From Dissertation to Book: How Scholars Can Transform Their Research into a Compelling Academic Narrative
5 Strategies to Move from Dissertation Thinking to Book Narrative
This is competent, insightful research, but how do I make it readable, engaging, and publishable?
Why Don’t Dissertations Automatically Become Books?
It seems like it would be simple to convert a book-length dissertation into an actual book. The reason this is not so simple is that dissertations are often too dense.
They’re chapter-heavy, narrowly focused on a particular topic and written in academic-ese, a style that works inside an institution and a specific discipline, but struggles with a broader audience. Dissertations frequently lack a cohesive narrative to appeals to and makes sense for an broader audience.
Not only are dissertation frequently too dense, but for writers, there is also a gap between dissertation thinking (writing in a discipline for a committee) and book thinking (writing topically for different people from varied places).
Not to worry, there are specific things YOU can do to move your dissertation to a book.
What YOU Can Do To Move Your Dissertation-to- Book
Reframe your dissertation chapters as narrative arcs.
Focus on the central argument (or thesis) that drives the book
Cater your message for the audience
Condense or adapt method-heavy sections
This is where I come in. I can help you develop your work into a book for a broader audience.
Moving from a “Stuck” Dissertation Writer to Confident Book Author
As an academic book coach, I can help you reframe your dissertation chapters into narrative arcs by helping you identify the story your research tells. Together we can identify what intervention, change, or contribute becomes visible through your work.
Together we can develop your focus on the central argument or theme that drives the work, by articulating a common, credible through line (as opposed to research questions and sub-question).
I can work with you cater your message to a target audience beyond the limits of your institution by helping you clarify whether you are writing for scholars in your field, multiple disciplines or a broader readership. I will help you define that audience and adjust jargon and theoretical framing to meet readers where they are.
To move that dissertation to a book, I will work with you to adapt method-heavy chapters by condensing technical details, moving extraneous information to appendices, and highlight the INSIGHTS of your methods as opposed to the procedures you undertook during your research. I will help you eliminate and adapt justification language (used to prove you know your stuff to your dissertation committee) to showcase how your methods help you make the argument and contribute to the through line of the book.
Working with an academic editor, like me, would begin with your book proposal, even before revisions to the dissertation in order to clarify through line, scope, and contribution. Working on the book together we would also:
develop a working title (and conduct a title analysis to position the book in the market and refine the overall argument/pitch)
create a plan to revise (where to cut, adapt, expand)
generate a working plan around your introduction and first chapter to include in your book proposal and appeal to acquisitions editors
produce a writing schedule to fit your working life and shift from student to author
The largest benefit of you working with an academic book coach is to keep your momentum for your project and writing by drafting a book-project rather than endlessly revising an old dissertation text.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact me for academic book coaching today.
works with doctoral candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty to move their work from stalled drafts to polished, submission-ready projects through thoughtful, hands-on support for writing and public presentation.