authors do so to build a brand. While making money from book sales is nice, the main objective is to build a brand. After all, writing a good book builds street credit. Consequently, publishing a book is all about building a reputation in a respective field. Over time, this endeavor is like building a brand. Successful authors become recognized in their field. Ultimately, this process leads to establishing credibility as an authority.
- Raising Awareness for a Topic
On the whole, academic books intend to raise awareness on a given topic. Often, the research seeks to shed light on a problem by presenting plausible solutions. Therefore, good academic books shed light on the topic they cover while providing a possible solution to it. That’s why academic texts should combine problems and solutions. This enables readers to see where the author intends to build their argument, and then see what the author has to offer. By offering a good solution to a problem area, authors can contribute to the overall body of knowledge.
- Utilizing Quantitative Data
Numbers and statistics are go-to parameters in the academic world. While expert opinions are certainly valid, backing up claims with cold, hard data makes the most sense. The fastest way to build credibility is to use official data to support an argument. However, authors need to take great care with “confirmation bias.�? Confirmation bias consists of painting numbers to support a specific claim rather than building claims based on numbers. When confirmation bias sets in, readers may be able to see through the argument. Thus, it’s crucial to ensure that the numbers support the argument every step of the way.
- Making Value Judgments
Value judgments are qualified opinions based on data and experience. An author can make judgments based on available data and professional experience. However, it’s worth considering that value judgments should help support the problem-solution debate highlighted in the book. Otherwise, the argument would become weakened by supporting it on judgments. Please bear in mind that academic texts ought to be impartial at all times. This is what helps authors build credibility. Ultimately, self-publishing an academic text can provide aspiring authors with the opportunity to get their message out there. As such, authors need to ensure their works are verified for any inconsistencies that could lead to serious challenges. Asking colleagues to review materials is often the best way to verify the validity of its content.
